Sorry, Redan, but I must disagree. I have played in far too many USGA sponsored events over the years to agree with you. Their INTENT is to set up a course to identify the best players, but too often they lose control of the situation. Please don't forget- they are playing these championships on some of the best golf courses in the world- these courses are already difficult without the USGA's handprint. The players today are bigger, stronger, etc. and playing with better equipment than the greats of yesteryear, yet the scores at the US Open are virtually the same as they were 50 years ago. I think you will see how scores in the other majors have come down, gradually, over the same time period, but not in the US Open.
The first 6 players who went through hole #7 on Sunday went double, triple x 5! THEN, the navy blazers get together and realize they have a problem. That green, like so many others all over this country, was built before there was such a thing as a Stimpmeter. The ball is supposed to stay on the green when struck properly, not roll off to God knows where.
Just once I would like to see them just set the course up the way the members play it- it's already one of the best in the country, right? Let's see what these guys can do, without so much of the luck factor being introduced. I think the R&A, and the PGA do a MUCH better job of course set-up for their championships. As far as Augusta, well, it's an invitational run by the members themselves, so I guess they can do any thing they darn well please.
