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Ran Morrissett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« on: June 15, 2014, 07:55:11 PM »
Pinehurst management: A+  – Both the ambitious vision and perilous transformation were executed with great aplomb. Never has a course/club with such a legacy (even Oakmont) taken a comparable risk. Never. As a result, Pinehurst has gone from being moribund in ~2007 and to the focus of the golfing world. Truly exciting times lie ahead for those of us who live here and I expect that more golf conferences and think-type events will now choose these sandhills for their events.

 
Greenkeeping: A  – Bob Farren’s team has performed a magnificent balancing act and the course is FAR from being on its deathbed after week #1 – it's ready for another good sized event in a few days! The playing surfaces, especially the putting surfaces, are in magnificent condition and the non-playing surfaces are as they should be - what more could you want?! This is the UK ideal, now freshly planted in America.

C & C - A - Could have been an A+ if not for that (dumb) raised 11th tee. Hopefully, they will get the green light to take a little air out of 2 - 4 greens in the near future, simply for the sake of adding to Pinehurst's playing variety.
 
Weather: B+  – one evening storm in six days is the best you can realistically hope for in the southeast during the summer. However, the native areas could have used more rain over the past ~6 weeks; they were too thin but that's as Mother Nature's dictated.
 
Mike Davis as USGA spokesperson: A+  – Mike’s passion and knowledge always shine through. His opinions are fresh, genuine and frequently thought provoking, unlike the bland, canned answers of the players. He joins Phil Mickelson as the most interesting men to put a microphone in front of in all of golf.
 
Course set-up: B+  - Perfect except for about 6 tees (the 3rd twice, the 15th, the 13th today, the 5th & 7th yesterday)  which were overly shortened over the 72 hole event. The fetish for the drivable par 4 comes at the expense of the intermediate par 4, which has a definite place within the game. We’re not at Torrey Pines; this is PINEHURST and no cute window dressing is required. Don't just favor the huge hitter on his game; give the tactician a chance.
 
Infrastructure: A+ – most manageable site I have ever been to for entrance/egress. Pinehurst’s enormous property enables an ‘effortless’ handling of the massive tented village and other infrastructure requirements. The flow around the property was great. Plus, the sight AND SOUND of laughing kids playing the Thistle Dhu putting green was magical, even more so today on Father's Day.


 
The Women: A  - A great course (not worn out) greets them tomorrow and the lack of competitive excitement during the men’s has created an opportunity for unfulfilled drama. I don’t want to sound sexist but the ladies’ recovery skills aren’t the equal of the men’s and will portray the Pinehurst greens as even more vexing than what we have just witnessed. There will be more gaffs around the greens this coming week WHICH WILL MAKE FOR GREAT VIEWING/DRAMA/FUN. Great seeing some of them out studying the course today. Thank God there wasn't an 18 hole play-off.
 
Drama: C  - It was the most ‘exciting unexciting’ event I have ever seen. It was exciting because we are at a crossroads for the game of golf and the restored course hogged the spotlight for most of the event while Kaymer’s command performance overwhelmed the field.

Irrigation companies - D - it's a new day in American golf, you best change your sales strategy. The winners will adopt the Pinehurst less is more principal and find a way to thrive as they help clubs/courses manage the transition.

On to week #2!

Best,

Jonathan Mallard

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2014, 08:09:00 PM »
Ran,

While I don't disagree with anything you've said, my conversations with what we term 'the masses' yield a different perspective.

Some responses I got from my discissions:

- Who wants to play a course where you hit a good shot and it rolls close to and then away from the hole.

- It's the US Open. They ought to pay a penalty for hitting it in the rough.

- The course looks awful.

For more of this perspective, check out Donald Trump's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Ironic, as Howard Riefs pointed out to me, after they awarded him a Women's Open.

This is a long way from over. Unfortunately.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2014, 09:05:25 PM by Jonathan Mallard »

Terry Lavin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2014, 08:14:02 PM »
JM:

"The course looks awful."  Wow.
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.  H.L. Mencken

DMoriarty

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2014, 08:20:07 PM »
For more of this perspective, check out Donald Trump's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

So it comes down to The Donald's view vs. Ran's?  Really? 
Golf history can be quite interesting if you just let your favorite legends go and allow the truth to take you where it will.
--Tom MacWood (1958-2012)

Paul Gray

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2014, 08:20:33 PM »
Jonathan,

Whilst I absolutely agree that the masses aren't anywhere near adopting firm and fast into their hearts, every journey and all that.

A few short years ago anything resembling Pinehurst would have been seen as simply something for the hickory brigade. Now a US Open has been held on it. Some lead change, some follow and some spend their latter years in bitter resistance. Nothing wrong with being amongst the avant garde.
In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2014, 08:24:03 PM »
Ran,

Agreed,

And, I think the USGA will fine tune the course for the Women's Open.

Again I ask those who were critical of this year's Open, how would you view it had MK been disqualified after the 1st round ?

Bryan Icenhower

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2014, 08:26:14 PM »
For more of this perspective, check out Donald Trump's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Unfortunately many more think just like the Donald than think like those on this board.

Jerry Kluger

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2014, 08:29:35 PM »
I attended the event and really enjoyed it especially when I was able to walk the entire course during the Tuesday practice rounds.  Today we sat in the grandstand by #6 which also meant that we could see the shots into the 3rd, the tee shots on 4 and the shots into the 5th green.  We didn't see a birdie on 6 until Adam Scott came through.  Recovery shots on 3 were incredible.  The only disappointment was how the randomness of the areas off the fairways really didn't come into play as much as expected as most players really didn't have much trouble getting to the greens if they missed the fairway.  

Amol Yajnik

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2014, 08:31:57 PM »
For more of this perspective, check out Donald Trump's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Unfortunately many more think just like the Donald than think like those on this board.

Absolutely true.  Lots of people are conditioned to think that a US Open should have rough everywhere and that everything should be green.  Combine that mentality with a "boring" golf tournament and the majority aren't going to look at this course all that fondly when they think back on this tournament.  It's a shame and against what most of us on here think, but it's the view of the Average Joe.

Jonathan Mallard

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2014, 08:32:39 PM »
To all:

Let me be perfectly clear: I agree with Ran's perspective. I thought the course looked and played great, with the exception that the native areas weren't the challenge I anticipated for these guys. I watched Spieth back it up on Saturday.

What I am telling you is what I'm hearing when I try a little 'missionary' work.

Has anyone else tried missionary work this week? If so, what anecdotal stories do you have for us?


Tim_Cronin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2014, 08:35:41 PM »
I think it was a grand slam in every respect from a playing and strategic standpoint. If the scrub was easy to play out of, it wasn't easy to score out of, Kaymer's eagle aside. And nobody has played an Open that well since Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000, including McIlroy.

High rough equals a chop out most of the time. The scrub and the rest of the green surrounds made players think. Most don't think that well.

Perhaps Trump is irked because the course is more natural than the mop on his head.
The website: www.illinoisgolfer.net
On Twitter: @illinoisgolfer

Brent Hutto

Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2014, 08:37:57 PM »
The guys at my club think it's a joke, a one-off gimmick that they don't expect to see repeated anywhwere.

Not a soul among them would have the slightest interest in seeing any aspect of #2's redesign show up at our course.

Of course they all may be singing a different tune in 10 years time but I sure as heck wouldn't put any money on it. I think this tournament will do more to sell Ping Anser 2 putters than it ever will to sell throwback single-row irrigation setups or brown fairways. Might see a bit of knock-on effect where clubs stick some wire grass in their fairway bunkers. Maybe.

Tim Gavrich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2014, 08:41:38 PM »
I thought the course did precisely what any championship golf course should: identify the best player in the field. Kaymer did everything you're supposed to do, and he did it much better than anyone else, so he won by a lot. There wasn't much drama because no one matched Kaymer, not even a little bit. Mission accomplished, USGA.

In a week when the USGA had to hold the reins up a little bit on the course because of the Women's Open next week, only three players broke par. I'd say it was a terrific championship test. Next time, the greens will be Bermuda and will be able to be ramped up even more, which will be wonderful as well.

I think herd-minded country club types will be skeptical of Pinehurst No. 2's restoration until they go there and play it, then go back to their home clubs and find themselves wishing for a more Pinehurst-like challenge. Or, if they go back home and prefer it, then there will be no convincing them.
Senior Writer, GolfPass

Tim_Weiman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2014, 08:49:37 PM »
Ran,

While I don't disagree with anything you've said, my conversations with what we term 'the masses' yield a different perspective.

- Who wants to play a course where you hit a good shot and it rolls close to and then away from the hole.

- It's the US Open. They ought to pay a penalty for hitting it in the rough.

- The course looks awful.

For more of this perspective, check out Donald Trump's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Ironic, as Howard Riefs pointed out to me, after they awarded him a Women's Open.

This is a long way from over. Unfortunately.

Jonathon,

Which recent US Open courses looked better?
Tim Weiman

Dan Herrmann

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2014, 08:52:55 PM »
Can you imagine ANGC or Pine Valley with similar treatment?   It'd be bliss.

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2014, 08:53:32 PM »
We tried. We may have failed this week, but we will try again next week and the next and the next.
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

Will Lozier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2014, 09:03:02 PM »
JM:

"The course looks awful."  Wow.

Ditto!  Awful?! ???

Will Lozier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2014, 09:07:24 PM »
Again I ask those who were critical of this year's Open, how would you view it had MK been disqualified after the 1st round ?

Pat,

I am curious what you think about Trump's views on Pinehurst?

Cheers


Mark Pavy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2014, 09:09:02 PM »
Congratulations to a deserved winner- Martin Kaymer.

In regard to the golf course- It's grossly unfair to ask a man to paint a rainbow with only one lead pencil, sure it will look like a rainbow, but the magic will be missing.


Mike Sweeney

Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2014, 09:09:09 PM »
As a result, Pinehurst has gone from being moribund in ~2007 and to the focus of the golfing world. Truly exciting times lie ahead for those of us who live here and I expect that more golf conferences and think-type events will now choose these sandhills for their events.

 

Over on ESPN, I saw a piece that included some footage of the Tufts Archives and how a former secretary at Pinehurst "rescued" the archives from the dump when ownership changed. My very brief tour of Pinehurst years ago only included playing Tobacco Road and Southern Pines, and a brief look at Pinehurst Resort. The USA has always lacked a "home" identity for golf (Far Hills, yikes) and maybe with this week's Women's Open, there could be a new energy in Pinehurst, home to the world wide headquarters of GCA.com  :)

Mike Sweeney

Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2014, 09:12:29 PM »
Again I ask those who were critical of this year's Open, how would you view it had MK been disqualified after the 1st round ?

Pat,

I am curious what you think about Trump's views on Pinehurst?

Cheers



I used to argue with Pat that Trump is only good for high-end golf. I would like to refine that to:

"Donald Trump is good for high end golf played on very green grass with lots of water."

Paul Gray

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #21 on: June 15, 2014, 09:14:24 PM »
I find some of the pessimism a little surprising. You have to make people aware of this 'new game,' let them kick back against it for a while then watch as they very slowly get the hang of it. Ever tried to reshape your business processes and listened to the uproar at first? There was never going to be a sudden shift amongst the masses but, to me at least, this feels like the beginning of the end of something horribly prosaic.

And Jonathan,

My missionary work was limited as the folk at Golfwrx were shockingly pro Pinehurst. There was another site though where I did throw about some comments about vacuous posters and garden centre golfers. Also, pre the event I cited Pinehurst as an example of the future in an essay to my club about opening our playing corridors back up. I'm awaiting the polite rebuke now! As I said, people have to toss this stuff about for a while before they can adapt to it. And in the case of a Greens Committee, it might need to be a period long enough for them to conclude that the idea was/is all their own work.

In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

Paul Gray

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #22 on: June 15, 2014, 09:16:02 PM »
Again I ask those who were critical of this year's Open, how would you view it had MK been disqualified after the 1st round ?

Pat,

I am curious what you think about Trump's views on Pinehurst?

Cheers



I used to argue with Pat that Trump is only good for high-end golf. I would like to refine that to:

"Donald Trump is good for high end golf played on very green grass with lots of water."
 

Amnesty over.  ;D ;)
In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #23 on: June 15, 2014, 09:20:30 PM »
I would be more worried if the Donald understood what went on at Pinehurst.
His remarks are predictable.
A self promoting blowhard doesn't get it.
why should he?
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Bryan Icenhower

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report Card for the Men's Open at Pinehurst
« Reply #24 on: June 15, 2014, 09:23:31 PM »
Loved it, but I was left on an island of one. 

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