Can there be a greater dichotomy between two experiences for fans of professional golf? The Waste Management Phoenix Open is golf’s greatest party, while The Masters is arguably the most revered.
The 2022 professional men’s majors are now in the rearview mirror and one thing is undeniable … the golf courses were the biggest winners.
Going as far back as September 2021, Whistling Straits took center stage as the United States dominated Team Europe to regain the cup. While some feared the layout resembled a Scottish links course and, therefore, would favor the visiting squad, Team USA won by an amazing score of 19-9.
I mention the Ryder Cup first because some questioned placing Scottie Scheffler on the 12-man roster. Afterall, he had never won on Tour and two players—including Captain America, Patrick Reed—had more qualifying points than him. In hindsight, not only did Scheffler hold his own, he took down a red-hot John Rahm in Sunday Singles.
Fast forward to Augusta, Ga. in April and Tiger Woods gave Augusta National Golf Club a run for its money on the hype scale. It takes a legend returning to competition after nearly losing his life in a horrific car accident a year earlier to challenge the Bobby Jones-Alister MacKenzie design.
Tiger impressed the world by making the cut, but it was the aforementioned Scheffler who donned the coveted green jacket in the end. Through Tea Olive and Pink Dogwood, around Amen Corner and dropping the final putt on Holly, the young Texan (more than) proved he belonged.
As a sidenote … Scheffler won his first-ever tournament a couple months earlier at the TPC of Scottsdale. Can there be a greater dichotomy between two experiences? The Waste Management Phoenix Open is golf’s greatest party, while The Masters is arguably the most revered.
Southern Hills Country Club stepped into the spotlight in May and, once again, Tiger stole the early headlines. In the end, Justin Thomas—and the creek on Southern Hills’ 18th hole (see: Mito Pereira)—emerged victorious.
Originally designed by Perry Maxwell and renovated by Keith Foster, Southern Hills has now hosted five PGA Championships and three U.S. Opens. Fun fact: The course played at 6,973 yards for the last U.S. Open (2001) but was stretched to a whopping 7,556 yards for this tournament.
The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. hosted the 2022 U.S. Open, which was won by Matthew Fitzpatrick. Francis Ouimet’s dramatic win in the 1913 U.S. Open received plenty of publicity throughout the TV coverage, but many in our industry were equally impressed with how well Kristen LaCount, the club’s first female General Manager, did in her hosting duties. As you probably know, LaCount was recognized as a co-winner of the 2018 “Rising Star” Award through the Excellence in Club Management Awards while she was Assistant General Manager at the club.
Interestingly, The Country Club boasts a total of 27 holes, divided between two courses—the Main Course (Clyde and Squirrel nines) and the Primrose Course, an executive course built in 1927. The course used for major competitions is generally a configuration, with three and a half holes from the Primrose Course used to replace three holes of the Clyde. For the 2022 U.S. Open, the par-4 4th hole of the Main Course was removed and the par-3 12th hole of the Main Course added. It didn’t seem to faze Fitzpatrick, who also won the 2013 U.S. Amateur at The Country Club.
Last, but certainly not least, the Old Course at St Andrews played host to the 150th Open Championship, which was won by Australian Cam Smith. (I’ll never get comfortable leaving out the period after St)
Critics always worry about today’s technology overwhelming the ancient links, but it’ll be a sad day if the Royal & Ancient ever removes it from the Open rotation. Its main defense is the weather, which was picture perfect for four days, but the venerable layout was still a joy to see. I, like most avid golfers, hope to someday play the course for myself.
Looking ahead, the annual trek to Augusta National will be followed by trips to Oak Hill Country Club’s East Course, Rochester, N.Y., Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club’s North Course, and Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, Wirral, England.
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