We awake in the world’s best British Open dormy. Dog, having the lawnmower as an alarm clock, puts down his other foot and hangs his bag over his right shoulder. Blackpool has left behind the pinstripes and wears for the day the club emblem nearest to his heart. Already on the 1st tee we feel like Ballesteros. Blackpool strikes a tame dive to the right and LINKS75 goes to the left. Thirty minutes behind us follow the weekend’s Medalist Competition like an unstoppable steam locomotive. The 2nd and 3rd follow the traditionally classic railway line. Two giant par 4s that require Bubba’s driver and a little more. On the 2nd we try out Woosnam’s bush and throw one of our drivers amongst the leaves. As luck would have it some traces from the Open remain – the last of the temporary seating was taken down only a few days ago – and everywhere the rough is impenetrable. Muscle ache after three holes, the driver is white-hot in its head cover and the sand wedge has already been worn down flat. What a course! It’s like a super-long obstacle golf course. The 4th allows a little breathing room and the 5th feels OK from the green tee, which we had been firmly advised to use by the starter. Not even Blackpool was prepared to argue. With arms pumped up like the world’s strongest man, we arrive at the 6th, 491 yards from the back tee – par 5 for mortals, par 4 for the Open’s participants – absolutely incomprehensible! How in all the world could those boys tee off with irons and also manage to control the ball with backspin? The 7th is a flat par 5. The 8th is a jewel of a par 4 with cross bunkers on the slope leading up to the green. While bending over our putt LINKS75 gets that old Muirfield feeling – “You are holding us up! You are good golfers who should know better!” The members come from nowhere straight up to our green. We wave them through on the 9th – yet another pearl of a par 3. Magnificent.
9th hole, Royal Lytham & St Annes
LINKS75 gets stressed and misses a golden birdie chance. On the 10th Members Choice tees off while one of the members whispers “cute” and puckers. We turn pale and understand he has made his choice. The drive goes down the middle but then we find neither ourselves or the wonderfully elevated green before we reach the 12th. Yet another fantastic par 3. The 13th – a par 4 with a hint of birdies – makes us feel strong and we test the straightest line and go for the flag. Towards the finish – and what a finish!, Members Choice shanks his driver to no-one’s joy – yet another visit to the elephant grass. The 15th – par 4, 464 yards – is an extremely difficult hole where the approach is partially hidden. Mr J wins 5 and 3. The 16th – Ballesteros’ car park hole – is a complete test. To the right, into the car park, sand wedge, but unfortunately no birdie. To do justice in describing the 17th hole would require a chapter by James Joyce. A more worthy conclusion to an Open course could not be found. Here a bogey feels like a birdie, particularly out of Bobby Jones’ bunker.
Bobby Jones, 17th Royal Lytham & St Annes
The 18th, with 17 bunkers and a fairway where you search feverishly to find a landing surface, has the clubhouse as a backdrop and inspires LINKS75 to outdo itself. We end the day testing the clubhouse and Gary Player’s spot before bowing down to this mighty links experience.
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