[Paul_Turner]

Matt

I guess it's just too remote and god forbid that the R&A make less money!  Portrush would would be many players favourite on the rota.  No need to toughen it up either.

[Matt_Ward]

Paul:

I always hear the argument about "less money" but given the inherent and legitimate fanfare that the US and BO Opens derive I find it hard to believe that hosting the event at Portrush would significantly lessen the pot that the BO takes.

I don't doubt for a minute the political ramifications but must the s-a-m-e cast of characters be always the one selected? I don't doubt that many of these return sites are well known and clearly possess the wherewithal to test the finest players but with the BO rotation being much shorter than the one used for the US Open I can't imagine why an "extya" site or two are added into the mix to create a buzz that is way too often lacking in major championship golf today.

As an example -- I am really looking forward to seeing how the Straits Course holds up when the PGA is played this year. One can only hope the PGA will not emasculate the Dye design.

[Paul_Turner]

Matt

Other than Portrush, I don't think there is another links, within the UK, that could be added to the rota.  RCD is too short and not good for crowds..

Saunton isn't good enough.  As Mark points out, Porthcawl is too short.  Deal is too short.

Not sure about Kingsbarns.  Is it too man made? Not a real links?  Plays too slowly? Reasonable arguments, but it should be remembered that Lytham has a lot of man made features (mounds and small dunes).

[Robert Thompson]

I think Kingsbarns is made for an Open Championship, and I think the ownership there is probably keen on the idea as well. Given the R&A's involvement with the course, I wonder if it is possible the course could see something greater than the Dunhill.
As for "too man made," I think that's a ridiculous notion. I wonder how many people would pick on the course for being man made if they hadn't witnessed the before and after photos of Kingsbarns....

Robert

[Golf2002]

I really like the 12th hole at Birkdale. With the pin on the back right the green bunker is very much in play.
Dan Grossman said: "I never got "excited" about any of the shots I had to hit."
Well, I think this a shot you can get excited about!!

[NAF]

Paul, others..

Deal is not too short now.. The front 9 may weigh in a little short but when I went round with the club secretary back in August there was talk of extending a tee on the 3rd on the sea wall.  Furthermore, several other holes could be lengthened and I believe the course could stretch to 7200 yards easily. The problem is access.. The road that goes by the course in front of the clubhouse would prevent access by the hordes of people and tents etc.  Furthermore, the driving range is too small..

Tis a shame b/c I think Deal in a real southwesterly would play harder than Sandwich..Although there was a new course record at Deal during qualifying..Then again Aaron Baddley shot a 78 (I think) there as well.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Did anyone go to Sandwich last year?  What was access like?  

[Dan Grossman]

Hroyal -

That picture of #12 is not taken from an angle of play.  Isn't #12 a par 3 and the tee should be farther left? Its not as exciting when the tee is farther left and you don't have to go over that bunker.

[Keith Durrant]

Mark, I went down to Sandwich/Deal last year - there was a lot of park & ride, fleets of buses to and from the course. It seemed to work out fine.

I did play Deal on the Tuesday after the Open. I think I remember sitting on the clubhouse verandah over a pint thinking that there was not enough space for a large scale tented village.

The course itself played hard and fast, straight down wind on the way out and straight back into, on the way back. Very hard to hold the greens going out.

[Golf2002]

Hroyal -

That picture of #12 is not taken from an angle of play.  Isn't #12 a par 3 and the tee should be farther left? Its not as exciting when the tee is farther left and you don't have to go over that bunker.

Dan, you are right; the tee is a little farther left, but nevertheless I think the bunker still is very much in play (whether you have to go over it or not).

[Marc Haring]

I have to say, I couldn’t see too many problems with Birkdale. Of course I don’t have the experience of you Guys but having played it in November I can remember every hole without a problem. The 1st I thought was a great opener with a safe option if required, the 5th was a delightful little par 4 that you could cut the corner on and the 6th was about as good as you could get. The 12th  was just about the best looking par three I’ve seen and I enjoyed the finish.
I chopped it round but still enjoyed the day.

[Dan Grossman]

I overstated my criticism of Birkdale.  It is not that I think
it is a poor golf course and not worthy of holding
a British Open, just that there are many courses
which I find to be much more appealing, fun and
exciting tests of golf.  While there are some very
nice holes on the course and it has very few weaknesses,
there are a LOT of courses I would choose to
play again before returning to Birkdale.  For as highly
as it is ranked and praised, I found it to be lacking
the intangible characteristics that make "Very Good"
golf courses "GREAT!"  I thought Lytham was a GREAT
golf course.

I did like it better than Kingsbarns, however.  I would
be very disappointed if The Open were to be played
there as TOC, Muirfield and Carnoustie are much better
Open courses in close proximity.  

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()