The Open Championship weekend

July 21, 2010 Cameron Reid

When the Open Championship is played at St.Andrews it is a very special occasion. From Doug Sanders missing a 3ft putt on the last to win the title in 1970, to Seve’s joy at holing the birdie putt on 18 to effectively clinch the 1984 title. The year 2000 saw a young Tiger Woods win by 8 shots and Jack’s farewell wave on the Swilken Bridge in 2005 still lives long in the memory.

Play went on well into the night on Saturday evening

This years championship saw mixed weather conditions and strong winds on Friday afternoon resulting in 10 groups returning at 6:30am on Saturday morning to finish their rounds but not before Tom Watson said his likely farewell to St.Andrews late on Friday night to a wonderful reception from the spectators who stayed on late to see him on the Swilken Bridge and like Jack he did not disappoint with a wonderful birdie on the last.

The scene was set for a fascinating weekend’s play. Everyone thought Louis would come back to the field and we would have a tight finish come Sunday, but this guy can play. He held his lead with strong nerve all weekend and when the lead was cut to 3 shots after 8 holes on Sunday his response was to eagle the 9th. Casey’s challenge fell apart at the 12^th a straight forward par 4, where a visit to the gorse resulted in a triple bogey 7 and left Louis with an 8 shot lead, he would eventually win by 7 and was a worthy winner of the claret jug.

Despite shooting a 3rd round 76, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell was happy to sign autographs.

It was my pleasure to escort an exclusive group travelling with PerryGolf that were housed in the Fairmont St.Andrews during the Open before joining the Mega Yacht Harmony II on Monday to continue their tour around Scotland’s famous northern links venues. My personal experience of the Open is one to remember. A kind invite from an R&A member saw me in the most privileged position of watching the leading groups start out their rounds from the large window in the R&A clubhouse overlooking the 1^st tee. Tiger hit a 3 wood that never left grandstand height, a low stinger. A wonderful lunch followed in the company of David Lema, son of champagne Tony who won the Open in 1964 in St.Andrews with Tip Anderson on the bag and Arnold’s putter in the bag.

The Championship is over for another year. Next year Royal St.Georges.

The atmosphere around the 18^th green is truly electric even with a run away winner. The Old Course can still test the best players in the world as long as the wind blows (which is generally does) and long may it continue to provide historic moments that live long in the memory.

150th Anniversary and End of an Era

July 8, 2010July 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

This years Open Championship at St Andrews will be the 150^th anniversary of the event and to mark this, the R & A have arranged for a special 4 hole Past Champions Challenge. All living past champions will be present with the exception of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Price, Johnny Miller, Kel Nagle, and (sadly) Seve Ballesteros.

The 4 hole event holds special significance for me as my granddad, Willie Aitchison, has caddied for 2 Open Champions – Robert Di Vicenzo and Lee Trevino. He was ‘on the bag’ for Di Vicenzo when he won at Royal Liverpool in 1967 and won back-to-back Opens with Trevino at Royal Birkdale in 1971 and Muirfield in 1972. The pairings for the event have still not been announced but it would be special if Di Vicenzo and Trevino were paired together.

It has been estimated that 30,000 fans will be present for the 4 hole exhibition match and I certainly plan on being one of them. This will definitely be the last time that my Grandad and both men get to meet, and although he will not be able to caddy, he does plan on walking the fairways one last time. This promises to be a special moment and it’s something that I would hate to miss. I’ve always been an admirer of Trevino’s game and the way he handled himself on the course; he was a crowd pleaser and certainly someone that the crowds would flock to see. There was never a dull moment and always plenty to talk about after a round when he was involved and I’m already looking forward to seeing him in action in a few weeks time.

Click here to read more.

By Gary Sheppard. Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

A Day in St. Andrews

July 5, 2010July 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

I’m spending the day in St. Andrews today and the atmosphere around the town is fantastic. Everyone seems to be on a high with the Open Championship just around the corner. It’s a relatively calm day and about 60 degrees – but most importantly, it’s raining. Scotland has benefited from an extended period of nice weather and I believe the green staff at St. Andrews will be welcoming some rain. The course looks to be in great shape and will certainly be playing like a true links when the Championship kicks off in a couple of weeks. The tented village is almost complete, the grandstands are in place, and television camera stands are dotted around the course. Now we just need to sit tight and wait on the action unfolding.

Click here for the link to the live webcam on the Old Course.

By Gary Sheppard. Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

Ballesteros will not make The Open Champions’ Challenge at St. Andrews

July 4, 2010July 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Although Seve is making steady progress and showing positive signs in his recovery from multiple operations to remove a tumour from his brain, he has been advised by his doctor not to travel to St. Andrews in July.

It is the 150^th anniversary of the Open Championship, and a special 4 hole exhibition tournament over the 1^st, 2^nd, 17^th, and 18^th on the Old Course at St Andrews has been arranged for past champions on Wednesday 14^th July; the day before the Open begins. Seve’s doctor advised that he should not be put under any undue stress or find himself in any situations which are potentially emotional – the thought of Seve playing the 4 holes with 3 other past champions and thousands of fans following him would definitely have been an emotional situation!

It would have been great to see him attend, but I think the decision is for the best. Fingers crossed we have not seen the last of Seve on a golf course! He is an inspirational golfer and someone I have admired since taking up the game.

Click here for more information.

By Gary Sheppard. Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

Open 2010 at St. Andrews

July 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

In just over 2 weeks time the Open Championship will once again return to the home of golf, and I personally cannot wait to attend. St. Andrews is a fantastic place to spend time during any summer, but when the Open is taking place there, the entire area explodes with excitement. Due to work commitments, I won’t be able to attend every day, but I do plan on being there for the past champions challenge and the 3^rd round at the very least. I’d say that this year’s championship promises to be more exciting than most as Tiger is no longer the dominant force that he once was and there are countless players at the top of their game. I still think he will feature on the leader board come Sunday…but he certainly won’t be winning by record margins like he has done in the past.

Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, and Paul Casey are the 3 Europeans that I am tipping to do well. As for the American hopefuls, I’d say that Phil Mickelson is the favorite. He always seems to be there or thereabouts in the majors these days and he’s also aiming to topple Tiger from the top of the world rankings. The Open is such a great championship and usually produces some sort of fairytale story; so maybe we’ll see an outsider take the title this year. Ben Curtis (2003) and Todd Hamilton (2004) would certainly fall into this category – so it can be done.

Regardless of who wins the Open in 2010, it is sure to be an exciting tournament and hopefully we will witness some more magic at St Andrews.

By Gary Sheppard. Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

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