Have you ever played a golf course with a "theme" bunker?
A theme bunker is one that's shaped into a recognizable symbol, usually one that ties into the course's name, heritage or, college affiliation.
I've seen bunkers shaped like cartoon characters, animal paws...even a human hand.
Here are some of the crazier ones I've come across in my travels -- some of which might leave you shaking your head in disbelief.
Animals
Bear: Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville, Wash., has a bunker complex in the shape of -- what else? -- a bear paw.
Pig: The owners of the Honey Baked Ham Company have a pig-shaped bunker on the 10th hole of their Elk Ridge Golf Course in Atlanta, Mich.
Crab: At the Cedars at Dungeness golf course at the 7 Cedars Resort in Sequim, Wash., "Old Crabby" guards the corner of the third hole, a 490-yard, dogleg right par-five.
Monkey: This one isn't really a bunker as much as a grassy area within a bunker, but it was too unique not to include. You'll find it on the Green Monkey course at Barbados' Sandy Lane resort (where Tiger Woods got married)
Characters
Mickey Mouse: On the sixth hole of Disney's Magnolia Course in Florida, there's a bunker shaped like Mickey's ears.
A giant: As you tee off on the third hole at Giant's Ridge in Biwabik, Minn., you stare down a fairway corridor with what looks like a massive sand footprint left by a giant.
Snoopy: The city of St. Paul, Minn.'s National Golf Course has a bunker shaped like Charlie Brown's dog Snoopy on the 15th hole to honor cartoonist Charles Schulz who played and caddied there.
Dick Tracy: The ninth hole of Cantigy Golf's Lakeside course in Wheaton, Ill., has a bunker shaped like the profile of Dick Tracy.
College/University Mascots
Clemson University: On the 17th hole of the school's Walker Course, the green and surrounding bunkers form the school's recognizable "Tiger Paw" logo.
Kansas State University: Similar idea at Colbert Hills, where you'll find the "Cat's Paw" bunker complex on the fifth hole. I believe another hole has bunkers shaped like "J" and "C" for namesake Jim Colbert.
OSU: Between the ninth and 10th holes of Ohio State University's Scarlet Course, you can almost make out O, S, and U-shaped bunkers.
Everything Else
Fruit: On the 17th hole at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash., is green is shaped like an apple, a bunker forms its leaf, and the walkway to the green is the stem.
States: The Cottonwood Valley course at the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort in Irving, Texas has this Texas-shaped green and an Oklahoma-shaped bunker combo.
Initials: Kings North at Myrtle Beach National in South Carolina has "S" and "C" shaped bunkers next to the 12th green.
Fleur de Lis: Lakewood Golf Club near New Orleans has several theme bunkers, including this fleur de lis.
Human Hand: Like the Green Monkey "bunker" at Sandy Lane, the sand on the 17th hole at The Montgomerie Dubai isn't a hand, but it helps to form it.
What do you think about "theme" bunkers? Charming...or cheesy? Have you come across any that I missed? Please share your comments below.
The 12th hole at Greg Norman designed Doonbeg course in Ireland has a pot bunker in the middle of the green
Cheesy, cheesy, cheesy...
The 15th hole of the Port Course at Harborside International outside of Chicago has a <a href="http://www.harborsideinternational.com/newsite/images/hole15.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ship's anchor</a>.
The 6th at Bear Dance looks more like a bear paw than the one shown above/
Fun article Craig. One more to add to your list is Punta Espada Golf Club in Punta Cana, which, designed by Jack Nicklaus, has a par three with a <a href="http://www.capcana.com/site/images/stories/pegc/hoyo-7-par-3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bear paw green/bunker complex</a>. It's a little more subtle than some of the others.
Bear Dance - Larkspur Colorado. par 4, Hole No. 6 - <a href="http://www.beardancegolf.com/golf/golf_hole6-t.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bear paw bunkers</a>
Interesting that my home state, Washington, has the largest number of these whimsical bunkers. Not sure what that says about our state...but so be it.
Great bunkers, there are 3 that I have played before
1. The Walker Club/Clemson University
2. Colbert Hills Club
3. Kings North
All great courses!!