Damn, I like the British Open!
With the British Open, or “The Open”, as it is known to many, upon us, I am ready, willing, and eager, to watch and enjoy. I must confess I like this event the best of all, not only because of its magnificent history and tradition, but more because the courses that it is contested on. They just really look like “golf” to me. I can still see Old and Young Tom Morris, Harry Vardon and Willie Park teeing it up today at Carnoustie, or any of the other Open venues, and saying……”yah, this is pretty much like it always was.” The British Open is golf at its core.
Then there’s the weather…….the British Isles aren’t exactly South Florida or Southern California. On many occasions, the event has been played in daunting and even excruciating conditions that have demanded that the most determined and preserving shot makers step forward. Familiar names come to mind. First and foremost, Tiger Woods, on today’s golf landscape. Then there was Watson, Trevino, Faldo, Ballesteros, Palmer, Player and Nicklaus. Before them, Thompson, Locke, Hagen and Jones. It’s certain Harry Vardon and the Morris’ were also cut from the same cloth.
The other thing I truly love about the British Open is that the winner becomes “The Champion Golfer of the Year.” My goodness, gracious, what in the heck could possibly be better than that? I’m pretty sure the winner of the U.S. Bank Championship isn’t going to be crowned “The Champion Golfer of Milwaukee.”
So, enjoy “The Open” and all the tradition it exudes and implies. I’m sure “Car-nasty” will be as always, laying in wait, to duel with its worthy adversaries. So, who will be posing for the obligatory picture kissing the Claret Jug on late Sunday afternoon the 22nd in Scotland? You might want to wager a few pounds on that Woods fellow to make it a “three-peat.”
