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I'm shocked at the notion that the USGA does not already have a full-blown contingency plan.
In a bizarre way, I almost wish the US Open would be forced to go to a less prepared course, if only to show the USGA it isn't necessary to modify a course to host the Open.Oakmont wouldn't have any problems from a golf perspective, can't speak to the logistical stuff. I'd imagine #2 wouldn't need a whole lot of work to prepare.Perhaps a superintendent could speak to the difficulties associated with putting on a big time event and enlighten us.
Quote from: Patrick_Mucci on February 18, 2011, 10:22:31 AMBrad,That's a smart tactical move on Donald's part.Pat: I'm not so sure about that. My first reaction was that The Donald's acceptance of a back-up, contingency role was a tacit admission that his course isn't the greatest course on the planet, as he has stated so many times. Except is wasn't his acceptance as a back up role, it was his offer as a contingency, and, it makes sense in terms of logistics.He did the same thing for the Wollman Rink, he made an offer to the City of New York, who couldn't get the rink built in about a decade, and he did it in short order. Now, I'll grant you, it wasn't in as short an order as CBM did at NGLA and Merion, but, by modern standards, given the politics, he got it done in short order.[/b]Great actors don't take understudy roles. Great quarterbacks don't agree to be second string. But, opportunists take advantage of openings, and I think it's a great tactic.Logistically, it makes sense, especially to the USGA and the nearby New York media market.[/b]So, if he really believed he had the greatest course on the planet, why would he accept what is essentially a role of just-in-case understudy?Because NOBODY has asked him to play second fiddle, he's suggesting that the USGA consider it as a viable option just in case.Now, let me tell you what I really think.I think people will analyze the ability of TNB to hold a U.S. Open.... successfully.And, I think, forgetting about the golf course for a second, that the answer will be, "Yep, TNB can hold an Open and they can do it on short notice.That puts a bee in everybody's bonnet.It plants the seed, "hey, maybe we don't need a calamity, maybe TNB can host an Open under normal circumstances."Donald Trump is smart, shrewd and driven. Don't put anything beyond him. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.[/b]The logical conclusion is that either he never believed his boasts (and what does that say about him?) or that he still believes his course is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but that he was willing to settle for having it play second fiddle anyway (in which case, he's diluted his "everything Trump is #1 or nothing/I never settle for second best" branding machismo). Nah, you got it all wrong, good olde Donald is way ahead of you.[/b]Either way, I don't see how it's good for the Trump brand...at least to the extent there is such a thing...Reread what I posted, think about it, and let me know if you still feel the way you do[/b](Of course, Trump being Trump, he's going to spin this into "I have the only course in the world that the finest minds in golf - the USGA - has officially determined is great enough to hold the US Open EVERY YEAR!" )Don't underestimate him[/b]
Brad,That's a smart tactical move on Donald's part.
Pat,Why do you have to make so much sense on this one? There's nothing to argue with you over...
If this was the case , then why would we have the U.S. Open. The NFL did not play the first week after 9/11/ 2001.Gee, I wonder, could that have anything to do with the fact that the entirety of the United States Airspace was shut down ? ? ?Week 2 games were scheduled for 09-16-01[/b]Maybe they should have the U.S. Open before the Super Bowl ,at the Meadowlands. why would the USGA have only one state and course for a back up plan. Obviously, you know nothing about what's involved in preparing a facility for a U.S. Open, nor do you appear to know anything about how clubs prepare for a U.S. Open, years and years in advance. This is no casual undertaking. The choice of a facility, where ONE man calls the shots and can get things done, post haste, is critical. No need to campaign and take a membership and board vote, Donald Trump will handle it and he'll handle it well.[/b]Sounds a little shady.Only if you're totally uninformed.(;
Didnt Trump prepare his 'New' Course at Bedminster for a USGA event? I seem to remember reading about him consulting on the design with the USGA course set-up staff. He built access roads and laid power lines in position for corporate tents and what not. Tony,You may be right.Others more familiar with the club's infrastructure could answer your questions.He did host the Boys and Girls Junior Amateurs for the USGA.I-78 runs E-W adjacent to his course and I-287 which is very close runs N-S, so highway access would seem adequate.[/b] I would think the Old Course would be the better fit but if my memory is right, The New was the target for an Open.It's also possible, albeit unlikely, that a composite course could be used.In a calamatous event should occur, I would think that the golf course would be the least important issue.The ability to provide continuity in our events and lives would be the most important social issue.Playing the Open, going on with our lives, rather than shrinking from the threat, would seem to be in our best interest.Although, with a nuke, hosting a golf tournament would be one of the last items on our priority list.
Although, with a nuke, hosting a golf tournament would be one of the last items on our priority list.
Its a good move by DT. If it is good enough for a plan B it is good enough for the event.Perhaps more important, it is an example of DT doing right by the USGA. Far easier for a future president or executive director to sell the notion of a Trump open.Isn't the more likely scenario for exercising Plan B an agronomic disaster at the host site?
Pat, as a patriots season ticket holder i was at the Patriots game on 9/16. Mat, first you tell us, in reply # 37, that the NFL cancelled the games after 09-11-01,[/colorQuoteThe NFL did not play the first week after 9/11/ 2001[/i]Now you claim that you were at an NFL game on 09-16-01.You can't have it both ways, which was it ?[/b]Tell me why the USGA would need to have a backup course . The easiest example is to cite what happened at Southern Hills years ago.Someone poured a mixture of either gasoline or kerosene and powdered charcoal over the greens, making them unfit for play.Should that happen a few weeks prior to the Open, the availability of a alternate course, able to marshall its resources quickly, would save the day.[/b]Come up to Newport for a round this summer. Newport is one of my favorite courses and the 5th hole one of my all time, architecturally favorite holes in golf.The strategy presented is simply brilliant.Years ago I initiated a thread on the 5th hole.I'm hoping to visit Newport this Spring and/or Summer.
The NFL did not play the first week after 9/11/ 2001