The United States Golf Association has become accustomed to fire fighting at its marquee event. US Opens became mired in controversy long ago. From watering greens midround at Shinnecock Hills to Dustin Johnson’s rules farrago at Oakmont and all manner of complaint about course set-up in between.
This is a major that has carried the whiff of cordite as routine. In the background, the USGA is front and centre of a knotty situation regarding whether or not the distance golf balls fl y should be rolled back.
There is a debate to be had over LA Country Club as a suitable site for one of golf’s prime events on the basis of exclusivity. Not allowing Hollywood A-stars as members is mildly amusing but more troublesome is the history in this area of discrimination against Jews, Catholics or others of political standpoint that did not meet with club approval. Hillcrest Country Club was founded by the Jewish community in western Los Angeles in the 1920 s as a direct response to being locked out elsewhere.
LACC is infamously rigid and stuff y. It carries a $200,000 (£155,000) entry fee. Is it the right message in terms of growing golf to bring a US Open here? While Augusta National remains such a celebrated part of this sport, perhaps all bets are off .
This story is from the June 19, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the June 19, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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