Open Crowds - Scotland vs England

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And so I read (Daily Mail Golf Correspondent) that in his view the crowd atmosphere etc at the Open is better when it is held in England than when it is held in Scotland.

Now I have no idea how true this might be if it is true at all - however I shall muse on it:

1) If Scots are more dour than the English and less likely to get carried away with things and hence less OTT effusive and vocal with their praise = quieter atmosphere?
2) More of the crowd at an Open in Scotland will be regular golfers and will have played for longer - so less likely to be vocal in praise of an 'OK' shot = quieter atmosphere?
3) Scots crowd more observant of traditions and need for a bit of peace and quiet for other players on the course so unless marvellous shot will be more likely to keep their own counsel = quieter atmosphere?
4) Is the weather for the Open in general better when it is held in England than when it is held in Scotland. If yes then clearly the crowd will be a bit more upbeat if they are not cold and getting soaked = quieter atmosphere?

Scots Open crowds need to raise their game? - or was the correspondent talking through a hole in his iPad?

 

[FairwayDodger]

And so I read (Daily Mail Golf Correspondent) that in his view........

Ah there's your problem....!

 

[Deleted member 18588]

You should know by now to never trust anything you read in the Daily Mail!


Damn FD beat me to it.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What do you base some of your musings on

In regards more golf people in a Scottish crowd and more observant of traditions ? How did you arrive at those presumptions

 

[User62651]

Its the Open, not the Kop, seemed like Hoylake had more atmos than most but probably due to Rory leading and proximity to Liverpool with much Irish connection but if Fowler was battling to catch say Matt Kuchar I doubt the atmos would have been half it was. Not sure recent Opens at Birkdale and Sandwich had noticeably better atmos, Weather not better or worse - Sandwich had the worst weather of recent Opens, Muirfield was roasting last yr. Many would argue St Andrews has the best atmos. I was there day 4 when Monty was 2nd behind Tiger, that was pretty electric.

 

[Dodger]

Is he not simply meaning the crowds are larger?

They generally are and this is always going to be the case due to population.

Daily Mail eh?:rofl:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Daily Mail.... there was your first mistake. I think the Open crowds are pretty much the same wherever. Knowledgeable and appreciative wherever it's held

 

[nemicu]

Scotland is more touristy - hence full of foreigners, if you use the Daily Mail logic.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What do you base some of your musings on

In regards more golf people in a Scottish crowd and more observant of traditions ? How did you arrive at those presumptions

They are not conclusions, presumptions or my opinions - they are simply musing as to why a Scottish crowd might be less raucous. Blimey - it's easy to get into an argument here

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Scotland is more touristy - hence full of foreigners, if you use the Daily Mail logic.

Ah - I missed that possibility out - could be...

Loads of tourists to Scotland who know absolutely nothing about golf

I ask as I was interested in the DM observation - as I have never been to an Open neither in Scotland nor in England I have no idea. Doesn't seem like many regular Open'ers on here agree with him

 

[Jack_bfc]

I have only been to 2 opens.

Lytham 2 years ago and this one.

I did note a different atmosphere at this one with it being more 'raucous' if that's the right word.

Now there is only 40km or so between the 2 venues, but there were a lot more scousers at this one for obvious reasons.

mmmmm

 

[Doon frae Troon]

They are not conclusions, presumptions or my opinions - they are simply musing as to why a Scottish crowd might be less raucous. Blimey - it's easy to get into an argument here

Probably more to do with the number of club golfers per population, same with England and cricket.

 

[Hobbit]

I've missed two Opens in the last 15yrs, Royal St George's & the last one. IMO there's no difference between any of the crowds I've been in.

 

[Alex1975]

it's easy to get into an argument here

You start most of them.... and clearly this is a contentious topic....

 

[SteveBonners]

Have been to Open Championship's in both England and Scotland and have seen no differences in how the crowd behave or with their respect for the players.

Both have respect for the game and thankfully we are not subjected to the cries of "get in the hole", which seems to be a standard part of watching golf in the US!!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Having sat next to the 18th at Muirfield last year, the roar when Phil hit his approach to 10 feet, then sunk the putt, was far from dour.

 

[DCB]

There has been a gradual change over the years, more "events " people go nowadays, either as paying punters or as Corporate guests. It used to be a very golf oriented paying punter 30 years ago and Corporate guests were definitely golfers back then.

It's not just The Open, it follows through to normal Tour events as well.

 

[Foxholer]

Blimey - it's easy to get into an argument here

No it's not!

Did they mention that crowd numbers were down (every day) on the last time Open was at Hoylake?

Probably not as it probably didn't suit their agenda.

True Journalistic approach - gather facts; present them objectively; allow reader to weigh evidence and form opinion.
Daily Mail (and too many others) approach - decide view to be pushed; find 'facts' to support that view; publish as fait accompli/propoganda!

There is, of course, nothing wrong with an Editorial that takes the 'advocacy' journalism approach. That's its function! But stop telling everyone what/how to think!

 

[Val]

No it's not!

Did they mention that crowd numbers were down (every day) on the last time Open was at Hoylake?

Probably not as it probably didn't suit their agenda.

Unlike how it was reported at the MEN ONLY club Muirfield where lower attendances were blamed on a potential protest at the R&A using a men only club.

Lazy journalism.

 

[Foxholer]

Unlike how it was reported at the MEN ONLY club Muirfield where lower attendances were blamed on a potential protest at the R&A using a men only club.

Lazy journalism.

Just to ensure accuracy....

It's MEN ONLY CLUB HCEG.

Ladies are welcome at Muirfield - though there used to be (and maybe still are, but that note has gone from Visitors info, so probably improved) limited changing facilities for Ladies.