The first two events on my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events were major golf championship (U.S. Open and The Open Championship). That makes me uniquely qualified to espouse which did it better, right? Well, we’re going to with it. Here goes:
- Location: Pinehurst No. 2 (and really, Pinehurst, NC in general) is probably the epicenter of United States golf. Next to Augusta National Golf Club, it’s as synonomous with the sport in the States as the Old Course at St. Andrews is in the U.K. Still, it’s hard to argue with a location on the Firth of Anything with a hole known as the “Postage Stamp” that’s hosted some tremendous tournaments through the years. Pinehurst, however, has the Payne Stewart factor going for it. Edge: U.S. Open
- Food and Beverage: I didn’t devote a lot of time, energy, or capital to sample all the offerings at the two locations. That said, Carol’s fish and chips at The Open looked delicious. The egg salad sandwich I had at the U.S. Open tasted better than the BLT and Southwest Avocado I had in Troon. Edge: Even
- Ease of Movement: Pinehurst was not very hilly while Royal Troon had plenty of uneven terrain. Even some of the cart paths at Royal Troon were filled with large rock (likely to prevent muddying) which made for uneven stepping. Additionally, the links layout seemed to make it less conducive to larger grandstands which meant more foot traffic was required which equalled congestion. Edge: U.S. Open
- Weather: I realize event planners have no control over this. That said, it matters to spectators. The heat and humidity of mid-June in North Carolina vs. the unpredictability of coastal South Ayrshire, Scotland, in July. Give me cooler weather every time (even if it means rain). Edge: The Open
- Volunteers: Each was delightful in their own way. I really enjoyed those at the U.S. Open who greeted us as soon as we entered the main gate. They offered to take pictures and direct us anywhere we wished to go. Though The Open’s volunteers didn’t provide similar gate service, they were plentiful and helpful when asked and seemed genuinely interested in what brought us Americans to their corner of the world. Edge: Even
- Fellow Specators: Both turned out en masse (as you’d expect) for these events. I applaud the heartiness of The Open fans, however. While we settled in at the No. 14 green grandstand, there were folks on sides of us that were there as long as we were and a few who were there before we’d arrived. They were prepared for the elements and brought full-on picnics in their bags to sustain them through the hours they sat. And, to the untrained eye, it sure seemed as though the U.S. Open fans were more apt to spend time in the luxury suites and hospitality areas (e.g. air conditioned spaces) than they were on the course with the players and us general population folk. Edge: The Open
- Transportation: The park-and-ride system at each was similar. Get into a queue, park in a big field, and hop aboard a motor coach that transports you to the gate. Interestingly, the U.S. Open’s park-and-ride was included in the prices of your grounds pass; The Open’s was an extra charge (but here again, the grounds passes to The Open were less expensive). The deciding factor on this one is proximity to the entrance to the venue. For The Open’s park-and-ride handled the security checkpoint before boarding the coach and the drop-off was less-than 50 yards from the entrance. The U.S. Open it was easily a short par-4 walk to security from the bus stop and then another wedge shot to the entrance. Edge: The Open
- Toilet Facilities: I’m all about the creature comforts. While neither provided bonafide indoor plumbed facilities for us commoners, The Open came closest with more of a mobile trailer set up for its toilet facilities while the U.S. Open was full-on port-a-John. The latter lacked any airflow and, while drained nightly, were still prone to overflows and messes. Edge: The Open
- Overall: The Open gets the nod. Perhaps because of the exoticness of traveling overseas or, just maybe, because it’s done this 152 times now, but the Royal and Ancient Golf Club hit more of the right notes for golf fans. While the U.S. Open felt like many other major sporting events in the states, The Open still had a golf tournament feel about it.