3/18/2023 0 Comments Us open linkedinTillinghast design, two top 100 courses, the New York City area and the "Massacre at Winged Foot" book by Dick Schapp. Mungeam: Five things come immediately to mind: traditional US Open course, a A.W. Perhaps the spectacular bunkers are some of the most aesthetically pleasing I have ever seen. I also think of the beautiful trees and stunning white face bunkers. John Fought: Great championship golf courses. Stephen Kay: Tilly the terror, Hale Irwin seven-over-par and Phil blew it. In each there are a lot of common nuisances and parasites that are best left out of the picture altogether.” That’s timely for several reasons. His line on trees was particularly memorable: “Forests on a golf course are like communities, and trees are like men. I’m reminded of some of his writing, which was among the best ever in golf design. Let's see what Winged Foot has in store this time around to possibly echo the past.įorrest Richardson: It’s difficult not to immediately associate the club with Tillinghast. The first golf book I ever read was "Massacre at Winged Foot," about Hale Irwin's 1974 Open victory when he won with a score of 287. It's the closest US Open venue to where I grew up and still reside. When you hear the words "Winged Foot" - what comes to mind?ĭoug Smith: Winged Foot means golf history. Five architects weigh in on how they anticipate matters will unfold and what issues need immediate attention going forward. How the West Course will fare versus the latest generation of players armed with today's most sophisticated golf balls and clubs is the major unknown. Winged Foot is a traditional Northeast venue and having an event which runs smoothly would significantly maximize the standing of the association given the criticism levied by a range of players. Recent Opens have been marred by various controversies either involving course set-ups or rules issues. The stakes are especially high for the United States Golf Association (USGA), the organization which conducts the event. The September playing dates were necessitated because of the global pandemic, and like other key golf events, no gallery will be permitted to observe play. Normally, the US Open is staged in mid-June with the final round coinciding with Father's Day. That figure tied the second highest score in relationship to par since World War II. No competitor broke par during the first round and eventual winner Hale Irwin snared the trophy with a plus seven 287 score. Of course, the most talked about previous Open happened in 1974. Clearing an 80-foot-tall tree at the turn of the dogleg with the second shot is imperative to allow a clear view of the green. The 633-yard, par-5 12th at Winged Foot is the longest hole on the course. The last US Open contested at Winged Foot was 2006 when a slew of challengers - most notably Phil Mickelson - failed to finish strongly and Aussie Geoff Ogilvy emerged as the victor. The surfaces are generally pear shaped and feature deep flanking bunkers that seem to reduce the available landing area when viewed from the player's perspective when attempting approach shots. A number of them were crafted by Tillinghast on rock outcroppings and feature a devilish array of internal movements. Various tee box extensions have been carried out - the most notable coming at the renowned par-3 10th which is now 216 yards instead of previous play at 190 yards.Īlthough the terrain of the West Course is relatively devoid of any serious land movement the same cannot be said of the vexing putting surfaces. Unlike past Opens, the 5th and 9th holes have had their par designations flipped - the 5th, formerly a par-5 is now a par-4 and the 9th, formerly a long par-4 will play as a par-5. Total length stretched to just under 7,500 yards and still playing to a par of 70. The West Course layout has been updated by the new "US Open doctor" - architect Gil Hanse. ![]() Winged Foot's 36-holes have been the scene of a number of major events and this week's US Open marks the 6th time hosting the event. Tillinghast and to showcase its unrelenting character only two men have ever broken par for 72-holes in previous Opens contested at the Westchester County-based club. The 36-hole complex is the handiwork of legendary architect A.W. ![]() ![]() For the 6th time the United States Open Championship returns to the famed West Course at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York this week.
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