I am obliged to Rhod McEwan for informing me that yesterday was the birthday of Old Tom Morris, who was born in 1821.
What the dear old gentleman would have to say about Chambers Bay, the new ‘links course’ built on reclaimed land where this week’s US Open Championship is being played, is a matter for speculation.
Opinions about the course, mostly extremely critical, are already the big talking point of the week but I have to agree with Brandon Tucker of Golf Advisor who says, “Let’s remember that golf didn’t begin on sandy dunes in St. Andrews because it was ideal for the new game, but mostly because the land was next to town with little use for farming or building. Golf design is at its best when a great course is built on otherwise useless or used-up land, and that may ultimately be what’s remembered most about Chambers Bay.”
A record number (21) Britons have qualified to play at Chambers Bay, including the exciting 18-year old amateur, Sam Horsfield. It’s going to be a fascinating few days.
Geoff Russell, Publisher
publisher@golfbusinessnews.com
@GBNPublisher
