Merion for the 2030 Open

[Broke100Once]

For the 2030 season, something special should be done to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bobby Jones' Grand Slam season.  In my opinion, the perfect tribute would be to hold the US Open at Merion and the US Amateur at Interlachen --- Jones won his majors at these courses in 1930, except reversed (as in, he won the Open at Interlachen and the Amateur at Merion).  We've seen that Merion can still handle a modern US Open whereas I'm not sure Interlachen is up to the task, though an Amateur should be no problem.

I guess my question is, since the USGA apparently lost money on the 2013 Open at Merion, do you think they'll go back anytime soon, or was 2013 just a one-time-only nod to history?

[MSchott]

I hope it was a one time shot. Thy changed much of the essence of the course for that Open. What I'd like to see is the course restored exactly the way it was in 1930 and let the pros tear it up. Even more fun would be to have them play with period clubs and balls with restricted distance. Never going to happen but wouldn't that be cool?

[jamo]

Interlachen hosted the Women's US Open a few years ago. Obviously that's not the same setup it would need to host the men's tournament. Does anyone else on the forum know it well enough to say if they could push back some of the tees?

[ccotenj]

I hope it was a one time shot. Thy changed much of the essence of the course for that Open. What I'd like to see is the course restored exactly the way it was in 1930 and let the pros tear it up. Even more fun would be to have them play with period clubs and balls with restricted distance. Never going to happen but wouldn't that be cool?

i agree... they "made it work", but it really wasn't "merion" anymore... plus it was a far from ideal location for spectators... i went, and i would not go again... that would be cool... like you said, won't happen, but would be fun... i wonder if they could even find enough "usable" clubs from that time to do it... although there is this group out there... http://www.hickorygolfers.com edit: another one... http://playhickory.com/playing-hickory/

[SavvySwede]

Interlachen hosted the Women's US Open a few years ago. Obviously that's not the same setup it would need to host the men's tournament. Does anyone else on the forum know it well enough to say if they could push back some of the tees?

Looking at google maps Interlachen is maxed out from the back tees. Most of the tee boxes are already backed up against roads, backyards, or features from other holes.

[bogdan101]

Hickory shafts, balata balls.

[phan52]

For the 2030 season, something special should be done to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bobby Jones' Grand Slam season.  In my opinion, the perfect tribute would be to hold the US Open at Merion and the US Amateur at Interlachen --- Jones won his majors at these courses in 1930, except reversed (as in, he won the Open at Interlachen and the Amateur at Merion).  We've seen that Merion can still handle a modern US Open whereas I'm not sure Interlachen is up to the task, though an Amateur should be no problem.

I guess my question is, since the USGA apparently lost money on the 2013 Open at Merion, do you think they'll go back anytime soon, or was 2013 just a one-time-only nod to history?

Some members have indicated to me that they are definitely going to have another US Open at Merion, it is just a matter of when. The members want one as soon as possible and don't want to wait until 2030. They think 2030 should be reserved for the Amateur.

Personally, I thought it was a poor venue for a US Open, particularly from a fan standpoint. Plus they altered the course significantly, which I felt was unnecessary. They are going to hold the Philadelphia Amateur there next year and I will be curious to see the setup.

[Aflighter]

These guys today would cry like babies if they had to play with them clubs and balls.

[SavvySwede]

These guys today would cry like babies if they had to play with them clubs and balls.

I doubt the top players would complain. Less forgiving equipment would widen the gap between them and their competitors.

[jbishop15]

These guys today would cry like babies if they had to play with them clubs and balls.

I think you are severely underestimating the skill of Tour players. They would kick ass with virtually anything.

Would scores be higher? Probably. But not that much higher.

[Aflighter]

I think you are severely underestimating the skill of Tour players. They would kick ass with virtually anything.  Would scores be higher? Probably. But not that much higher.

Im not underestimating them.Im saying todays golfers are spoiled compared to the ones of the past.They would have hissy fits playing with the old clubs because they will not perform like todays clubs.

[jbishop15]

Im not underestimating them.Im saying todays golfers are spoiled compared to the ones of the past.They would have hissy fits playing with the old clubs because they will not perform like todays clubs.

I don't think so, personally.

[SavvySwede]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbishop15

I think you are severely underestimating the skill of Tour players. They would kick ass with virtually anything.

Would scores be higher? Probably. But not that much higher.

Im not underestimating them.Im saying todays golfers are spoiled compared to the ones of the past.They would have hissy fits playing with the old clubs because they will not perform like todays clubs.

Ricky Fowler will practice with a persimmon driver at times and he's not the only one. They all would know what kind of performance to expect from such clubs and it's a lot less different for them than it is for the average golfer. They're not missing the center of the face very often.