The Open returns to Royal Troon for a ninth time in 2016. While minor adjustments have been made to every hole in preparation for the Championship, more significant changes have been made on the 9th, 10th and 15th holes, largely to restore some of their previous characteristics and features.
One of the great links courses in Scotland, Royal Troon has hosted The Open on eight occasions since 1923.
The course has a rich history of producing memorable moments from Arthur Havers’ winning performance in 1923, in which he holed from a bunker on the 18th green to lift the Claret Jug, to 71-year-old Gene Sarazen’s hole in one on the famous Postage Stamp 8th hole in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of his own victory at The Open.
The Open at Royal Troon is regarded as one of the most difficult challenges in championship golf and 2016 promises to deliver another worthy Champion Golfer of the Year. This year the course will measure 7190 yards and play as a par 71.
Hole 1 Description - Seal
The Royal Troon motto is “Tam Arte Quam Marte” – “As much by skill as by strength” – and that is immediately apparent on a comparatively straightforward opening hole where bunkers guard both sides of the fairway.
How to play this hole
Once again there is a big decision to take on the tee. Avoiding the fairway bunkers is the priority, but with a helping wind there is the chance to carry all three, pull up short of the next series of traps and set up a short iron approach to the well-guarded green.
Hole Guide: Hole Seventeen - Rabbit
How to play this hole
Hole Guide: Hole Eighteen - Craigend
How to play this hole
The task off the final tee is far easier to say than to do – hit it straight down the middle between the bunkers and away from the rough. Any approach coming from there runs the danger of being a flyer and bringing the out of bounds over the back into play.
Championship Golf
Although the Club had hosted Amateur Championships before the First World War, it was not until 1923 that The Open Championship was first held at Troon.
In 1922 the Club was invited to host The Open the following year as The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers deemed that as their course at Muirfield was undergoing extensive remodelling it would not be ready in time for the Championship they were meant to host.
Given that the Championship in those days was much smaller and less complicated affair than today it was still a large event for the Twenties as the great American golfers were starting to come over to play in numbers. Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen led the transatlantic contingent but the the event was won by an Englishman, Arthur Havers, who tamed the "breezy links o' Troon"
As Championships have grown in size and courses have been lengthened over the years Troon has replaced Prestwick, where the first Open was staged, and become a true test of the best professional and amateur golfers in the world and is now a regular on the Open circuit and for other competitions.
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