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Post by Richie3Jack on Sept 4, 2012 11:12:56 GMT -5
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Post by cwdlaw223 on Sept 4, 2012 12:11:34 GMT -5
I have a bad feeling that the "logistics" will be a nightmare. There isn't enough space and the "main line" is cramped all the time without adding 25,000 spectators. Shuttling back and forth from the King of Prussia mall will be a pain in the ass. I'll probably still go, but I have my doubts that the logistics will work for spectators and some pros for that matter.
I'm a big believer the best way to "Tiger proof" a course is to make it shorter, add fairway bunkers and take the driver away. Double or triple the amount of danger zone shots and now even par is the standard.
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Post by Richie3Jack on Sept 4, 2012 12:58:48 GMT -5
I'm excited about the US Open being held there. While I don't feel the club should lose a lot of money for holding a Major, it's a private club which is not designed to make big profits anyway. I think the USGA saying that they expect to take a hit is code for 'instead of making tons of cash, we'll make less than a ton of cash.' Believe me, I hear it all of the time working with C-level executives and company shareholders.
To me, the US Open should be able to be held in a place like Merion. While the grand venues like Congressional are nice and make a lot of money, the US Open isn't about making money, it's supposed to be about the golf. It would be like the Chicago Bears over-selling tickets and not wanting to adjust to the logistics for Soldier Field, the smallest stadium in the NFL in the 3rd largest city in the country. It's still a great place for football.
The only thing I liked about Olympic Club is that it didn't blatantly favor bombers who could recklessly swing for the fences on every drive. Hell, Webb Simpson won it and has been decidingly mediocre off the tee. He also was tearing it up at one point on Sunday and when he did hit a poor tee shot, like on the 72nd hole, he had to hit good shots to come away with a par. Kind of how golf should be.
The issue I had with Olympic is the amount of irons it forces the golfer to take off the tee. That's the only thing that worries me about Merion.
That being said, there are a number of ways to make a 7,500 yard course feel like a 6,900 yard course and vice versa. I notice that a lot in Florida where 7,000 yard courses play a lot longer than 7,000 yard courses in Georgia. Designers can't make super long holes downhill to take some yardage off because of the flat Florida terrain. So what winds up happening is you get a lot of very long par-3's which are not as fun to play.
Obviously, I've never played Merion, but I believe it can be as difficult of a 6,900 yards where you can use driver if it's smartly designed and there's enough consideration.
3JACK
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Post by cwdlaw223 on Sept 4, 2012 13:34:57 GMT -5
It's always about the money!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
There's no place to park on the main line without factoring in the US Open at Merion. It will be a logistical disaster. Probably 30-60 minute commute from King of Prussia which should only take 15 minutes tops. Everything will be a tight fit. I think this course might win as long as it doesn't get too soft.
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