Ian Poulter Angry At Old Course Changes

Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter has spoken out about his disapproval of the changes being made to St Andrews’ Old Course ahead of the 2015 Open Championship.

The Englishman tweeted: “If they make changes to the Old Course at St Andrews they are insane. The course is great, just leave the winning score up to mother nature.

“They are going to change the 2,3,4.6,7, 9,11,15. Oh joy, lets play the 11th, the par 3, from 240-yards just for fun please. Dont mess it up.”

He went on to sarcastically add: “I know lets draw a Moustache on the Mona Lisa, I’m sure everyone would like that. Same as messing with a great course. Lets put a bridge and a windmill over the Valley of Sin as well, just as another option when playing the last hole.”

They will not be the first Old Course changes that Poulter has failed to take to, after he criticised the changes for the 2010 Open, saying: “They totally screwed up the 17th hole last time.

“I had to play down the second hole because it was blowing 30 into, not how it was designed. They might as well move the 11th green into RAF Leuchars air base, that’s basically what they did with the tee box at 17 last time.”

The changes have been planned to help maintain the Old Course’s challenge for the world’s top golfers ahead of the return of The Open Championship to St Andrews in 2015.

Renowned golf course architect Martin Hawtree was commissioned to assess potential changes that would enhance the challenge for elite players without unduly affecting club and visiting golfers, while remaining true to the special character of the Old Course.
 
Hawtree’s recommendations have now been agreed and include planned work to take place in two phases over this winter and next. The first phase involves work on the 2nd, 7th, 11th and 17th holes. The second phase will take place in winter 2013/14 with work on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 15th holes.

The headline change is the widening of the famous Road Hole Bunker on the 17th hole by half a metre at the right hand side and the recontouring of a small portion of the front of the green to enable it to gather more approach shots landing in that area.

A new bunker will be created on the right of the 3rd fairway and another on the left of the 9th fairway 20-yards short of the green. Bunkers will be repositioned closer to the right edge of the 2nd green and the right of the 4th green. A portion of the back left of the 11th green will be lowered to create more hole location options.
 
Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We have considered the challenge presented to the world’s top golfers by each of The Open Championship venues and carried out a programme of improvements over the last ten years. While some holes have been lengthened on the Old Course in recent years it has otherwise remained largely unaltered.

“The Championship Committee felt there was an opportunity to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. The proposals from Martin Hawtree should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course.”