As someone with an interest in the performance and perception of the course, I'll stay away from most of your questions but I can offer some information on the scores relative to par. At 6500 and change, this may not seem like a big course but it's a long 6500 yards. Slope adjusted the course plays approx 6800 from that distance. The topography is characterized by real elevation change and intersecting slopes to the ball is almost always above or below your feet. typically the green will be receptive to a shot of the opposite shape to that promoted by the lie. 15 is the best example. Reverse camber dogleg. The lie on the approach is materially above the golfer's feet and promotes a right to left shot while the green calls for a cut. Those on the board that have played Lancaster can provide perspective on the elevation changes and slopes.
The river and multiple creeks are magnets for poorly executed or poorly conceived shots. The holes on the front are not particularly long but the misses are costly.
Since 2019, superintendent, Josh Saunders, has done a remarkable job of stressing the turf so that it can withstand minimal water. The result is firm and fast as a rule. Josh is world class. The ball bounces at Lancaster. This has been enhanced by a pre-open agronomy plan developed in partnership with the USGA to ensure texture control, consistency in firmness, drainage and rough health. When this is added to the uneven lies and elevation changes, Lancaster is a course where angles really do matter. Any they matter on every hole if you hope to get the ball close to the day's hole location.
The bunker project completed at the beginning of 2023 has ensured that today's fairway bunkers are consistent with Flynn's original design strategy. In short the bunkers are where good players (aside from elite men, perhaps) place their tee shots. Jim Nagle has worked with the club for 20 years at this point and there has been internal consistency in the green committee which has allowed Jim to work with a client with a consistent vision.
This has been especially important with respect to this Women's Open. Lancaster has no real heritage to speak of as a venue for men's national championships. Rather than be something we are not, we embrace the women's game and the work of Jim and Josh compliments the club's vision as a home for elite women's golf. The course can be stretched to over 7000 yards but it is hardly necessary to achieve what we are seeking to achieve.
Finally, the USGA set up and agronomy teams have been spot on in their presentation of the course. Today the wind changed direction three times with gusts in the mid 20's in the morning. Last night, certain holes, including 12, were shortened to account for the wind. In analyzing the shot data from today, it is apparent that decision making on the recovery shots on 12 led to big numbers. You can't play the ball at a front pin from the back bunkers. A more lateral shot will easily stay on the green and funnel toward the hole.
The greens are fast but not absurd but if you are in the wrong place, you will struggle to stop the ball close given some of the slopes in the greens.
Ultimately, every element for creative championship golf is present this week. Firm and fast surfaces, difficult rough, strategic bunkering, meaningful topography and slopes, wind and great variety in the length of the holes. Scores will be better tomorrow when the wind dies down.
I hope as many of you as possible make it to Lancaster this weekend. If not, watch and chime in.
From my 20 plus years on GCA it seems that this is Women's Open is tracking towards what this board seeks in a championship.