St. Andrews will be special again this summer

My morning show partner at the Fan590 for many years the late great Pat Marsden knew he could always get my goat when the Open Championship was at the Old Course by saying "Mumbles, it looks like a cow pasture"....a sentiment shared by Sam Snead and other American golfers like Bobby Jones when they first saw golf's most famous links.

Of course they all came to love St Andrews and all it's secrets, all it's history, in time,, and this summer whether it's grey and howling or in brilliant sunshine, it will be a special place again.

Adding to the storylines heading into the week is news that three-time champion Nick Faldo will make his final appearance at the tournament. Sir Nick as he is now known will turn 58 during the tournament in July, and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second Open Championship title at the Old Course in 1990. Faldo also won the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1987 and 1992, in addition to three Masters titles

In addition Scotland's adopted son, Tom Watson will also be making his final appearance after all the memories and thrills he provided with his 5 championships. In fact one of the most memorable Opens' was the one he lost in 2009 at Turnberry at the tender age of 59 when he made a bogey at the 72nd hole to fall into a 4 hole playoff with Stewart Cink. Remember Watson beat Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in their famous Duel in the Sun in 1977 when he shot 65 65 on the weekend.

 

While you have to have an R&A pass to sit in selected stands at St Andrew's most are first come first serve and I understand this year they will build new grandstand areas for spectators around the first, 17th and 18th holes which will provide an additional 10,000 seats.

 

If you have never been either to play or just to watch, your golf career is incomplete until you do. I have spent days sunbathing amongst the cathedral ruins that house the Old and Young Tom Morris graves. and have been there when the wind blew the tented village into the Firth of Forth. You can stand in the famous phone box right at the 18th green and make a call back home as many have before you..or try walking down to the Old course as he sun is setting around 10pm and watch all the shadows in stark contrast to the golden glow bathing the links before she turns out the lights for the night...

 

Ah yes it will be a special time again this summer at St Andrew's.....even if you think it looks like a cow pasture when you first see it ! 

 

Bryan Angus