Ernie Els, the 1994 champion, won his second U.S. Open at Congressional was played in 1997. With the course playing as a par 70, 1970champion Dave Stockton sank a par-saving putt on the 72nd hole to win his second PGA Championship by one stroke at 281 (+1). A dozen years later, the PGA Championship was held at Congressional in 1976. Open in 1964, won by Ken Venturi in oppressive heat with a score of two under par in the last Open to finish with two rounds on Saturday. The first major championship at Congressional was the U.S. Tournament winners at Congressional have included Rory McIlroy, Ken Venturi, Ernie Els, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods, among many others. While Avenel was under renovation in 2005, the tournament returned to Congressional, then known as the Booz Allen Classic. Previously, Congressional hosted the Kemper Open until its move to nearby TPC at Avenel in 1987. The Tournament is now known as the Quicken Loans National. It is currently an annual stop on the PGA Tour, with the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods. Harding, Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. Green Fee access - Access to this private club is restricted to members, guests of members and Golf Club Members from Interstate and Overseas upon payment of the applicable green fee.Congressional opened in 1924 and its Blue Course has hosted three U.S. Rated Top 10 - Australia's Top 100 Golf Courses Faldo was right, but ultimately the course proved a fair test of the best golfers for the week, Greg Chalmer's win coming with even par as did the US and British Opens that year. "Perhaps the extreme rough just off the fairways is probably unnecessary, I thought Mackenzie didn't believe in that". "I have no criticism of the course, it is just awesome, the most challenging 18 holes I have played on" he said. Thomson had struck pre-emptively, however, claiming that if Australia really wanted to stage a "major", then we need to present courses like the St Andrews and US Open venues.Įnglishman Nick Faldo agreed with Thomson. "If we had to play on this all year I'm sure we'd give it away". It just beats us up every day" said Stuart Appleby. Superintendent Mark Prosser has been growing the rough for nearly a year, so that anything off the short stuff was severely punished. Peter Thomson had added mounds and undulations to the flatter holes, lengthened the course, and reduced fairway widths to such an extent that marshals in golf carts queued to pass in single file. The course was subject to much controversy during the 1998 Australian Open. However, two well chosen irons can reward the shorter hitter with a birdie chance - unlike the following three par fours - each over 400m. The unbunkered green is quite driveable under favourable conditions, but any ball played just a little short must negotiate the narrowest of landing zones. This uphill hole with a blind tee shot is a perfect example of a short par four. Thankfully for the members the rough has since been tamed, but the fairway contouring remains and at 6578m from the blue tees this is a tough test of golf.Īlas, the only original hole to remain unscathed is the 266m third (right). No visitor to Royal Adelaide will be unaffected by the majesty of the course, the graciousness of the club house and the hospitality of members and staff.ĭr Alister Mackenzie's splendid work at Royal Adelaide stands the test of time, but was nevertheless lengthened and toughened by Peter Thomson prior to the 1998 Australian Open. The combination of natural undulation with judicious application of strategic Mackenzie bunkering, combined with ever-present sea breeze, creates the perfect challenge. The group of holes that are played amongst the red sand dunes and tortured Cypress Pines at Royal Adelaide present exciting and varied shot-making of the highest calibre. Gardner, Dr Alister MacKenzieĪdelaide in South Australia possesses some excellent sandhill country - home to fine golf courses most notably Royal Adelaide, Kooyonga, Grange and Glenelg. ![]() Golf Digest Ranking (Private Club – not ranked by The GOLF Course Guide)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |