When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Yes, George Willis in the New York Post actually tries to pass off as "news" this report on the USGA's tiered rough concept.
Even though the USGA's Mike Davis has talked about the concept since taking over for Tom Meeks, and even though this written explanation has been up on USGA.org for two weeks.
Sam Weinman writes about the USGA merchandising tent at Winged Foot.
Measuring 36,000 square feet, Lopuszynski's tent this June will sell more than 400,000 items, of which there are more than 1,000 varieties. It will be manned by some 1,200 volunteers. And while only open for 11 days, the tent's interior will feature all the fixtures — from carpeting to lighting to signage — of a high-end retailer.
I'm hoping we get an Open to L.A. again so I can volunteer to work in the merchandise tent. What fun!
In analyzing Steve Elling's story on the plans for longer anti-birdie rough at Winged Foot, I promised photos.
No. 6 at Winged Foot (click image to enlarge)I'm not sure what exactly to say when looking at these shots of the wonderful par-4 6th and the equally neat par-4 11th. Both have already been stripped of their original strategic charm due to the super-narrow setup leftover from the U.S. Amateur. And this is before the extra tall rough is harvested this spring.
But here's what I'd ask you to consider when looking at these wonderful Tillinghast holes, two of which will not see the new "tiered" rough, but instead, tall stuff designed to reduce red scoring.
Looking at the photos, think of yourself being able to carry the ball 310-340 off the tee in warm weather. Would you try to lay up within these narrow fairways or simply try to drive it as close as possible to the green?
Drives of that distance will bring you within flip wedge range of the green, if not on the green or in surrounding bunkers.
No. 11 at Winged Foot (click on image to enlarge)
In the photo of No. 6, note all of the rough leading up to the leftside fairway bunker. I'm not positive, but I suspect this was meant as a handy little lay-up area to access hole locations tucked behind the front right bunker. I know, that strategy stuff...back when people were allowed to use their brains in the game.
And the narrow fairway on No. 11 is ironic since some width would expose the wonderful rolls and tilt that would take misfires away from the centerline, and toward areas where approach shots would be blocked out by trees. (Hint USGA, that means likely leading to bogies!)
They're here...a U.S. Open preview, even beating the Masters. Sam Weinman previews preparations at Winged Foot.
"To get an event of this scope ready is hard to convey," said Danny Sink, the manager of the 2006 Open who has been on site at the club for some 18 months. "It's a massive undertaking with a lot of moving parts."
So prevalent are these tents, a common criticism lodged at the USGA is that the Open has become more a vehicle for profits than anything else. As a defense, the USGA says those profits are essential to the organization's overall mission. While the Winged Foot Open likely won't rival the record $13 million netted at the 2002 Open at Bethpage Black, it will be profitable enough to underwrite other parts of the USGA budget.
"Obviously, the U.S. Open makes a profit, but that's money we use to help grow the game," Sink said.
Oh it's growing.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
