Should the Open always be in Scotland?

[JungleJ]

I have seen some articles (OK, AN article) suggesting that the Open should always be played in Scotland. Agree or disagree?

The Scottish courses on the rota are:

St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Muirfield, Turnberry

The English courses are:

Royal St Georges, Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Royal Liverpool (Hoylake).

There are no Irish courses on the current rota, and the Open has only ever been played there once.

[petermo]

There are many reasons that it should not be the most important of which is that it is the British Open which includes England, Wales and Scotland. The following extract from an article by Dale Hayes, who was the youngest winner on the Europen Tour, may be of interest too since it relates to the Claret Jug amongst other things:

"I just had the good fortune of being immersed for one day in an event at Royal Blackheath, on the outskirts of London that took me back 400 years to the place where a group of golfers first had the idea of forming a golf club. Originally their golf was played on a 5-hole course that was cut out on the Blackheath common and it was only moved to the present site of the golf club, ninety odd years ago. Royal Blackheath has some of the most amazing golfing memorabilia housed in a museum upstairs in their clubhouse which includes the original Claret Jug, the trophy that is given to the winner of the Open Championship.


Five years before the Open Championship started to give the Claret Jug to the winner, ten golf clubs; nine in Scotland and Royal Blackheath, played a match for the Claret Jug. Among many other incredible items, they also have the first medal that was played for in golf, which is how medal play got its name. Attending the celebration was one of Britain’s greatest ever golfers, Neil Coles; Bernard Gallagher, who captained the Ryder Cup a few years ago and the patron of Royal Blackheath, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. We, along with two hundred other people from all walks of life, also had the opportunity of playing the 5 holes that were re-created for the occasion on the common, with hickory shafted golf clubs. "

[Bigvivec]

I'd like to see Royal County Down added...

[JungleJ]

For sure I'd like to see an Irish course or two added to the rota. The problem so far is that the R&A have not identified an Irish course that is accessible enough by road and spacious enough to accommodate the galleries. I have no doubt that an Open in Ireland would be a HUGE success in every way. Similarly, if a suitable Welsh corse were identified I'd like to see it added.

This may be controversial but I believe that the Old Course, home of golf or not, is not really all that great as an Open venue. For that matter Hoylake wasn't all that great either.

[Fileygolfer]

NO and thats a big NO.
If it was, it would be The Scottish Open and have equal standing as the French, Spanish, German etc Opens.
It would be nice to go to Northern Ireland and Wales too but the R&A have not been able to find suitable sites.

[Ty_Webb]

Originally Posted by petermo

most important of which is that it is the British Open

tsk

[Fileygolfer]

We have had this discussion before.

It is "Officially" THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP and has been since 1860.
Thirty Four years later the US started their Open Championship "Officially" called THE US OPEN but our American friends call it 'The Open' too and then refer to THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP as The British Open.
I have no problem with this, as long as it is known that The British Open is THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

[JungleJ]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

I'd like to see Royal County Down added...

RCD or Portrush would be great tests.

[JungleJ]

I have also read that the R&A have been taking at look at Royal Cinque Ports (or Deal as it is also known) near Royal St Georges. RCP was once in the rota (in the1920s) and had been neglected for many years. One issue it has is that it is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest or something like that and so there are concerns that the galleries could cause havoc with the flora/fauna that are of interest there.

[Ty_Webb]

Originally Posted by JungleJ

I have also read that the R&A have been taking at look at Royal Cinque Ports (or Deal as it is also known) near Royal St Georges. RCP was once in the rota (in the1920s) and had been neglected for many years. One issue it has is that it is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest or something like that and so there are concerns that the galleries could cause havoc with the flora/fauna that are of interest there.

I heard that they were looking at 2016. It's not particularly easy to get to, but Kent County Council are I think talking about putting a road in from Canterbury that basically goes directly to the golf course.

It's quite a quirky course with some wild undulations in places. I'd love to see the pros play there because of all the courses on the Open rota, this is the one that I know the best. I quite like the course, but I know a lot of people don't much. I don't think it's particularly comparable with Royal St Georges.

[Darth Fader]

If it was always played in Scotland it would save me a fortune in fuel bills,but the way they have things running just now is the best way,someday the infrastructure will be in place for the open to be played in Ireland and Wales as well but until then it will be a Scotland, England alternate.

[stlcard_25]

Originally Posted by Fileygolfer

We have had this discussion before.

It is "Officially" THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP and has been since 1860.
Thirty Four years later the US started their Open Championship "Officially" called THE US OPEN but our American friends call it 'The Open' too and then refer to THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP as The British Open.
I have no problem with this, as long as it is known that The British Open is THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

I usually call each one The Open as it comes up on the schedule. Easier for me to talk about it with others.

As for the thread topic...absolutely it should not always be in Scotland. There are plenty of brilliant courses in England, as well as Wales and Ireland that I would love to see have their day in the sun. We'll see if they get there eventually.

[mr3856a]

I believe the Scottish Open should always be in Scotland.

[drstroud]

To those on the other side of the pond, Would the K Club work as a site for The Open Championship? It did host the Ryder Cup (no need to rehash the results) in 2006.

[Darth Fader]

Originally Posted by drstroud

To those on the other side of the pond, Would the K Club work as a site for The Open Championship? It did host the Ryder Cup (no need to rehash the results) in 2006.

In short it couldnt hold the open as its not a links course.

[drstroud]

Originally Posted by Darth Fader

In short it couldnt hold the open as its not a links course.

Is that an unwritten rule?

[coralpro]

Nope, it should be held in England. That's why it is called the British Open.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by coralpro

Nope, it should be held in England. That's why it is called the British Open.

You do know that England and Britain aren't the same thing, right?

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by mr3856a

You do know that England and Britain aren't the same thing, right?

Yes, but tell them that.

[Darth Fader]

Originally Posted by drstroud

Is that an unwritten rule?

Its the tradition,its always been played on a links course and it always will.

[Fileygolfer]

Originally Posted by coralpro

Yes, but tell them that.

Tell who, the English or The Brits?

[JungleJ]

Originally Posted by coralpro

Nope, it should be held in England. That's why it is called the British Open.

You do know it's NOT called the British Open, right?

[Diane]

Originally Posted by JungleJ

You do know it's NOT called the British Open, right?

No, of course he doesn't know or he doesn't care. May I remind you that you're talking to CP.