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Steve_Roths

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American Royal Courses
« on: October 20, 2004, 01:20:50 PM »
Is there anyway a course in the US can be designated as a Royal course similar to the courses in Great Britian?
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Brian_Gracely

Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2004, 01:22:15 PM »
Pretty sure that option was eliminated in 1776.
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John_Conley

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Huh?
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2004, 01:29:17 PM »
Steve:

The only equivalency would be if a course had been "blessed" by Paris Hilton and JFK, Jr., the closest things to royalty in the United States.  (Unless you count Bennifer.)
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2004, 01:32:16 PM »
Royal Links, Port Royal, Royal New Kent, Royal Melbourne (IL), etc.  According to golfcourse.com, a lot more than just these.

We got plenty of them, more than UK, I'd guess.


But Brian explained why it's not a national/"gubmint" issue.
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Don Dinkmeyer

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2004, 01:39:32 PM »
Could someone please edumacate me on what it takes to be designated a Royal course...I've been fortunate to play Royal County Down and don't see anything "unusual" on the premises...

Yes, i understand its a fantastic course with great history! Our caddy Colin had worked there 31 years. It is his profession and he's darn good at it. Not a single ball was lost, that's almost a miracle considering the foursome he was helping!
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Evan_Green

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2004, 01:46:09 PM »
My understanding is that for a course in britain to be "royal," a member of the royal family must have played there.

Another U.S. course that with "royal" in the name is Royal Kunia on Oahu
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Jeremy_Glenn.

Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2004, 06:39:14 PM »
There are true "Royal" courses and fake ones.

To be a true "Royal" course, the club must be given permission by royalty -  often, in the case of golf, the Queen (or King) of England - to use the "Royal" prefix.

As such, I'm not sure if there are any true "Royal" course in the USA.  There, are, however, a number in Canada, such as  Royal Colwood, Royal Ottawa, Royal Montreal and Royal Quebec.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2004, 06:40:26 PM by Jeremy Glenn. »
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David_Tepper

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2004, 10:24:40 PM »
The nearest thing we have in the US to a circuit of Royal courses is probably the courses that have hosted multiple US Opens - Merion, Baltusrol, the Country Club, Oakmont, Oakland Hills, Olympic, etc. That experience provides a cachet that is unique in American golf.  
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henrye

Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2004, 10:38:08 PM »
Interesting question.  There is nothing stopping a golf club (whether it is member owned, developer owned or whatever) in Ameica from formally requesting a "Royal" designation from the british royal family.  Whether or not it would ever be granted is another question.
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Forrest Richardson

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2004, 10:54:47 PM »
Royal status — Bestowed to a golf course by the King or Queen of England in order to signify its magnificence; examples: Royal Troon, Royal Lytham and St. Annes, Royal Liverpool and Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews; not just reserved to 18-hole layouts as evidenced by Royal Worlington, “The Nine Hole Wonder”

[from ON COURSE, a dictionary of golf course terms)
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Don Dinkmeyer

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2004, 11:17:14 PM »
Forrest and all - thank you!
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Mike_Sweeney

Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2004, 05:21:22 AM »
Not sure about it having to be the King or Queen, from Roral Tarlair's website,

Tuesday,8th June 1926
“H.R.H the Princess Royal has shown such a gracious and sympathetic interest in the Club and the new course that she has readily agreed to its having the word “Royal” included in its official designation. Henceforth, therefore the course will be known as that of Royal Tarlair Golf Club  
and will take its place among the select company of courses in the country that have such a privilege”  

Here is a list of Royal Websites:

http://www.royaltarlair.co.uk/golflinks.htm

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Daryl "Turboe" Boe

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2004, 08:46:06 AM »
Who can forget the mouthful of a name that is San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course in CA.  One of the courses I cut my golfing teeth on in the bay area.

According to my golfdrive map CD, there are 37 couses in the US with the word "Royal" as part of their name.  4 more if you count "Royale".   BTW Canada has 12 "Royal"'s dont know how many of them are "Real Royal's".
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Sébastien Dhaussy

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2004, 02:40:14 AM »

Mike Sweeney give a link for a site with all the royal courses. I don’t find link on the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Founded on November 9th 1881, The Royal Belfast Golf Club is the oldest club in Ireland.

On the name “Royal”, here is a excerpt from the site :
“Royal Patronage
The Royal Belfast Golf Club is one of only four golf clubs in Ireland that have been honoured with the title "Royal", having been visited in 1885 by the Prince of Wales who became the club's first patron. This patronage has continued through the history of the club, the position currently being held by Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Although the two other Royal clubs in Northern Ireland, Royal County Down Golf Club and Royal Portrush Golf Club, are perhaps better known worldwide, golf historians recognise The Royal Belfast Golf Club as the origin of the game in Ireland and as such is a special place to visit and a prized course to play.”

I’ve the luck to visit this club in the beginning of the year for a wedding. It was a great day for me. You have a great view on the sea (Belfast Lough) from the course and the old beautiful clubhouse adds to the charm of the course.

On the design of the course:
“In 1925 the responsibility of course design and layout at the present location” – club has changed of location since founding in 1881 – “was given to H.C. Colt the eminent English course architect of the day, who also laid out the Royal Portrush course. With the assistance of Walker Cup player W.A. Murray, Colt produced a course of great charm which provides a true test of golfing skill and which has one of the loveliest settings of any in Britain with its unrivalled views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim plateau beyond. The course remains much the same today as it was then”.

For more information on the history of the club,  here is the link : http://www.royalbelfast.com/index.htm
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Jonathan Cummings

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2004, 05:55:24 AM »
Anybody go for "Royal Shadow Creek"??  ;)
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Paul Richards

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2004, 09:24:04 PM »
Pretty sure that Royal Melbourne, in northwest Chicago, is not 'Royal' in the British sense of the title ....

 :-[ :-[
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Bob_Huntley

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2004, 09:33:10 PM »
For an American club to use the appellation, "Royal,' should be 'utterly cryet doon.' This a Republic for crying out loud and the only Royal we should hanker after, is Nat 'King' Cole.
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #17 on: October 26, 2004, 11:53:54 PM »
Quote from: Bob_Huntley on October 26, 2004, 09:33:10 PM
For an American club to use the appellation, "Royal,' should be 'utterly cryet doon.' This a Republic for crying out loud and the only Royal we should hanker after, is Nat 'King' Cole.

What about Elvis, Arnie, and Aretha?

Folks in my area would add Richard Petty....

My daughter....Simba.

I'll skip Jacko.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2004, 11:54:37 PM by Scott_Burroughs »
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RDecker

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #18 on: October 27, 2004, 07:44:56 AM »
Pretty sure Donald Trump is going to add the Royal prefix to all of his courses.  It's good marketing plus he can start wearing the crown he had made for himself ( must have been expensive to build one to fit over that do).
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Jonathan Cummings

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2004, 11:50:04 AM »
Actually the Caledonia/TB thread reminded me of Stranz's effort in Virginia.

Royal New Kent!
« Last Edit: October 27, 2004, 11:50:29 AM by Jonathan »
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #20 on: October 27, 2004, 12:15:20 PM »
Quote from: Jonathan on October 27, 2004, 11:50:04 AM
Actually the Caledonia/TB thread reminded me of Stranz's effort in Virginia.

Royal New Kent!

I mentioned that one above.   ;D

Considering it was meant to be a tribute to an Irish course, I hope it was Northern Ireland!
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Jonathan Cummings

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Re:American Royal Courses
« Reply #21 on: October 27, 2004, 12:42:39 PM »
oops, sorry Scott
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