The US Open is being played at Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego. Here’s a link to a page with all lots of info on this years title, and below are a few snippets that caught our eye.
1. Harry Vardon was due to travel to play in 1912 when a dose of tuberculosis made him cancel his trip. He was booked on the maiden voyage of the Titanic.
2. Only 11 players entered the first Open in 1895.
3. That year’s tournament was held on a nine hole course – so four rounds for the 36 hole competition. The assistant Pro from the home course, Horace Rawlins, won it, with the princely first prize pay cheque of $150.
4. The US Amateur Open was played on the same course the same week, and was considered to be the far more prestigious event.
5. Angel Cabrera was the first European triumph since Jacko in 1970. Come on Sergio!
6. You can enter if you have a handicap of 1.4 or better. Click here for the entry form
7. What Jacko said on his 1970 win;
“One more important thing about this victory, it proved that my British Open victory was no fluke. It’s always been my contention that the winners of major tournaments are the true champions, although at times luck may play a part in the victory. Naturally, after I won the British Open, I entertained some suspicious thoughts about luck, but when I one the US Open, this was all dissolved.”
(That’s rather gobby Tone. If a player said that now they’d probably get Poulterised by the Press)
8. About course preparation at Pebble Beach;
“There’s really not much to do. We’re just mowing the greens and letting the rough grow. When it gets so that only a couple of guys on our staff can break 80 it’ll be ready”.
9. On the rough at Winged Foot;
“It couldn’t have been too bad a lie. I could still see your knees.” Hubert Green.
“When I was walking down the fairway I saw a bunch of USGA guys down on their hands and knees parting the rough trying to find my ball. I knew I was in trouble.” Jim Colbert.
10. And finally, a bit of a tribute to Payne Stewart (1957-1999). The outfits. What a legend. Fairways are a lot duller without him…winner in ’91 and ’99.
“I’m 42 now, what I would consider prime time. ”
“But in the end it’s still a game of golf, and if at the end of the day you can’t shake hands with your opponents and still be friends, then you’ve missed the point.”
I still want an answer to my request after playing Northern Ireland Links Courses at Easter.
Go Kart really enjoyed the challenge, but it would have been easier if the battery could have been re-charged in the car between courses.
Any chance of your techies inventing a 12 volt in-car charger ?
Hi Roy,
Not at the moment – we’re concerned that this method of charging (very sporadic unless you’re driving a lot every day) might not charge the battery efficiently, and a badly charged battery is about as much good as a sponge golf ball.