The Guardian (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
• Rule change allows Watson and Norman to skip qualifying • Watson gets reward for stunning 2009 performance Tom Watson will be able to go on playing in The Open beyond next year's championship at St Andrews. The American was one putt away from lifting a record-equalling sixth Claret Jug at Turnberry in July – and at 59 would have been the oldest major winner of all-time by a staggering...
Armchair Golf Blog (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009
A 1930s era golf postcard of Henry Cotton. “ … in an attempt to deflect their [critics’] ire the R&A claimed the inspiration for the changes to the Road Hole came from Sir Henry Cotton, who said in 1964 that he would like to see the hole lengthened and a new tee built.” —Lawrence Donegan, guardian.co.uk SHOULD GOLF PURISTS get their knickers in a knot over the lengthening...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 10/16/2009
• The famous 17th hole will become 35 yards longer • New tee to be built on adjacent driving range The Royal & Ancient defied its reputation as one of the guardians of the game's traditions today when it announced it is radically to alter golf's most celebrated hole, the Road Hole at St Andrews, before next year's Open. Under the changes announced by the R&A chief executive, Peter...
Brandon Tucker (Free subscription) | 10/16/2009
For the first time since 1900, the Road Hole on the Old Course in St. Andrews will be lengthened. In preparation for the 2010 Open Championship, a new tee will be built about 35 yards behind the current tee box on the famous 17th, which requires a drive over the storage shed of the Old Course Hotel . Now pros will have to pick out a new target line on the shed from the new tee and will face a more...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 10/16/2009
• Hole will be 495 yards long and have a new tee • Tim Henman among those to birdie it recently One of the most famous and treacherous holes in golf – the 17th at St Andrews – is being made longer for next year's Open. Called the "Road Hole" – but equally well-known for its tiny but cavernous bunker in front of the green and the fact that drives have been known...
Ladies Club Golf News around the West of Scotland (Free subscription) | 10/10/2009
From the R&A WEBSITE --- SEE THE R&A VIDEO --- CLICK HERE After an absence of more than a century, golf will return as an Olympic sport in 2016 along with rugby sevens following their approval by the International Olympic Committee membership during the IOC’s 121st Session. They will be part of the Olympic Programme in Rio de Janeiro, which last week was selected as the host city for...
GeoffShackelford.com (Free subscription) | 10/09/2009
Martin Ziegler files an optimistic Scotsman story on golf's chances for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games. How about this part of the International Golf Federation's case, made by Peter Dawson:
GeoffShackelford.com (Free subscription) | 10/05/2009
IGF Calls on International Golf Stars to Take Part in Final Olympic Bid Presentation at IOC Session on October 9. Harrington, Pettersen, Wie, Manassero confirmed for Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark (October 5, 2009) – The International Golf Federation has announced that professional golfers Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Michelle Wie of the United States, as well...
Justin's Amazing World At Fenner Paper (Free subscription) | 08/10/2009
Like many of you, this morning, I have received my copy of ISTD Condensed 04 in the post. This is a good read and always something in it to inspire. In this issue there are: 1. The Art of Lost Words - a review of an exhibition by Studio Zwei by Andreas Pohancenik. 2. Looking backwards, moving forwards an article by Michael Johnson who knits the subjects of Massimo Vignelli, shoulder pads and Akzidenz,...
kansascity.com (Free subscription) | 07/21/2009
When Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson called to tell Tom Watson that the game’s governing body was lowering the British Open age limit for exempt former champions from 65 to 60, well, Watson gave his support. “I told him, ‘Peter, I think that’s a sensible thing to do. You have to make room for the younger players to compete in the Open. I concur...
GeoffShackelford.com (Free subscription) | 07/20/2009
I know that course setup talk makes most writers wish they were on the cricket beat, but the excessive role of Turnberry's rough needs to be addressed. And since several scribblers have access to the R& A's Peter Dawson the Monday following, we can only hope they'll probe about the course preparations.
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 07/13/2009
• World No1 declares Turnberry in 'great shape' • Course's 15-year absence from Open rota bizarre Tiger Woods, the man who is never without a plan, arrived here yesterday in pursuit of his first major championship victory of the year and took two holes – or to put it another way, one lost ball – to unlock the secret of winning the 2009 Open Championship. "I think he realised...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 06/05/2009
• Ryder Cup captain in contention at 2010 course • American rival Pavin struggles to make the cut It is not easy being Colin Montgomerie, although it has its occasional advantages. Yesterday at the Wales Open he found some more decent form with a 69 that saw off the theoretical matchplay challenge of his rival Ryder Cup captain, Corey Pavin, by several holes, before contemplating a couple...
Irish Golf Desk (Free subscription) | 11/14/2008
The R&A, the organiser of The Open Championship, and ESPN have reached an eight-year agreement that will place all four rounds of The Open Championship live on ESPN beginning in 2010, it was announced by George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc., and ABC Sports and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A. The new pact will also provide broad and comprehensive rights for digital platforms;...
GeoffShackelford.com (Free subscription) | 07/05/2008
Tom Pernice livens up the lagging groove change discussion just in time for the best of British golf writing to give Peter Dawson a free pass when they lob Nerfballs at the Open Championship's R&A press conference! Doug Ferguson reports on this and other Pernice venting: "Why isn't the PGA Tour and Tim Finchem stepping to the plate and using our own rules?" Pernice said. "Tim's...
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