Open 2006, Hoylake - change to routing

[Philip Gawith]

The R&A/Hoylake have decided to change the routing for the Open in 2006. The 16th will be played as the final hole, with the 17th and 18th being played as first and second. The main reason behind the decision is that they want to have a dramatic finishing hole, which the 16th clearly is with the OB on the right, potential for eagles and disaster alike. Also, it finishes in front of the club-house. The 18th, by contrast, is not regarded as one of the stronger holes on the course. I think a secondary issue was crowd management, which will be easier with this routing.

It is clear from the communication to members that the R&A/Hoylake realise that the main downside to this change is that you now lose the drama of the first hole with its OB down the right, but they clearly felt the trade-off was worth making. That said, the 17th, if played into the prevailing wind, will be a pretty onerous starting hole, albeit with less drama than the 1st.

In passing: i would assume it must be quite unusual for a course of this stature to change its routing for an event?

[ForkaB]

Augusta changed their routing for the Masters, no?

Another benefit of the change at Hoylake is that it gives them a nice 4 hole playoff routing (17, 18, 1, 16).  If this happens, that OB right on the current #1 will surely come into play!

[Philip Gawith]

rich, i did not know about augusta. what changed there?

as for play-off, there would be nothing to stop them, i suppose, going 1,16,17,18 - in other words, OB on both first two play off holes?

[Andy Levett]

Nice scoop Philip! I wonder if the 'secondary' reason, crowd management, is in reality the primary one. Judging from the map on http://www.royal-liverpool-golf.com the 18th green area looks a bit of a cul-de-sac to be funnelling all those people into.
 


Do you think there's any chance of the membership adopting the change permanently?

[Philip Gawith]

i have not got a clue re the thinking of the members, but i would be surprised. speaking personally, the OB on the right of the first is a more dominant feature of playing at Hoylake than the drama afforded by the 16th if is the last hole in the round. also, it is a bit unsatisfactory to depart the clubhouse and then return to it 25 minutes later - a two hole loop does not really feel right. i can see the logic for the tournament, but not sure it has enduring appeal. but good question!

[Andy Levett]

George Thomas would approve of a two-hole loop. He advocating  routing  back to the clubhouse after two or three holes if possible so latecomers could join their friends easily.
Not really a factor in The Open though  

[ForkaB]

philip

They flip-flopped the 9's at Augusta fairly soon after it was opened.  Bobby J. thought it made for a better finish for the Masters.  He was right!

[Paul_Turner]

Well then, they should bloody well put back the 17th to as it was.  No grandstand would be needed and it would be a perfect opener.

The club goes to all that trouble toughening up the finish and then they don't even use it!

[Sean Walsh]

Paul,

What changes have been made to the 17th and when?  I played it in late 03, I take it the changes were before then.  

The new configuration really does squeeze the hole up aginst the OB.  I know there are other unconventional OB's on the course but this on the 17th just seemed out of place.

[Paul_Turner]

Sean

The OB was much closer to the green on the old 17th.  If you look closely on the above map, you can see its outline.  It was a celebrated hole...the famous "Royal" hole.

A shortish par 4 with the potential of disaster would be a good opener in my book.

[Sean Walsh]

Paul,

Working off memory and the strokesaver I have nearby was the old green between the 3 bunkers short of the green and the ob.  

This would make the hole about 50yds shorter.  It would be an interesting test of nerves as the opener or as the 71st hole.  

Also brings the 3 fairway bunkers on the right more into play.  If I'm not mistaken.  Which I have been already once on this thread.

[Philip Gawith]

i think changes at hoylake, including but not limited to the 17th, have been listed elsewhere by the esteemed host of this site in a list of top ten architectural follies!

[Andy Levett]

There's some good pictures and strong opinions about the changes on this thread