Despite criticism around the globe, the first stage of ‘largely unaltered’ changes to the famed Old Course at St. Andrews have been completed.
Work, sanctioned by the Links Trust and the R & A Championship Committee, was undertaken over the winter and involving the 2nd, 7th, 11th and 17th holes.
Next winter the second phase will commence and include the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 15th holes.
The most notable of the changes at the second hole involved the filling in of old bunkers in front of the second and installing two larger bunkers some 20 yards back towards the tee.
The double 7th and 11th green has been widened to the left to allow for more pin placements in playing the 11th.
There has also been work on a mound at the approach to the 7th green while the notorious Road Hole bunker has been widened at the par four, 17th.
News of proposed changes was greeted by widespread disapproval and with five-time Open Champion, Peter Thomson and a member of the R & A, remarking: “It’s like a bad dream.”
Tiger Woods, winner of The Open at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005, commented on the changes to the 17th hole bunker, saying: “I think 17 is hard enough as it is. I don’t think we need to make that bunker any deeper or bigger.”
England’s Ian Poulter declared: “If they make changes to the Old Course at St Andrews they are insane. The course is great; just leave the winning score up to Mother Nature.
“I know lets draw a Moustache on the Mona Lisa, I’m sure everyone would like that. Let’s put a bridge and a windmill over the Valley of Sin as well, just as another option when playing the last hole with the better discount golf clubs.”
Last month, former US Open champion, Geoff Ogilvy also brought the Mona Lisa into the argument adding: “It’s disappointing, in that the whole point of it is to make us shoot a slightly higher score every five years [at The Open], and it’s embarrassing – disgusting – that they’re doing it for that reason.
“I mean, it’s hard to have the words to describe the arrogance of doing something like that, it’s incredible.
“It’s like, ‘The Mona Lisa is fading a little so let’s put some colour into her face, people will enjoy it more’. Or ‘The Sistine Chapel is a bit small now for the number of people who want to go through it, let’s make it bigger”.
However when www.golfbytourmiss.com inspected the work earlier this week we agree with R & A Chief Executive Officer, Peter Dawson that the changes leave the famed Old Course largely unaltered.
Dawson had remarked at the time of announcing changes to the Old Course: “We have considered the challenge presented to the world’s top golfers by each of The Open Championship venues and carried out a programmed of improvements over the last ten years. While some holes have been lengthened on the Old Course in recent years it has otherwise remained largely unaltered.
“The Championship Committee felt there was an opportunity to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. The proposals from Martin Hawtree should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course.”
He went on to say that all comparatively small and: “It’s men with shovels and wheelbarrows rather than bulldozers.”
Take a look for yourself at www.golfbytourmiss.com photographs hereunder.
Work (area roped) on mounding at the approach to the 7th green. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
View off the par three, 11th tee. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Sign on the 11th tee highlighting changes to the green. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The double green has been widened at the 11th to accommodate more pin placements. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The mound at the back of the 11th green has been sofened. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Approach into the par four, 17th hole. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Work around the approach to the 17th hole bunker is clearly obvious. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Additional work on the Old Course – a new path leading from the 8th tee. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
