Professional Golf 2024 & 2025

[The Squirrel]

It’s tough to get courses to host the events which is a shame as there are some brilliant links courses that could host it

I have no clue about top-end golf course economics and hosting the biggest events. Surely the club gets paid for hosting and gets an enormous amount of exposure and prestige? Would have thought any course wanting to make themselves attractive to visitors, especially Americans, would be falling over themselves to do it?

 

[pokerjoke]

I have no clue about top-end golf course economics and hosting the biggest events. Surely the club gets paid for hosting and gets an enormous amount of exposure and prestige? Would have thought any course wanting to make themselves attractive to visitors, especially Americans, would be falling over themselves to do it?

A lot comes down to logistics and location.
Saunton would be great to host an Open, absolute nightmare to get to and accommodation in the area very minimal.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I have no clue about top-end golf course economics and hosting the biggest events. Surely the club gets paid for hosting and gets an enormous amount of exposure and prestige? Would have thought any course wanting to make themselves attractive to visitors, especially Americans, would be falling over themselves to do it?

I thought Renaissance paid to host this? Might be wrong but that is what I had heard.

 

[AliMc]

I thought Renaissance paid to host this? Might be wrong but that is what I had heard.

That's what I understood the case to be LT, could be wrong of course

 

[AliMc]

Course looks superb, although no defence with the weather so good and only getting better as the week goes on.
As a Scotsman though, I wish they would rotate the Scottish Open, we have got so many great courses and we need to show them off!!!

The only course I haven't played in East Lothian, it looks like a good course like NB, Dunbar, Luffness, Gullane and Archerfield etc but not a great course like Muirfield, imo,
I've no doubt the holes down by the shore are spectacular but those that you can see when you look over the wall nr Archerfield walled garden (the Paupers Wall as my wife likes to call it) look pretty bland
Went down there a few times when my kids were younger and never once saw anyone playing the course !

 

[OldMate]

Rory is flying early in the second round - with his fast/confidence boosting finishing yesterday he's now tied for the lead and 8 under for his last 10 holes

 

[Slab]

I thought Renaissance paid to host this? Might be wrong but that is what I had heard.

Yeah for many clubs it costs the club a healthy 7 figure sum to host a Tour event

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I have no clue about top-end golf course economics and hosting the biggest events. Surely the club gets paid for hosting and gets an enormous amount of exposure and prestige? Would have thought any course wanting to make themselves attractive to visitors, especially Americans, would be falling over themselves to do it?

Courses need to pay to host the events

They then look at ways to bring money into the club to help pay for it - sponsers etc

 

[AliMc]

Courses need to pay to host the events

They then look at ways to bring money into the club to help pay for it - sponsers etc

The rumoured debenture payment when Renaissance first opened was £100k I doubt they'll have to worry too much about the money side of things

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The only course I haven't played in East Lothian, it looks like a good course like NB, Dunbar, Luffness, Gullane and Archerfield etc but not a great course like Muirfield, imo,
I've no doubt the holes down by the shore are spectacular but those that you can see when you look over the wall nr Archerfield walled garden (the Paupers Wall as my wife likes to call it) look pretty bland
Went down there a few times when my kids were younger and never once saw anyone playing the course !

I've been a spectator there twice. I agree, it is quite bland. I'm surprised it is the millionaire golfer bracket. I'd want more than it offers for the money.

I'm sure it is always perfect, no doubt the clubhouse is special. The course just doesn't look exceptional.

 

[AliMc]

The rumoured debenture payment when Renaissance first opened was £100k I doubt they'll have to worry too much about the money side of things

Alan Shearer was a member at Archerfield and used to play occasionally on a Sunday morning, I suppose fitting it in with his motd schedules, i think he played with Tommy Craig and maybe another couple of other Newcastle staff, we played around the same time and spoke to them afterwards a couple of times. When Renaissance opened one of them told us that Shearer had joined there too and the debenture was around £100k but there were other rumours around at the time suggesting £60k, maybe different levels of membership, certainly not cheap

 

[TigerTime]

Current rates at Renaissance are eye watering.

You buy equity in the club at £150k minimum, then yearly subs of £10k upwards. It is, of course, similar to the Loch Lomonds and Skibo Castles of the world a very private and exclusive club that do not welcome visitors, only guests of members. However with that said - if you have that sort of money you can just e-mail and join apparently.

 

[simsini]

Chris Gotterup on 59 watch, needs 2 birdies in the last 3 holes and he's currently on a par 5.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I've been a spectator there twice. I agree, it is quite bland. I'm surprised it is the millionaire golfer bracket. I'd want more than it offers for the money.

I'm sure it is always perfect, no doubt the clubhouse is special. The course just doesn't look exceptional.

Royal Liverpool is the same, nothing amazing about it from a course design perspective - it’s just handy for The Open due to the space they have and the logistics involved.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Royal Liverpool is the same, nothing amazing about it from a course design perspective - it’s just handy for The Open due to the space they have and the logistics involved.

Royal Liverpool is a superb course , some brilliant holes , it maybe understated a little because of not too many big dunes but it’s subtly excellent

 

[sunshine]

Royal Liverpool is a superb course , some brilliant holes , it maybe understated a little because of not too many big dunes but it’s subtly excellent

For the first time ever, I agree with Mel.

It's a superb course but not in the same league as other English Open venues like Birkdale and St George's.

 

[sunshine]

The rumoured debenture payment when Renaissance first opened was £100k I doubt they'll have to worry too much about the money side of things

Just because the debenture is £100k that doesn't mean they have lots of money. Loch Lomond is the same and has gone bust twice.

 

[sunshine]

I have no clue about top-end golf course economics and hosting the biggest events. Surely the club gets paid for hosting and gets an enormous amount of exposure and prestige? Would have thought any course wanting to make themselves attractive to visitors, especially Americans, would be falling over themselves to do it?

As others have said, the club pays to host. It's a big marketing exercise, that's why events are usually held at resort courses.

There's little incentive for a private members club to host a tournament, unless they are on a big recruitment drive.

 

[Mel Smooth]

For the first time ever, I agree with Mel.

It's a superb course but not in the same league as other English Open venues like Birkdale and St George's.

If I had to choose between one round at Hillside or 10 at Royal Liverpool, I’d take Hillside.

 

[kp17]

Rory is flying early in the second round - with his fast/confidence boosting finishing yesterday he's now tied for the lead and 8 under for his last 10 holes

I can see Scottie doing similar this afternoon, shaping up to be a good weekend.