British Open '09 heads for Scotland's Turnberry; you should be there

text size

If there is a single sporting event every golfer should attend at least once in their lifetime, it can only be The British Open, or to give the world's oldest golf tournament its correct name, The Open Championship. This is the only one of the four Majors to be played outside of the USA and perhaps because of this, it has a special blend of pageantry, history and excitement that is totally unique. It's a magic that can only be experienced in person - the other Majors don't have it and even when The Open is held at one of the four English venues, although the magic is there, it's muted and restrained.

The Ailsa Course is ranked No. 1 in the British Isles

Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in the midst of their 1977 Duel in the Sun at Turnberry

Nick Price demonstrated some winner's enthusiam at Turnberry's 1994 Open

Tiger Woods will be ready to pounce on his fourth Open win

Good looking, but with as tough a golf test as exists, Ailsa is one of a kind

Carnoustie - Host to the 2007 Open

Turnberry occupies a coastline made for links courses

BOOK YOUR TRIP

For a other ideas on golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, British Open, Spain & Portugal, click here or call Golf International at 800.328.9898.

Only when The Open returns to its Scottish roots is the full force of Open Magic so much in evidence. It takes the place where The Open was conceived back in 1860 to set the magic loose and bring out the full glory and excitement of the world's most historic single sporting event and next year The Open is coming home to Scotland. It couldn't be more appropriate, the Scottish parliament has officially declared 2009 as Homecoming Year for all things Scottish and there is nothing more Scottish than golf and The Open.

The venue will be Turnberry's remarkable Ailsa Course, ranked as the very best layout in all of Britain and Ireland, which made its debut as an Open host back in 1977. This was the year when a young Tom Watson won his second Open title in what is acknowledged as perhaps the most thrilling golf show in the game's history -- the famous "Duel in the Sun". Under uncommonly sunny skies Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson fought a nail biting, head to head battle over the final two rounds, the lead constantly changing back and forth between them. Watson would eventually emerge as the winner, but not until the 72nd hole and by a single stroke. To Watson went the spoils - the famous claret jug and a winner's purse of just $20,000 -- how things have changed!

Turnberry's second Open hosting was not to be until 1986 when conditions were quite different. The weather was miserable and the wind blew as only the Irish Sea and an exposed links course can allow. A longhaired, blonde Australian, Greg Norman, defied the elements, taking a second day lead with a miraculous round of 63 and an exhibition of links golf that is still talked about at Turnberry. With two more equally impressive rounds, the White Shark finished with a 5-stroke lead over Englishman Gordon Brand and one more over a little known German, third placed, Bernhard Langer.

There was another very close finish at Turnberry's 1994 hosting of The Open, which on the final day gave every appearance of having Jesper Parnevik be the new champion, but the Golf Gods had other plans. Parnevik dropped a shot on the final hole to be passed by Nick Price who holed a monstrous 50-foot eagle putt on the 17th then safely parred the 18th to win by a stroke. At Turnberry, there really are no sure bets and thriller finishes are a specialty of the house.

Will 2009 produce another heart stopping Open? Chances are it's in the cards. After a brief sojourn at England's Royal Birkdale, this is a return to Scotland year. It may be just coincidence, but Turnberry's Duel in the Sun followed the 1976 Open, which had also been held at Royal Birkdale.

Tiger Woods will be eager to land his fourth Open title after the unfortunate knee injury that forced him to withdraw from this year's event - and it's his favorite Major. Let's not forget some of the less familiar names such as Anthony Kim, who seized the opportunity to take the limelight with an impressive performance at The Wachovia Championship, as did Ryuji Imada at The AT & T Classic. Then there's Phil Mickelson who would dearly love to win an Open, but so would Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia, Kenny Perry, Adam Scott and more than a few of his Australian compatriots. The Open is the de facto, World Championship of Golf and who wouldn't want to be the world champion?

For we mere mortals, the closest we can ever get is by experiencing an Open in person and there'll be no time better than next July, when Scotland's Turnberry hosts and Open Magic will be everywhere.

Golf International has been operating escorted motorcoach tours to The Open every year since 1989 and is again offering a selection of exciting itineraries to the 2009 event. Each tour includes attendance at the thrilling final two rounds of The Open and for the golfers, golf on a selection of some of the very best links courses in the country.

Those taking the The Bobby Locke Tour will spend the first three nights at the luxurious, Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, located a few steps from The Old Course. Golfers will play the 2007 Open venue, Carnoustie, the remarkable Kingsbarns links and if Lady Luck is smiling, have the chance to play grand old lady, St. Andrews Old Course. This tour also includes a very special treat, the opportunity to play the very best of Scotland's true hidden gems, Machrihanish.

The Old Tom Morris Tour offers golf on the jewel at Machrihanish and finish in grand style at The Turnberry Hotel, where by special arrangement the golfers will be among the first to play Turnberry's Ailsa Course, following the final round of the 2009 Open.

This will be a very special experience -- the pin positions will be as they were during the final round, the bleachers and stands will still be in place, only the crowds will be gone. With a little imagination it won't be difficult to picture the seats still filled and the roar of the crowd is for you as you approach the 18th green, Tiger or Phil alongside. Nobody will mind if you tip your hat in acknowledgement of those imagined cheers.

And Golf International does not forget those who may not be playing golf, in fact they are particularly well taken care of with some fascinating sightseeing tours while the golfers are on those courses. Carefully planned excursions will reveal the history and culture, the magnificent scenery, ancient castles, the towns and charming villages that make Scotland so special.

If you enjoy watching this year's Open on television, think how much better it will be to be there in person next year. For more details on Golf International's 2009 escorted tour program, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.