The R and A is a disappointment re: Deal

[Adrian_Stiff]

Adrian,

Far easier and cheaper to play the 1st or the 11th as the finishing hole, where there is ample space for grandstands around the green.

Rebuilding holes should be a last resort.

Scott/Adi,

As I said in a earlier thread reply there is room for grandstands on the 18th with a large one on the left handside, a single stand at the rear of the green and keep the right hand side open so the clubhouse is visible there is ample space for up to 8000 seats.

Cheers
Ben

Ben - Theres not much room around 18, if you keep 1 as is. That becomes a minus, if Deal gets on the rota you need to find positives. The R & A have made their stance at best they are saying its a bit tight. One positive is that quite a few players are not overly keen on RSG.

[Adrian_Stiff]

I somehow do not see this discussion unless RSG does not want to host the Open. Deal then would have to complete with Rye for the SE England slot. I think several courses including Royal Portcawl and St Edonoc both have an place at the table in bidding for an alternate to the current rotaltion. However I think Dornoch has a better claim. Of course Portrush or RCD also should be in an expansion talk.

Tiger - Infrastructure is the key word and Rye,Dornoch and St Enodoc miss by miles, Rye and St Enodoc are not even on the second page because of length. Great courses though.

[Jamie Barber]

I'd rather see another venue in the South, but I often wonder why Royal Aberdeen never gets a mention. A pretty big population centre, international airport, loads of hotels thanks to the oil industry and enough decent courses all around.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Tony - Golf courses change, it happens all the time, Birkdale, Turnberry, Hoylake, Carnoustie, St Georges have all made significant changes to holes/greens in order to be better or more accomodating. You would need that space to the right of the 18th green, which kinda buggers the 1st as is.

I know, I know but the members all love the 1st hole and the second fairway.  What price 4 days of glory once every so often (or maybe just once)?

It was suggested earlier. Start at two and finish at one.

I understand here's an upcoming article in Golf International where prominent golfers select an eclectic top 18 in GB&I.  A Deal member nominated the first with the argument - an OK 1st, but a knee trembling 19th. I think with a bit more length it would make a great 72nd hole, “For The Open Championship”.

[Noel Freeman]

Tony - Golf courses change, it happens all the time, Birkdale, Turnberry, Hoylake, Carnoustie, St Georges have all made significant changes to holes/greens in order to be better or more accomodating. You would need that space to the right of the 18th green, which kinda buggers the 1st as is.

I know, I know but the members all love the 1st hole and the second fairway.  What price 4 days of glory once every so often (or maybe just once)?

It was suggested earlier. Start at two and finish at one.

I understand here's an upcoming article in Golf International where prominent golfers select an eclectic top 18 in GB&I.  A Deal member nominated the first with the argument - an OK 1st, but a knee trembling 19th. I think with a bit more length it would make a great 72nd hole, “For The Open Championship”.

Tony, they could make #1, #18 as you say and move the tee back 80+ yards.   That hole normally plays into the wind, it is OB right.. Last hole of a major championship and if it is about 470yds into the wind and you have 4 or 5 iron in your hand and must carry the burn to a front pin.. Delicious..  And, a big and, that green has more undulation than any other on the course.. It is not gimme 2 putt in regulation...

[Jamie Barber]

I can't feel the love for the 1st. Maybe I've not played it enough but it just doesn't do it for me at all. Maybe it's the proximity of the road and the view of the housing, I don't know.

Of course I've only played of the daily tees which make it fairly short. Looks like there's plenty of room for a back tee which no doubt would toughen it up.

PS I'm hoping to play there in Deal Week, so having posted this I just know I'm going to carve it into the carpark now! At least it's the member's carpark, so my car will be OK

[Scott Warren]

They call that karma Jamie. Now post how much you love #1 and you'll carve one 260 down the middle (just hope the tees aren't up, because then 260 is in the burn! )

[Tony_Muldoon]

 

Tony - Golf courses change, it happens all the time, Birkdale, Turnberry, Hoylake, Carnoustie, St Georges have all made significant changes to holes/greens in order to be better or more accomodating. You would need that space to the right of the 18th green, which kinda buggers the 1st as is.

I know, I know but the members all love the 1st hole and the second fairway.  What price 4 days of glory once every so often (or maybe just once)?

It was suggested earlier. Start at two and finish at one.

I understand here's an upcoming article in Golf International where prominent golfers select an eclectic top 18 in GB&I.  A Deal member nominated the first with the argument - an OK 1st, but a knee trembling 19th. I think with a bit more length it would make a great 72nd hole, “For The Open Championship”.

Tony, they could make #1, #18 as you say and move the tee back 80+ yards.   That hole normally plays into the wind, it is OB right.. Last hole of a major championship and if it is about 470yds into the wind and you have 4 or 5 iron in your hand and must carry the burn to a front pin.. Delicious..  And, a big and, that green has more undulation than any other on the course.. It is not gimme 2 putt in regulation...

Just for once it might be fun to have to watch while they walk back 250 yards with the whole world waiting to see  if they can get their Par for the Open.


As we’re having fun: assuming No 1 plays as No 18, what 4 holes constitute the playoff?

Real no’s 16, 17, 18 and 1?

[Noel Freeman]

I think that would have to be the playoff... 16-18, 1

I love walking from 18 to #1 tee..  a few times in the high summer, I've teed off by myself around 5 am ish.. The grounds crew doesnt love it but I play 1-6 then 15-18 before starting my proper time around 7am.  A few times I've done that (just the quick loop) and still made it to Heathrow for a 11am flight.

I also want to see the recovery shots people hit around #3 green when going for it in two shots..

The new seawall tees also are great visuals.

[Jamie Barber]

I can understand the need, but I really dislike the sea wall tees. On a course that follows the natural contours, to my eye they look completely artifical and out of place.

[Scott Warren]

I know why you feel that way jamie, but I am told by long-time members the natural dunes were about the height of the sea wall, just not an impenitrable wall. So although looking artificial, perhaps it's not as unnatural as it looks.

[Mark Chaplin]

This is an interesting thread and worthy of a full reply. I'm on holiday for another 10 days then will pen a considered reply.

The key to an Open is a new train halt at the far end of the practise ground and access road. The County Council claim the Open is worth upwards of £50m to the local economy so two SE venues would be great for East Kent.

Yes we own the road, Northern Ireland - whilst for most terrorist groups the active part of the war is suspended, intelligence gathering, target indentifying and the planting of sleepers continues

[James Boon]

A top level event such as a Senior Open or Walker Cup would be a great start for Deal. Even if they wouldn't have the large scale infrastructure of big grandstands etc, they could still play the 1st as the 18th as suggested, just to see how it works out? I can't see how one of those events wouldn't be a success, and if so that would mean maybe one day an Open would be possible.

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of changing the routings around for these events as they did at Hoylake, as it means your average visitor wouldn't be playing the same course, but I think that would be a small price to pay?

I've always said that its not really down to the infrastructure, its up to the will and desire of the R&A, and if they want the Open elsewhere then they would make it work. A good number of the current rota courses have poor infrastructure but that doesn't seem to stop them?

Lastly, how about Saunton as an alternative Open venue in the south west? Play 2 through to 6, pop over to play 10, 11 and 8 on the West, then back to the East to play 7, 11 to 18 and then 1 as the closing hole, as there is plenty of room down there for grandstands etc, it omits the crowding around the middle and creates a big area there for tented village etc. Perhaps our good Mr Stephens has time to draw something like this up and start another thread? 

Cheers,

James

[Scott Warren]

Losely on-topic.

I just found this while searching elsewhere:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/golf/article2896849.ece

[Andrew Mitchell]

Nice read that Scott.  I didn't realise you could still access The Times behind its pay wall.

The fact you came across that article hasn't got anything to do with any plans you might have for Deal in the next few weeks has it?

If it has don't forget I need a left handed set 

[Scott Warren]

No, I had no plans for hickories, but I never knew our pro was a hickories champ!! I might have to talk to him, perhaps a little loop with hickories one afternoon could be fun.

I found that link on Shackelford's site. It hadn't occurred to me that Rupert's online content was now meant to be more secure than The Bank of England. I guess pages created before they started charging must still be free.

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