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2001 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP... ROYAL LYTHAM AND ST ANNES Traditionally, Lytham is held to rank alongside
Carnoustie in terms of difficulty, with the entire back nine normally
played into the prevailing wind. This poses a challenge which only the
most able will meet. The setting of the course, though, is surprisingly
suburban, with housing all around, and a railway line flanking the entire
outward nine on the seaward side. Even the dunes are in part man-made,
but, such was Herbert Fowler's skill in their construction, that few
visitors today would knowingly eye the impressive ridges at the 7th and
11th and recognise the great man's handiwork.Lytham is unique among modern Open Championship courses in that it begins with a short hole, albeit one of 206 yards. There follow two very tough par 4's, both well over 400 yards in length, while the 4th, although over 60 yards shorter than its predecessor, turns back into the prevailing wind and can therefore play just as long. Fine driving is the primary requirement of the opening holes, with the railway accentuating the threat of out-of-bounds and most holes offering limited bale-out opportunities to the left. Par 3's come at the 5th and 9th, with back-to-back par 5's and then another testing par 4 in between. Position from the tee is normally vital if the approach shots are to go close, and Lytham's design in this respect is a classic example of risk and reward, since trouble invariably lurks close to the preferred line from the tee. If, as at Royal Troon, the professionals seek to make their score on the outward half, they generally have to defend it on the long journey home. The 10th and 13th are par 4's short enough to appear friendly, but the 11th is a demanding par 5 and the 12th a tricky short hole, where the out-of-bounds on the right always seems a potential problem with a wood or long iron in hand.  The finish is daunting. Two big shots are required to get home at the 14th, but two even bigger blows are called for at the 15th, where the rising fairway adds length to a hole, which already measures 463 yards! "God, it is a hard hole" commented Jack Nicklaus in 1974 in a championship which suffered such bad weather that only Gary Player broke par over four rounds. A blind drive and a raised green are the hallmarks of the 16th, but the 17th, with its minefield of bunkers at the elbow of its dogleg, enjoys a more famous place in Lytham's history. It was from a sandy lie in this wasteland that Bobby Jones fashioned his celebrated mashie shot to stun Al Watrous and go on to win the 1926 Open. The last hole, too, has witnessed some magical moments, with both Peter Thompson and Tony Jacklin splitting the fairway on the final day of their respective victories. We have limited local accommodation in the 5 star Gibbon Bridge Hotel for those who would like to watch the final rounds of this year's championship. Pre-Open golf can be arranged in Scotland, Wales or England to customize an Open Championship visit to your own special requirements. |
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