U.S. Open '04

The 2004 U.S. Open
Shinnecock Hills G.C.
Southampton, NY

By: Bruce Munch

This week marks the annual golfing rite of passage known as the United States Open Championship. The term Open refers to the fact that any player, amateur or professional may compete.

This year’s championship is being held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, Long Island. The first U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills was held in 1896 and won by James Foulis, over a field of 35 players. The open did not return to Shinnecock until 90 years later, when in 1986 Raymond Floyd was victorious and in doing so, set a record as the oldest open champion to that time at 43 years 9 months and 11 days. That year 5410 players applied and attempted to qualify for the championship. In 1995 Corey Pavin won the championship with an even par score of 280 when he hit a beautiful four wood to about 8 feet on the 72^nd hole while protecting a one shot lead.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a unique venue for the open because it is truly a “links” style golf course. Now many people feel that golf courses are called links because one hole links to another. This is not the case. The name comes from the fact that in Scotland, England and Ireland, when the game began it was played on what is known as “links” land. That is land that links the farmland to the seashore. In those days golfers would be knocking it around on the farmers field only to be told “get thee to the links”. Links land was too sandy for farming but was fine for sheep grazing and that worked out well because the sheep became the first grounds keepers by keeping the grass short enough for play. Another contribution of sheep to the game was the introduction of the sand bunker. The sheep would dig depressions into the ground so they could have some protection from the wind as they slept. During the day the wind would blow sand from the beach and it would come to rest in these depressions, and when the golfers ball came to rest in these sand filled depressions, they had a heck of a time getting out hence they came to be called “traps”. So realistic a links course is Shinnecock Hills, that the rustic landscape was once described as “More England than England”.

So who will win this years open? The experts have kicked around the usual names: Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Sergio, Padrig, and Vijay. Surely it must be someone who will be able to handle the wind swept hills of Southampton. They better be able to work the ball in all directions, an ability that helped Corey Pavin to his championship. They must be cool under pressure and able to deal with the inevitable adversity that will visit every player at some time or other. How about Chad Campbell? This 30-year-old Texan has all the attributes to do great at this open. So enjoy the open and if Chad Campbell surprises the experts and wins the championship, you can say you heard about it here. Happy Golfing.