There's been some major heroics up at St Andrews this weekend - with more to come today no doubt. And not just from the remarkable play by amateur Paul Dunne.
No, the Old Course's greenkeeping crew, wonderfully supported by the BIGGA Open Support Team of volunteer members from around the country, have got play moving after some incredibly testing weather conditions.
So a massive well done one and all! Obviously many of the volunteer greenkeepers were expecting to be back at their home courses today with tales of a challenging and exciting few days rubbing shoulders with the world's greats. However with play over running until a Monday for only the second time in The Open's 155-year history, they are still needed on site.
BIGGA released a statement this morning saying, "Some of the Support Team have had to depart due to prior commitments, while others have managed to rearrange plans to stay. Some team members will rake for two matches as a result." So a real team effort there - a genuine credit to the industry.
However, an interesting if controversial view cropped up over the weekend. This article on SB Nation said "The high winds make the course unplayable because the greens have been cut too short and can't hold the ball still."
It also blames modern ball and club technology which can see the ball fly 300-350 yards, therefore rendering most of course's obstacles obsolete, therefore meaning greens have to run faster and faster to make the course still prove challenging.
It's certainly worth a read and makes for an interesting debate. They point how greens at St Andrews were running at 10 on the stimpmeter and therefore unplayable. But how on a links course up the road, which presumably was running a few notches down from this, play wasn't stopped at all on Saturday.
It does give one pause for thought, but what should not be overlooked at this stage is the amazing work being carried out by the turf professionals on the ground, coping with highly difficult conditions with the world's media watching.
Perhaps green speed questions are for the higher-ups in the game to face after the new champion has been crowned?
