Notebook: Merion Impresses Players

By Ken Klavon, USGA

Ardmore, Pa. – Give Merion officials credit for addressing a perception they didn’t necessarily want.

As players got better and technology became more advanced, the club started to become antiquated in terms of length. Instead of standing pat they choose to do something about it.

"What we had was a golf course that people said wasn’t playing that long," said U.S. Amateur chairman Bill Iredale. Enter the 10-year plan in which bunkers were restored, trees were removed, and maybe more important, 10 holes were lengthened. They wanted to make sure the course played more difficult, and at the same time, be certain the shot angles dating back to when Bob Jones played here in 1916, ’24 and ’30 weren’t altered.

"They did it on their own," said Tom Meeks, senior director of Rules and competitions for the USGA, adding that he spent all of one day consulting officials about the fairways.

As he prepares to set up his final U.S. Amateur, Meeks has made the most of the longer course. He understands Merion’s intent of protecting the angles that Jones, and later, Ben Hogan witnessed in the 1950 U.S. Open, taking that into consideration this week.

"They’ve maxed out the course," said Meeks. "Our set-up now is on the fact that the ball is going farther."

Which partially explains Merion’s desire to refurbish. In 2002 tee boxes were moved back on holes two, three, five, six, nine, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18. The most severe change happened on No. 5, the course’s No. 1 handicap hole, in which more than 80 yards was added. Longtime pro Ben Crenshaw called it one of his favorites at Merion.

Three of the four par 3s -- namely holes three, nine and 17 – were affected as well. One in particular, No. 3, which goes uphill over swale and a creek on the left, not to mention into a prevailing wind, had roughly 24 yards tacked on.

Iredale said that there was nothing fancy done when they began lengthening. In fact, basic tees that are hardly noticed were put in place and nary a teeing ground had been elevated.

"We finished lengthening in the spring of 2004 because we knew we needed two growing seasons," said Iredale.

For some players getting their first glimpse of the 6,846-yard Hugh Wilson-design on Sunday, there were no complaints. All said the course was tough yet fair. Luke List, last year’s runner-up to Ryan Moore, actually had his second view since he came in about a month ago to get a whiff of the East Course.

Asked which facet of the game the course tests the most, the junior-to-be at Vanderbilt University placed an emphasis on accurate driving. He paused then changed his response to everything. He believes holes three (219 yards, par 3), five (504, par 4) and six (487, par 4) present maybe the toughest stretch. He also cited 17 and 18 (505-yard par 4) as strong finishing holes. The 17^th hole isn’t one for the weak. It is a 246-yard par 3 that starts on the top of a bluff and forces players to drop their tee shots over a quarry and onto the green.

"It’s incredible for the USGA to get venues like this," said the 20-year-old List, about to embark on his third Amateur. "This place has a lot of history. It’s a true test of golf. … This course is going to define the true champion."

As he waited to be shuttled back to his place of stay, 19-year-old Chris Bagley looked whipped. He got acquainted with Merion for the first time Sunday, liking what he saw but knowing full well his stroke-play qualifying round on Monday won’t be easy. He thought holes seven through 13 will require short 8- or 9-iron shots into the greens. Those will evolve simply from keeping the ball in play, which is often easier said than done.

"You have to chip and putt well," said Bagley, a University of Richmond sophomore playing in his first USGA event. "But I wouldn’t say it doesn’t stress any part of the game."

At 58, Greg Reynolds knows he can’t boom the ball like the younger generation. He found that out specifically on the two par 5s, which are both on the front side. He also found out on Sunday, amid a swirling wind, he couldn’t get the desired length off the tee, resulting in his resorting to long-iron and rescue clubs.

More vexing for him is that the course can be unforgiving. Estimating this is his 23^rd USGA championship, he said that he knows what to expect from the set-up but that doesn’t equate to holding any advantages.

"It’s really difficult to miss greens and save par," said Reynolds, who tied for low amateur at this year’s U.S. Senior Open. "I think it’s going to play hard, especially if the wind blows."

Looking Back

Last year at Winged Foot List came within a whisker of stopping the victory train that was Moore. He took the lead on the seventh hole, held it for the next 24 before losing grip. Moore rallied by winning the final four holes to erase a two-hole deficit.

By virtue of his runner-up finish, he received an exemption into this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst where he missed the cut. He didn’t seem fazed or even bothered when the subject of last year came up.

"Last year was a great year," he said. "I would have liked to have gone all the way, but fortunately I have a couple years left.

"One through 64 in match play is a funny thing. You can play well and someone can beat you. Or you can play poorly and win."

Almost Over

He knew it was coming yet he couldn’t slow the hands of time. Meeks, who is retiring after the Amateur on Sept. 1, will walk away from being involved in 179 championships over the course of 30 years.

"It has gone quickly," said a sullen Meeks, who was involved in the 1981 U.S. Open and 1989 Amateur at Merion. "You know what? Thirty years has gone quickly. … Anytime you’re having a good time, time goes by quickly. I think the smart thing was making the decision three years ago and standing by it. I’m going to miss it."

Meeks said he could "tell you something about every championship" he’s worked. One of the zillion that stands out occurred at the 1977 U.S. Junior Amateur, held at Ohio State University Golf Club. Jack Nicklaus had agreed to be the featured speaker at the players’ dinner but had to back out at the last minute. Frenzied for another speaker, Meeks suggested renowned football coach Woody Hayes, really taking a stab in the dark. When Hayes was contacted, he accepted on the spot.

"I would consider it an honor to substitute for Nicklaus," Meeks recalled Hayes saying.

Meeks, noteworthy for his U.S. Open set-ups, has been working on the Amateur since 1975. He remembered that one like yesterday. On one hand, current USGA president Fred Ridley won it. On the other, the Country Club of Virginia had "maybe the toughest rough of any USGA championship I’ve been involved with."

When he sets his final hole location Sunday morning, a new chapter of his life will begin. Television work, perhaps a book, beckon.

"On another hand, I’m retiring so I can slow down. So I don’t have to run to the airport all the time, pack and unpack my bags," said Meeks.

Or wake up before the birds to set up a championship venue, or to leave a course well after the sun has kissed the sky goodnight.

Withdrawals

Twenty-two-year-olds Michael Putnam and Jeff Overton withdrew for acceptable reasons. Both turned professional. Putnam announced his decision on Saturday.

Both were part of the victorious Palmer Cup and USA Walker Cup squads this year. Last year Overton made it to the semifinal round in the Amateur before being knocked off by Moore.

Ken Klavon is the USGA’s web editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.