[Rich Goodale]

Hopefully Scotland will vote for Independence and from 2015 there will be no Opens outside of the home of golf.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Interesting to get Adrian's response. He lives and works in an area that could provide a solution to our search for a new Open venue. watch this space!

[Rich Goodale]

Tom, the Dowie was changed quite a long time ago. There was no OB on the hole for the 1967 Open, and Cameron Sinclair later rebuilt the green.

I wrote a piece on the history of the hole a few years ago. http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/Article/The-dumbing-down-of-Dowie/2088/Default.aspx#.U8rhu2K9KSM

You are correct that the Royal green was moved before the 2006 Open. With the green hard against the boundary fence spectators would have been unable easily to access the 18th/2nd hole.

Adam:

I played the Dowie in 1982 and 1985.  It hasn't been gone that long.  However, I didn't realize that they failed to honor the boundary for the Open in 1967.

You are right, Tom.  I first played the Dowie in 1981 and it was hard OB left.  Next time I played it was BUDA 2006 and our most beloved golfer hooked his tee shot onto the next tee.  Ran pitched from there to the green, sunk the putt and then cried like a baby at the insanity of it all....

Rich

[Mark Chaplin]

Rich of course if Scotland votes for independence and the R&A vote to exclude women, they'll be no Opens at St Andrews so Scotland can be pleased to take a stance!

[Rich Goodale]

I don't worry, Mark.  If your Yes/No scenario happens, Wee Eck will declare St. Andrews as the capital of the People's Republic of Scotland and expropriate the R&A clubhouse for his official residence.  There will be Opens every 2-3 years or so on the Old Course.  It will be golfing nirvana.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Rich of course if Scotland votes for independence and the R&A vote to exclude women, they'll be no Opens at St Andrews so Scotland can be pleased to take a stance!

That would be a dream result. Sign me up for the Wha Hae Woman Haters Party!

[Jay Flemma]

Slightly off the original topic, but as I'm planning my first trip to England fr next year, here is my tick list of must-plays in England.  Did I leave out anything essential?  I mean really essential - like it would be a big miss to leave it off the list?  IS anything on here to marginal to be on the list.

Reddish Vale         Royal St. Georges
Wallasey            Royal Cinque Port (Deal)
Royal Lytham*         Princes
Royal Birkdale*         Littlestone
Alwoody            Walton Heath
Moortown            Sunningdale (Old)
Swinley Forest         Huntercombe
St. Enodoc

The trip next year will either be all Southeast/Kent + St. Enodoc or it will be half Kent and half Birkdale and something close to Birkdale.  Shout out any "proposed itineraries" and get the kettle on the boil and hide the PG Tips, I prefer Harney and Sons:)  And yes, strawberries and cream for breakfast every morning:)

It will be a working gig as I'll be writing up the whole trip, still I really look forward to meeting my GCA.com friends from across the pond in person, (as well as hanging with the English writers and broadcasters!). 

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Jay, for my taste Ganton comes before Moortown, Formby ought to be on the NW itinerary, Silloth is a long way from anywhere, but worth the lengthy journey and I'd suggest Royal West Norfolk if only it weren't so far away, but you might manage to throw in Royal Worlington - exquisite.

[Jay Flemma]

So two questions guys:

1.  Of the courses I listed on my tick list above, which ones are closest to Royal Birkdale so as to be convenient to play both Birkdale and something nearby?

2.  Why is everyone that's been kind enough to reach out to me been so luke-warm about Royal Lytham?

[Bill_McBride]

So two questions guys:

1.  Of the courses I listed on my tick list above, which ones are closest to Royal Birkdale so as to be convenient to play both Birkdale and something nearby?

2.  Why is everyone that's been kind enough to reach out to me been so luke-warm about Royal Lytham?

You've overlooked Rye.  Not a good idea.  The second course there, the Jubilee, is a lot of fun too. 

[Mark Chaplin]

Jay - Unless you want to play all 5 then choose Rye over Princes and/or Littlestone.

Remember full days at a club are far better value than 18 on a top course and moving to another top course in the afternoon.

Don't miss Sunningdale New it's extremely good.

It's fashionable here not to like Lytham or Woodhall Spa, personally I'd play either over a couple on your list.

[Jay Flemma]

Oh Lytham is on the list, Mark.  Don't worry about that.   

Rye is home to the President's Putter!  My friend John Hopkins wrote a great article about that tournament.

Incidentally, John's new book is quite good...

[Duncan Cheslett]

I'm planning my first trip to England fr next year, here is my tick list of must-plays in England.  Did I leave out anything essential?  I mean really essential - like it would be a big miss to leave it off the list?  IS anything on here to marginal to be on the list.

Reddish Vale         Royal St. Georges
Wallasey            Royal Cinque Port (Deal)
Royal Lytham*         Princes
Royal Birkdale*         Littlestone
Alwoody            Walton Heath
Moortown            Sunningdale (Old)
Swinley Forest         Huntercombe
St. Enodoc

The trip next year will either be all Southeast/Kent + St. Enodoc or it will be half Kent and half Birkdale and something close to Birkdale.  Shout out any "proposed itineraries" and get the kettle on the boil and hide the PG Tips, I prefer Harney and Sons:)  And yes, strawberries and cream for breakfast every morning:)

It will be a working gig as I'll be writing up the whole trip, still I really look forward to meeting my GCA.com friends from across the pond in person, (as well as hanging with the English writers and broadcasters!).  

Jay,

Delighted to see Reddish Vale topping your list of "must -plays"! 

I would be delighted for you to join me as my guest whenever suits your schedule. We are less than an hour from Birkdale, Lytham, and Wallasey so combining RV with a top links course in the same day is a cinch.

Manchester International Airport is an increasingly popular gateway for transatlantic visitors and is only 15 minutes from the course. Best of all, top golf writer and GCAer Mark Rowlinson lives down the road and will surely be enticed out for a round!

[Garland Bayley]

Tom Watson is promoting Royal Porthcawl to the R&A for The Open Championship. Says it is tougher than Liverpool where he just finished 51st (was it?).

[Thomas Dai]

Tom Watson is promoting Royal Porthcawl to the R&A for The Open Championship. Says it is tougher than Liverpool where he just finished 51st (was it?).

I've heard he's been promoting Royal Aberdeen to the R&A for The Open for quite a while too.
Atb

[Tommy Williamsen]

Slightly off the original topic, but as I'm planning my first trip to England fr next year, here is my tick list of must-plays in England.  Did I leave out anything essential?  I mean really essential - like it would be a big miss to leave it off the list?  IS anything on here to marginal to be on the list.

Reddish Vale         Royal St. Georges
Wallasey            Royal Cinque Port (Deal)
Royal Lytham*         Princes
Royal Birkdale*         Littlestone
Alwoody            Walton Heath
Moortown            Sunningdale (Old)
Swinley Forest         Huntercombe
St. Enodoc

The trip next year will either be all Southeast/Kent + St. Enodoc or it will be half Kent and half Birkdale and something close to Birkdale.  Shout out any "proposed itineraries" and get the kettle on the boil and hide the PG Tips, I prefer Harney and Sons:)  And yes, strawberries and cream for breakfast every morning:)

It will be a working gig as I'll be writing up the whole trip, still I really look forward to meeting my GCA.com friends from across the pond in person, (as well as hanging with the English writers and broadcasters!). 

Jay, St Enodoc is a long way from any of the other courses you listed.  If you do go there, you will be near to Westward Ho!, Saunton, and Burnham and Borrow.

[Mark Pearce]

Serious question this, as I've never played the course, would Seaton Carew be a possible Open venue? Plenty of audience in the north east? Or isn't the course quite up to what the R&A would want, or would someone argue its too close to Muirfield?

Cheers,

James

I thought that James but then with Hartlepool as the back drop Still, good course with summer and winter versions.

It isn't Hartlepool that's the problem with the view.  It's looking the other way, down to Seal Sands and the chemical plants.

[Adam Lawrence]

Serious question this, as I've never played the course, would Seaton Carew be a possible Open venue? Plenty of audience in the north east? Or isn't the course quite up to what the R&A would want, or would someone argue its too close to Muirfield?

Cheers,

James

I thought that James but then with Hartlepool as the back drop Still, good course with summer and winter versions.

It isn't Hartlepool that's the problem with the view.  It's looking the other way, down to Seal Sands and the chemical plants.

Not all of can play good golf with thebackdrop of a monkey on a gibbet, Mark!

[Jon Wiggett]

Serious question this, as I've never played the course, would Seaton Carew be a possible Open venue? Plenty of audience in the north east? Or isn't the course quite up to what the R&A would want, or would someone argue its too close to Muirfield?

Cheers,

James

I thought that James but then with Hartlepool as the back drop Still, good course with summer and winter versions.

It isn't Hartlepool that's the problem with the view.  It's looking the other way, down to Seal Sands and the chemical plants.

Mark,

you have clearly never had to overnight in Hartlepool. At least the chemical plant is well lit and has security on a night

Jay,

I am always surprised about the low regard many people have for Lytham. IMO it is a a very good course with a cracking back nine and one of the iconic finishing holes. Of course it does lack not having a caravan park on its boundary and therefore can not be considered a true links

Jon

[Sean_A]

Jon

I will tell my issue with Lytham.  Sand, sand everywhere.  I am supsicious about courses which need 100 bunkers.  I am dismissive of courses which need 200 bunkers.

Ciao

[Jay Flemma]

So 2 questions:

If I had time to play 1 course near birkdale which should it be?

Which is more convenient for a day trip from London by train? Birkdale or Lytham?

[Duncan Cheslett]

Early train to Manchester. I pick you up and we play Reddish Vale. My treat.

We drive to Southport and play Birkdale. Your treat.  

I drop you back in Manchester for London train.

Simple...

[Jay Flemma]

That sounds like fun actually:). You know what I have to do...come when one of my rock band clients is playing Manchester...

[Duncan Cheslett]

You're on!

I also blow a mean harp if your boys need a helping hand...

[Jay Flemma]

Now besides Reddish, what else is close to Birkdale?  Which is closer to the rail - Birkdale or Lytham?

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