"I think it's a good thing for St. Andrews so long as it does not stifle progress. I would want to be very satisfied that that was the case before being a supporter of it."

The sacred contours of the second hole should be protected from "progress." (Click to enlarge)Lost in the R&A press conference talk over changing the Old Course boundaries, the last minute rough mowing and the overall jaw dropping wackiness that is a the R&A trying to set up their home links course, was a question and Peter Dawson answer in today's presser. Steve Elling reports:

The Old Course has reportedly been listed as a nomination candidate for World Heritage status, a program run by the United Nations to help ensure that cultural icons remain protected, if not unmolested, for enjoyment by future generations.

Sounds like a perfect match for the so-called Home of Golf, yet Dawson said he only conditionally supported the notion -- providing that it must still allow some wiggle room for further R&A tinkering.

"I think it's a good thing for St. Andrews so long as it does not stifle progress," Dawson said. "I would want to be very satisfied that that was the case before being a supporter of it."

Of course, his definition of progress is a lot different than the way others see it!

Comments

[Brian Sullivan]

Why do you seem so obsessed with resisting any changes ? If you want the Old Course to go the way of Prestwick and other of that nature (which by the way, were obsolete due to prior advances, then keep it just as it is (or as it was, which is what you seem to advocate ?

[Geoff]

Brian,
Congrats, you win the point misser of the week award.

The courses should not have to change because the administrators are too timid to control the equipment. If you can't get that, then I really can't explain much more for you.

[Smails]

Geoff, if your answer to the equipment problem is to get the United Nations involved, you may be going a little overboard.

Even the most pro-convervationist person would be a fool to entrust decisions about his/her property to the government, let alone the UN.

[Geoff]

I didn't say it was a good idea, I'm just fascinated to know Mr. Dawson's definition of progress.