Reputation set to be reinforced

AUTHOR: Former Hearts footballer Donald Ford has written several books about Carnoustie golf

It might not have the famous skyline of St Andrews – but Carnoustie links wins hands-down when it comes to the “phenomenon, disaster, brilliance and tragedy” of golf.

That’s the view of former Hearts and Scotland footballer, turned photographer and author, Donald Ford who has written several books about Carnoustie golf, and who says the return of the Open Championship to the Angus town is, to many of the local population, a “perfect example of the curate’s egg”.

“For the golfers, it is, of course, both exciting and frustrating,” said Donald, 74, who scored 188 goals for Hearts in the ’60s and ’70s, and now lives near the links.

“The excitement over the prospect of the greatest names in world golf coming to take on ‘their’ beloved course has been building for weeks, as the legendary links takes on the look of a massive construction site.

“Quite apart from the erection of more seats than ever before – in stands for the anticipated 170,000 spectators – the ‘tented village’ could probably provide bed and breakfast for thousands if the R&A was of such a mind!”

It is the magnificent Championship Course which will, without doubt, magnetise the crowds, as well as test the skills and shot construction abilities of the Open competitors.

Donald said: “It does have the greatest five-hole finish of any of the Open venues. It does have the greatest subtleties of borrow on at least 10 of the 18, perfectly constructed greens and – perhaps the greatest test of all – it does demand the relentless, essential requirement of the next shot revealing the same level of skill in technique and execution as the last one did.

“For these reasons, it is, without question, ‘the hardest links in Open golf’.

“Aside from these demands, shot selection by the best golfers on the planet will be crucial.

“The extraordinary level of concentration which is demanded of them as they take on, arguably, the most exhilarating, testing and potentially thrilling Open Championship golf course, is now accepted by the vast majority who have been to Carnoustie and attempted to defeat it.

“Of course, four calm days might just result in Tommy Fleetwood’s course record 63 at the 2017 Dunhill being relegated to just another number in the sequence.

“Should Carnoustie Links enjoy four ‘breathless’ days, however, something akin to a miracle must take place.

“It won’t happen, of course, and the tremendous skills of those descending on Carnoustie in July must include the aforesaid shot-making – at the highest level in all conditions.

“Once again, therefore, this little Angus town is about to reinforce its totally unique position in world golf.

“Let us never forget, however, that how it does so is due to the quite extraordinary skills of Robertson, Morris, Simpson, the Smiths, Maiden, Braid, Wright, Philp, Calder – and Reid – to list but a few of the great names who have helped to create these wonderful links.

“The story of it all is now, without a doubt, legendary.”

Pictures: DC Thomson, Getty and SNS. Donald Ford, above, with one of his Carnoustie books and, left, in his football playing days. Tommy Fleetwood, far left, lines up his record-breaking putt on the 18th.