Before and after: Restoration of Riviera's par-4 eighth hole

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In the summer of 2009, Riviera Country Club completed phase II of the restoration of the 433-yard par-4 eighth hole.

The intent of the modifications, directed by Fazio Golf Course Designers, was to restore the 1926 original design intent of George Thomas' "Double Fairway built around a dry wash." In 1939, the original design intent was lost to a strong flood that scoured the "dry wash" along with the right fairway.

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Phase I of the restoration, in 2000, involved restoring the right fairway. Phase II involved restoring the dry wash barranca, which means the players at this year's Northern Trust Open will have plenty of decisions to make when they stand on the tee.

In Thomas' book, Golf Architecture in America, he described three risk-reward tee shot options for this type of hole: 1) short left safe play with a longer second shot; 2) long left heroic play with a shorter second shot; and 3) right fairway for better angle on the second shot. In the first two options, the tee shots required forced carries over the barranca, while in the third option, it's the second shot with the forced carry over the barranca.

To restore the original tee shot options and taking into consideration today's game and agronomic practices, the barranca was completely regraded, which included the removal of the existing trees, to create a sandy creek.

Two bunkers were also added along the right edge of the left fairway to define the long left tee shot. The right fairway slope was increased and the width was slightly narrowed.

The portions of the barranca surrounding the landing zones were grassed with kikuyu, which will be maintained at primary rough height. The other areas out-of-play were grassed with a native bentgrass which will be left un-mowed for the tournament.

Here are photos from before and after the restoration.

BEFORE RESTORATION

AFTER RESTORATION