Scottish Open - Gullane & Combined course layouts

[Tim Fenchel]

The Scottish Open will be played this week at Gullane Golf Club on a combination of holes from the #1 and #2 courses.  I'm curious how others feel about events doing this, instead of just playing one of the courses straight up.


I know this has, and does happen at other venues where there are more than one course.  Its happened in the states for majors as well as other tournaments from time to time.


I am sure the organizing officials have there reasons for doing so...perhaps for tournament logistics (tents, concessions, parking, etc) or maybe they just want to cherry pick "good holes" and drop "bad ones".


Maybe its me but I would just prefer they leave well enough alone and play the course with its normal and historic routing...whatever that may be.


Curious to others thoughts on this.

[Niall C]

Tim


I agree, leaving well alone would be my preferred option however if it means getting a comp like the Scottish Open to a place like Gullane then I'm all for it.


Niall

[Bill_McBride]

If anyone's going to Gullane, try to see Archie Baird in his wonderful little museum that's part of the #1 pro shop. He's a great character and still playing at 90.   

[Ken Moum]

I was there in mid-May and played No.3, then my wife and I were back through at the end of our trip at the end of June.  Seeing the stands and ancillary stuff for the Scottish Open it's hard to imagine that they'd have been able to get everything in place using the normal first tee.


From the entrance to the visitor's clubhouse:















The practice tee is behind the visitor's clubhouse, hitting west across the 18th of No. 3


K

[mike_beene]

Tim, I agree with your thoughts on composite courses. I feel the same way about the reordering of holes. Isn't a golf course more than a collection of holes to mix, match and muddle at will?

[MClutterbuck]

The Scottish Open will be played this week at Gullane Golf Club on a combination of holes from the #1 and #2 courses.  I'm curious how others feel about events doing this, instead of just playing one of the courses straight up.


I know this has, and does happen at other venues where there are more than one course.  Its happened in the states for majors as well as other tournaments from time to time.


I am sure the organizing officials have there reasons for doing so...perhaps for tournament logistics (tents, concessions, parking, etc) or maybe they just want to cherry pick "good holes" and drop "bad ones".


Maybe its me but I would just prefer they leave well enough alone and play the course with its normal and historic routing...whatever that may be.


Curious to others thoughts on this.

I understand your feelings, but some of the great tournaments around the world are played on Composite courses that are better suited for a tournament than the regular routings that are more suited for member or public play. This feeling would surely go away if the SO is played over this routing in the future and it becomes an accepted routing, as those in other championship venues.


The course looks awesome in the latest pictures and fly overs.