The 18th green and clubhouse at Royal Lytham, finishing near dark.
@UncleLee playing from the famous Bobby Jones bunker on 17, as @UncleCharles and caddies look on.
@JimHHartsell - 75, @UncleLee -- 79, @UncleCharles - 83
@KivaCup visited recently with USA Captain @JimHHartsell to discuss the Open Championship at Royal Lytham. It is no secret in Kiva Cup circles that The Open Championship is his favorite golf tournament.
On July 2nd 1997, on the last day of a 2 week trip in Scotland that included rounds at Open Championship venues St. Andrews, Muirfield, Prestwick and Carnoustie, USA Captain @JimHHartsell and the Uncles played the last round of the trip at Royal Lytham . The group was on the way back through northern England to Manchester, for the flight back to the USA, and stopped for the night in Blackpool.
The course proved to be an especial favorite of the trip, both for the excellent lunch while seated in the bay window overlooking the 18th green and the brilliant pro shop (even by @UncleCharles exacting standards), not to mention the splendid and wonderful links. Past Open Championship winners at Lytham include greats such as the immortal Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson, Gary Player and the mighty Seve Ballesteros, to name but a few.
Curiously among great championship venues, yet thrillingly, Lytham starts out with a par 3. Many of you will remember the 2001 Open, won by David Duval, in which Ian Woosnam was penalized 2 strokes on the 1st, after having hit his opening tee shot of the final round to tap in distance for birdie, only to discover his caddie had left an extra driver in the bag. The birdie would have put the wee Welshman within 1 of the lead. The resulting bogey left him 3 back instead. It was to be Woosie's last serious run at a major. @JimHHartsell hit 5 iron to 20 feet and promptly 3 putted for bogey. Was this to be an omen for the day? Not hardly.
The USA Captain followed with 3 birdies on the front for an even par 35 going out. The front played mostly downwind, with the ball running incredible lengths along the sandy turf. Turning for home on 10, the wind worked hard against and the going proved tougher. Was the round to slip away after a costly double bogey on 11? No, as the Captain played the last 7 holes at +1, finishing with a birdie on 18 for a 75, the last hole of a great trip. It was a rare victory on the trip for @Jim over the Uncles, who both played well on the tough links.
The USA Captain followed with 3 birdies on the front for an even par 35 going out. The front played mostly downwind, with the ball running incredible lengths along the sandy turf. Turning for home on 10, the wind worked hard against and the going proved tougher. Was the round to slip away after a costly double bogey on 11? No, as the Captain played the last 7 holes at +1, finishing with a birdie on 18 for a 75, the last hole of a great trip. It was a rare victory on the trip for @Jim over the Uncles, who both played well on the tough links.
5 comments:
Please post that score Mr. Hartsell.
Thank you.
How in the world are you the handicap you are if you shoot this 75. I maintain there should be an adjustment made. I will be contacting GHIN shortly. I know a lady there that has answered some questions in the past.
Cannot wait for Bama vs UT.
Missing Dalton. Wish yall would answer his email.
Is it that team Skiba/ Burnett lost yesterday? Last I saw on TV they were 3 up w 6 to play. Damn
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