Tuesday Shorts

In Links, Jim Finegan writes about the New Course at St. Andrews and the town. Greg Couch in the Chicago Sun-Times has some interesting observations about Tiger's current attitude compared to the old Tiger. And saving the best for last, Teddy Greenstein in the Chicago Tribune lists five things that Cog Hill owner Frank Jemsek should do to get a U.S. Open. First he says rebuild the "springy" greens:

Jemsek wants to install the SubAir system that Augusta National uses to drain its greens. Three of Dubsdread's greens--Nos. 2, 4 and 16--have the underground system installed, providing protection from low scores in wet conditions.

Providing protection from low scores in wet conditions? Is there like, an insurance policy you can buy in case of low scores? Anyway, second, he says hire Rees Jones.

First Jemsek hopes that Greg Muirhead, Jones' design associate, will visit Cog Hill and write a favorable report.

Yes, one can only hope. Greenstein then writes that Jemsek should be prepared to take the financial hit that goes with rebuilding the course in hopes of luring an Open, even with no guarantees. And Jemsek also must "improve" the bunkers by shifting them forward to where today's drives land.

There also could be an issue with the sand in Dubsdread's 100 bunkers. When Cog Hill was host for the 1997 U.S. Amateur, one of the USGA's complaints was that the sand was too soft.

"They said it should be firm so players did not get any pancake or buried lies," Jemsek said. "I don't agree with that. . . . When people said [the bunkers] were tough or unfair, my dad said, `Well, yeah, it's a hazard.'"

Finally, Greenstein says that Cog Hills must remove trees, narrow fairways and add length, elements that will surely have the golfing public flocking to Dubsdread at $200 just to be miserable.

For Cog Hill to contend for 2013 and beyond, Dubsdread might have to go longer than its current 7,326 yards. And the fairways would have to be narrowed.

All of that, and Jemsek still won't get an Open. But just think, all of his effort and money will help the USGA get a better deal out of someone else. And Cog Hill can pass the cost along to the golfers. And it's all for the good of the game!