The Open at The Old Course - how often?

Shotrock wrote:I've harped on this before, but you wait to see how penal (whacky) the set up is for the US Open at Merion next year. Fairways have been narrowed to ribbons, length added to holes that were already long enough (IMO), rough so deep it's almost a water hazard and, weather permitting, greens at crazy speeds.

Why? The USGA blue coats have an obsession with protecting "par". I say they should simply call every par 4 under 400 yards a par 3 and then let the players play the normal set up there.

The Open Championship set ups never seems as goofy as the US Open set ups.

If this sounds as it I'm being critical of the golf course that is Merion East, I'm NOT. It's an amazing course, one that will test every shot in your bag.

McLaren wrote:I remembered writing something on the old 606 about trumpton and the open. so decided to try and find it.

To my surprise it seems a blogger stole my article and posted it as their own.

My original

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A74361611

(also had i edited it properly it would have read goofy set up at winged foot, and not make it seem like I think winged foot is a goofy course)

then this cheeky imp re posts it;

http://intotherough.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/donald-saviour-of-classics-trump.html

I wonder how often articles are stolen from 606v2, especially the decent one's like kwini's?


Anyway, back to the hosting of the open. I think my point from 2010 still stands in that there is no reason to begin to alter the playing characteristics of the classic courses for the sake of pro golf. For this reason - as much as i would like to see it happen - i would have to oppose hosting the open on the classic heathland courses.

I would rather see the open played at the Belfry than have the current scenario where TOC is butchered because mcilroy went 63-80. I wonder, will they make the holes where he took double on his way to an 80 easier?

Shotrock wrote:JAS - Indeed, they all play the same course and set up ... but why would you want someone to make your course so punishing it's hardly playable for the average golfer? And for what is essentially a weekend.

I know probably 20 members at Merion and, if it weren't for the fact that they have a much more golfer friendly West Course at their disposal, I'm not convinced the heavy handed (IMO) direction from the USGA would be so quickly embraced.

Again, not a knock on Merion and their members -- they run an exceptional club.

Shotrock wrote:JAS - Very good point ... they absolutely could say no. In fact, other clubs have said no to the USGA. Not an easy thing to do in reality: having a major championship at your course does wonders for membership demand, guest play, and absolutely feeds plenty of egos.

I, for one, am glad they did not. I'll be working at the US Open (our club is marshaling a hole). Hope the weather holds up.

Shotrock wrote:Rumor is it will be the 1st hole.

Merion East is one of the finest courses I've ever had the privilege to play. One will need to work their ball both ways to score their. Biggest issue? Stay in play off the tee. Only two par 5's (holes #2 and #4) so you better birdie one of those. Final 5 holes will be punishing.

A friend of mine took buckets of photos, but know there were taken BEFORE much of the "fixing" for the US Open:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/MerionEast/index.html