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HOG Interview
First question for Boynie: How can I be him when I grow up?
Second, and more legitimate question: What changes do the R&A make to the course to prepare it for the open? Thinking about my experience there I know they can back up some of the tees, but what else? Max out the rough? How much faster can they make the greens?
Hello There Alan, good to hear from you.
The R&A have not requested any major changes to the Old Course this year outwith the new tee at the 17th Road hole, positioned on the same line but 40 yards back, now playing at 495 yards. The rest of the tee positions will play as in 2005.
Yes they have put in the obvious requests for the rough to be allowed to grow and for the fairways to run hard and fast. Do not be surprised to find the fairways running faster than the greens(!) if we get a sustained period of dry weather over the next seven days.
The greens will probably run up to 11.5 on the stimp. Unlikely to be any quicker as the wind could be a factor with the ball moving on its’ own accord. This can happen especially at the par3 11th with the steep bank from front to back. The 11th tends to be used as the ‘template’ for the green speed across the course.
They have widened the landing area on the 4th fairway on the right side and they take out a large gorse bush which obstructed the view to this thin landing strip.
The 17th fairway has also been extended, this time on the left, by roughly four/five yards to accommodate the use of drivers from the tee.
Enjoy watching the tournament Alan and I hope you can remember some of the nonesense we had when playing it together last July. Twice in the same day!
Cheers, John.