COURSE UPDATES:: 1990-2000
The past ten years, from 1990 to 2000 brought more changes to Durand. Monroe County hired several consultants to look at Durand to make changes to speed the pace of play and to make the course safer. From 1995 to 1997, the course was under constant construction. Playing Durand during those years meant putting up with temporary tees and temporary greens. Virtually every tee on the course was changed in one way or another. Tees were rebuilt, moved, raised, or lengthened. New tees were built on most holes, while primary changes were made on holes one, four, five, nine, ten, and sixteen. The number one tee was moved forward 100 yards and the hole was shortened from a par five to a par four, changing Durand from a 71 par course to a 70 par course. On hole number one the new tees were elevated and lengthened. Many knowledgeable golfers objected to this change because Trent Jones designed the green which slopes away from golfers to accept a third shot as a par five. Now most players are hitting five-six-seven irons to a green not designed to accept them. New tees were built on number two, and new drainage tiles were laid across the fairway. On number three, trees were cut down to allow more sun to reach the green. The fourth fairway was raised close to eight feet with dirt and refuse brought in from the old Hojack railway line in front of the lake. This eliminated the old problem of a swampy landing area, but created a mounded fairway the runs both ways from the center hump. A wetland collection area was created on the left of the landing area, while the stream that used to cut across the fairway now guards the right side. A new fifth hole was created in an attempt to recreate the par three that existed back in the 1950's. The old fifth hole was maintained and now golfers have two par three's and the course superintendent has the option of switching back and forth. Holes six and seven both received new teeing areas and on number nine, significant changes were made to the fairway.