Pinehurst No. 2 was nothing but perfect for the U.S. Open.....at least in the traditional sense of major championships in the United States.
Many are wondering if we may have seen the future of golf courses with many golfers indicating that Pinehurst No. 2 had some thinking British Open.
In watching the U.S. Open you immediately got the feeling that it looked like a yard that had not been watered in a month.
Sandy areas replaced thick rough off the fairways and looked like this was partially covered with weeds but Pinehurst Resort officials called it "natural vegetation."
The new look course showed edges of the bunkers ragged, the turf was uneven just off some of the greens and instead of those usually nice major championship fairways golfers were greeted with a blend of yellow, green and brown.
This was the plan all along but initial reaction from some local golfers I talked to was negative.
Been told that the new design required a big percent less water but USGA executive director Mike Davis plainly stated, "brown is the new green," and that a course doesn't have to be sparkling green to be enjoyable.
Shortly after this Donald Ross gem was awarded its third U.S. Open in 15 years, the fabled No. 2 course went through a gutsy project to restore it to its natural look from yesteryear......before the notion that the condition of a course had to be perfect.
In talking with several local golf course superintendents their general feelings were that in our area they were more concerned with getting rid of water than putting it down and that drainage systems are very important for maintenance here.
An interesting fact about the new look U.S. Open course is that the new design requires 74 percent less water and a substantial savings on fertilizer and pesticides and golf course maintenance folks have been cognizant of costs as budgets get squeezed at golf courses.
As for the idea of a major U.S. tournament being played without a rough golfers at the U.S. Open pointed to clumps of grass in the sandy areas along with the wireglass bushes and of course some weeds.
Reality is that there was rough very evident on this course and it's probably what rough used to be like before irrigation.
What the new look Pinehurst No. 2 U.S. Open course restoration project involved was the removal of some 35 acres of sod and keeping only 450 of the 1,150 sprinkler heads.
Are golfers giving this new look their approval as they look back in the past......we don't expect many local superintendents to give us this new look until golfers think it's OK or budgets force them to do so.
Ed's Outlook
Rory McIlroy took to Twitter recently to ask about his missing golf clubs.
It seems they were lost in transit as he traveled from the U.S. Open in Pinehurst N.C., where he tied for 23rd., to
Dublin, Ireland for the start of the Irish Open June 19-22.
"Hey@United," he tweeted. "Landed in Dublin yesterday morning from Newark and still no golf clubs.....sort of need them this week.....can someone help?"
To United's credit, the airline got back to him via Twitter and then followed through on getting his clubs to the course.
Ah, the power of social media.
It might have been just as well had United not found the clubs. McIIroy only played the first two days of the tournament. He got the weekend off having missed the cut.
Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, cell at 845-866-0333, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
Yes it does rain on the golf course.
As much as we would like to avoid rain some moisture is going to fall on us while we are enjoying a tour of the golf course.
Additional advise for playing in the rain is important because the rain is full of distractions. It can become a distinct advantgage for players with powers of concentration stronger than their physical abilities.
With the assumption that you at least have your rain suit handy, here are a few extra arrows for your wet quiver.
* Have you tried Latex gloves? Rubber on rubber doesn't slip. Pulling them out at just the right time can be fun too. I like the yellow-colored ones the best. Naturally, it takes a plop, but you can do it. The "rain gloves" made by several manufactures are another option if you lack some chutzpah.
* Wear your contact lenses, if you have them. It's tough to hit the ball when you'r seeing three of them because of the raindrops on your glasses.
* Bring several towels. They'll come in handy for a variety of reasons.
* Bring several hats..... golfers can't hack the drips.
* Re-read the casual water rule.
* Always dry your ball and your putter blade before making the stroke.
* Remember shots out of the wet sand always go farther.
* Bring a baggie for your scorecard. It's nice to show your opponent how badly you "out mudded" then once you return to the 19th hole.
Robert Menges is the golf pro at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question you would like covered. He can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net
Putting Tip
By Joseph Bermel Jr.
In putting I link organization with strategy.
The strategy component is easier than you might think, involving:
A. Picking a distance based on the current realistic skill from which a golfer can reasonably attempt a one-putt, say 10 to 12 feet.
B. With all putts longer than say, 12 feet, the thought is to get the first putt close enough to the hole to get a 2-putt result.
Remember, 2 putting is good putting for the average golfer.
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How To Putt Well" and 2014 Golf Tip Calendar is available by calling 631-589-1394, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
No comments:
Post a Comment