Do you have questions for Merion's head pro ? Answers Added

[Powell Arms]

I, along with 20 other folks, am having lunch today with Scott Nye, head pro at Merion.

Mr. Nye will be discussing the preparations for the US Open and Merion's long history of hosting USGA events.

Let me know if you have any questions you would like asked.

I am interested to hear about on course logistics for the spectators. There has been discussion of limiting movement on the property, specifically around the southwest corner at 3,6,7,8

[Phil McDade]

Powell:

I'm curious about green speeds and what greens at Merion -- given the speeds the USGA wants for the Open -- he thinks may prove to be most difficult to negotiate under those conditions.

Thanks!

[PCCraig]

Who does he think designed the East course? 

[Powell Arms]

Who does he think designed the East course?

Perhaps it's the USGA

That question is a given  

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

not a question but please tell him I said hello.
I met him many moons ago playing in the Hugh Wilson and he was so welcoming it was phenomenal, so please tell him a big hello from me....thank you

[Ed Brzezowski]

Presidents meeting?

[V. Kmetz]

Powell,

If it's feasible or appropriate could Mr. Nye respond:

1.  Has he had many competitors play the course over the last season, does he anticipate or has he scheduled many practice rounds for April/May?  In 2006 at WF, several pros (including Phil and Tiger) had staked out the course with low-key rounds in the months leading up.

2.  Does he think the winning score will be at par or does he believe it will be significantly higher or lower?

3.  What does he project as the easiest hole, to par and the most difficult hole ?

4. What are his duties - if any - during the actual week of competition?

cheers

vk

[Jud_T]

ask him how much they're going to widen the playing corridors back out for member play after the blessed event.  ask him how he feels personally about losing some classic green contours in the name of more pinnable hole locations and 13 stimps...

[V. Kmetz]

ask him how much they're going to widen the playing corridors back out for member play after the blessed event.  ask him how he feels personally about losing some classic green contours in the name of more pinnable hole locations and 13 stimps...

and ask him where he'll be working if he is impertinent enough to ask those questions, which are not his responsibility but the membership and USGA's...

cheers

vk

[V. Kmetz]

"answer" those questions...I should have said

[Powell Arms]

Scott Nye did a wonderful job, giving a 45+ minute presentation and graciously answering questions both before and after his presentation.

Here are some of the interesting things he mentioned, in answer to most of the questions above, including those from Jud:

Logistics
As most know, attendance will be limited to 25,000 per day.  This US Open will have the majority of attendees in bleachers, which is a real departure from the recent US Opens.  So the best viewing spot will depend on personal preference.  Scott's expectation is that most folks will find a seat and stay there for the day.

Course Changes
Scott did acknowledge the course changes in his presentation, and noted that they were a balance between caring for a masterpiece and maintaining challenge.  The fairways will be returned to their "strip of bacon" look, as opposed to a "cooked strip of bacon" for the US Open. #12 green will likely not be returned - as reconstructed, it has the requiste seven pinnable locations.  It would have had three at USGA speeds.  The stop sign on 14 will come down for the tournament.  The wickers will be in place.

Difficulty
Scott thinks the winning score will be highly weather dependent.  When asked, he thought weather could be a ten shot swing, with 6 under winning if it is dry and firm, and 15 or more under winning if it is wet with receptive greens.  There will be no intermediate cut of rough, if I heard correctly.

Difficult holes

#3 due to the elasticity.  It can play from 150 yards to 250 yards
#5 due to the fairway shaved down the left side into the hazard, plus a wild green
#11 due to the fairway landing area pushed left, which makes the approach shot a bit more awkward
#14 due to the 50 yards of added length and a drive perhaps aimed OB plus a green complex that is very well guarded and a highly contoured green

He thought that 7 - 10 would be the holes on which they could score if managed, which he defined as a controlled distance tee shot to create the ideal wedge shot in (except 9, obviously) Bausch collection photos are here for reference PHOTOS

Interestingly, he wasn't sure about 12, as he hasn't seen enough play on that green to appreciate how it would play to the field.

As for his duties during the tournament, they are minimal for tournament administration.  His team will take care of the range and carts.  And, of course, he will be one of the primary trouble shooters for when the unknown crops up.

Scott views the day after the tournament as one of the most important for this summer, in returning the course to the members and setting up to manage the full tee sheet expected for the balance of the season.

It was a really nice discussion and an exciting way to spend the first day of spring!

[Mark McKeever]

Powell, did he mention if 15 green will be returned?

Mark

[Powell Arms]

Powell, did he mention if 15 green will be returned?

Mark

He did address that. It is "to be determined"

[V. Kmetz]

thank you Powell and Mr. Nye - quality stuff

cheers

vk

[Tim Martin]

Thanks Powell. That is an interesting expectation that spectators will be happy to find their choice of bleachers and camp out. Granted it is on the smallest tract of land in the US Open rota but people certainly like to roam around. I wonder if staff/volunteers will be recommending same to spectators?

[Joe Bausch]

I wonder if staff/volunteers will be recommending same to spectators?

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here.

[Powell Arms]

Thanks Powell. That is an interesting expectation that spectators will be happy to find their choice of bleachers and camp out. Granted it is on the smallest tract of land in the US Open rota but people certainly like to roam around. I wonder if staff/volunteers will be recommending same to spectators?

Well, with five thousand volunteers (and a waiting list of two thousand), each volunteer only needs to corral Bausch and four others!

[Powell Arms]

A very interesting byproduct of the US Open prep: Merion will be hosting Golf Assoc of Phila team matches this April for all three weeks of the GAP matches. Their matches on the East course will be played with players required to hit off of mats in the fairways. Some consideration was given to playing only away matches this year, but in the end home-off-mats prevailed.

[Tim Martin]

I wonder if staff/volunteers will be recommending same to spectators?

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here.

 :

[Mark McKeever]

I bailed out of being a volunteer simply due to the fact that I wasn't willing to take a whole week off of work for it.  I'd rather do that to PLAY golf.  

Mark

[Tim Martin]

I bailed out of being a volunteer simply due to the fact that I wasn't willing to take a whole week off of work for it.  I'd rather do that to PLAY golf.  

Mark

There are streets named after you McKeever- ONE WAY

[Mark Bourgeois]

 The stop sign on 14 will come down for the tournament.

Booooo!!!!

[Mark McKeever]

 The stop sign on 14 will come down for the tournament.

Booooo!!!!

Agreed!  Would have been really cool to see the stop sign stay up.


Mark

[ChipOat]

Mark B.

I'll see you tonight in Bethesda re: the Stop Sign.

Chip

[Mark Bourgeois]

You have a green light to discuss this.