So here we are, the final day of the US Open in North Carolina. You have seen the course and it is not exactly what you remembered the last time you saw No. 2 on TV. Maybe you have read the articles on the renovation, you have at least seen the before and after comparisons on the Golf Channel."Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
I had the opportunity to play No. 2 shortly after the renovation in 2011. Click here to read my review.
No rough. No problem. Maybe the scores after 3 days are a little better than usual, but one thing remains constant. It is still a tough golf course. The fairways are like hitting off concrete and missing the fairway can be costly. It is more difficult now after seeing it mature since 2011.Next week is the Women's Open!?! How can they do that? Well No. 2 is built to handle this kind of traffic. Pin locations will change and tee and landing areas will vary next week. Less is more at No.2. The most difficult task is having staff putting in some long hours.
Some golf courses may have no choice but to follow in these footsteps. The cost to manage and operate golf courses are increasing at a faster rate than the number of golfers coming to the game. But it also helps to have people like Donald Ross, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore to provide the vision.
Next year won't be a far stretch from this year's Open as the USGA visits Chambers Bay outside of Seattle. The buzz word will be fescue. You will see more brown grass, sandy soils and lots of roll.
Our intern Patrick from last season is now an Assistant Superintendent at Chambers Bay. I look forward to keeping in touch with him not only to see how his career grows, but also to learn how that golf course prepares for the next US Open.
Happy Father's Day!
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