Later this month, professionals from all over the world hoping to earn a spot in the 145th Open Championship will take on the rigorous duty of Regional and Final Qualifying. The R&A stages these qualifiers all across Great Britain and Ireland, and frequently rotates the courses given the honor. In fact, they just recently announced four new qualifying venues starting with the 2018 Open at Carnoustie. This year, 17 different courses will host a stage of Open qualifying, a number of which are favorite stops for our traveling Members of the Forces.
Panmure
Ben Hogan famously prepared for the 1953 Open – his one and only – at Panmure, which this year will host Regional qualifying. The Wee Ice Mon was always complimentary of the club’s membership for their gracious hospitality, a tradition that continues today for our travelers. Panmure has hosted numerous Members’ Matches with private clubs traveling with H&B. The camaraderie of the matches and the dinners that follow are often cited as the most special memories from those trips.
The members of Mayacama GC and Panmure enjoy a post-match dinner.
Hillside
Greg Norman once remarked that the back-9 at Hillside was the “best in Britain.” While the club itself claims it’s “probably the finest links course not to have hosted the Open Championship.” The Major tends to keep clear of such hyperbole, but Hillside is always well received by our members who add an “Emergency 18” here during their visit to the Southport area. It’s safe to say the few who emerge from this year’s Final qualifying will likely feel the same.
A member of Bull Valley GC strikes a pose at Hillside.
The Island
The towering dunes of The Island Golf Club near Dublin play host to Regional qualifying this year, as they have twice before. Although none of the competitors will have to take a rowboat to the course like the early membership, we’re certain they’ll enjoy it as much as our travelers. There is a downside, however, to The Island serving as host: it violates the standing rule of the great Bernard Darwin… “The best course in Ireland you’ve never heard of. Play it, and tell no one.”
The 13th at The Island.. One of Ireland’s great par-3s.
Royal Cinque Ports
This qualifying host – better known as Deal – is among the elite club of former Open Championship venues. It hosted the tournament in 1909 and 1920, with two additional scheduled stops cancelled due to flooding of the course. The club’s connection to the Claret Jug lives on in the form of Final qualifying, although many of our members visiting the Channel Coast agree it’s still worthy of the real deal.
North Berwick
Sure, North Berwick isn’t a part of the Open qualifying rota this year, but we include it because it’s both a favorite of our members and a tale of caution for the players. In 1992, a young Phil Mickelson arrived to the West Links hoping for a spot in his second Open Championship. He crashed out with an 80 in the final round and called it a “rude awakening” to links golf. 21 years later, that early lesson was surely some help just down the road at Muirfield.
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