The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dawson confident over new look for Old Course
R&A chief executive expects changes to be endorsed by the elite
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson is confident the changes to the Old Course will continue to get approval of the world’s top players as they converge on St Andrews for the Open Championship next month.
Dawson, awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list, retires this year after 15 years at the head of the golf’s most historic organisation and admits he expects to feel some emotion when he calls the name of the new champion for the last time at the Open presentation ceremony.
He expects the much-debated and controversial alterations to parts of the old Course will pass muster with the few top names who have yet to see them, though.
Dawson said: “There were changes before every one of the more recent Opens and we are very pleased with the changes that have gone in. Most people who have played the course don’t realise that the changes have been made, frankly. No prominent player who has played the course since the changes were made has complained about it to us – quite the opposite in fact.
“For example Ernie (Els), the last time he was in St Andrews, was very complimentary about the new bunker at nine. He felt it needed it.”
One very distinguished Open champion gave his blessing to one of the most contentious changes on a recent visit to St Andrews.
“Tom Watson was here just a couple of weeks ago and I believe he played to the 11th green several times,” Dawson said.
“I was pleased to read he approves of the work that has been done there.
“With modern green speeds you couldn’t have put a pin position in July on the left, and of course there’s a great history at 11 with Bobby Jones in the bunker in 1920. Now we’ve got two more pin positions on the left of the green. I don’t know how many of them we’ll use.”
Tiger Woods has yet to see the changes, but the former world No 1 has confirmed his attendance at the venue where he won the Claret Jug in 2000 and 2005, despite his recent struggles with his game.
“He was one of the first to enter, and he has agreed to play in our past champions four-hole event on the eve of the championship, so we are looking forward to seeing him,” Dawson said.
“I feel for him. In my time at the R&A he has been the number one player almost the entire time. He’s been a great draw for the game. Arguably, he is the best player there has ever been, some would say.
“It is sad to see him not playing as well but I wouldn’t underestimate his determination to get back. You would hope his great memories of St Andrews would rekindle something.”