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GOLF

No water, no problem: Why U.S. Senior Open site is agronomic anomaly

The spotlight is on Minnesota’s mighty Mississippi River at this week’s U.S. Senior Open at the 400-acre Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which will host a USGA championship for the first time since 2009 when Lucas Glover won the U.S. Open there.

Saucon Valley is one of the few courses in the country built on a flood plain. The issues that usually come with building a course so close to water have been almost entirely mitigated by an elaborate drainage system that diverts water away from the course.

“The original design was intentional to keep the water off the course,” said John Zimmers, chairman of the USGA championship committee. “There’s a 25-foot drop-off right over there and there’s a series of pumps and ponds and basins that keep the water from coming onto the course.”

GOLF LESSONS

U.S. Open Tests Golfers amid Extreme Conditions

Day 2 of the U.S. Open proved challenging at The Country Club. Tiger Woods faced setbacks, carding a 78 and hitting just 5 of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler made the cut, but face a gap to catch up to the leader. Despite the difficulties, T.L Hatton maintained his humor, quipping that the US Open setup aligns with his usual approach of “losing [his] head.” With golfers continuing to grapple with the extreme conditions, the tournament provides an intriguing test of resilience and skill.

GOLF

Straka makes hole-in-one on No. 9 at U.S. Open

**Straka’s Hole-in-One Sets Open Atop Leaderboard**

SE PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Sepp Straka hit a hole-in-one on No. 9 at Pinehurst No. 2 during the U.S. Open’s second round on Friday, becoming the 13th player to ace the iconic par-3.

Straka, who is participating in his second U.S. Open, used an 8-iron to send his tee shot towards the 215-yard hole. The ball landed on the green and rolled directly into the cup, much to the delight of the large gallery.

The hole-in-one propelled Straka to the top of the leaderboard at 3-under par for the tournament. He is one stroke ahead of a group of four players who are tied for second place.

GOLF LESSONS

Factors Influencing the Design and Development of Golf Courses in the Contemporary Context

**Excerpt: Factors Shaping Golf Course Design in Modern Times**

In contemporary golf course design, design principles are influenced by a confluence of factors.

Environmental considerations paramount include sustainable practices and water management, shaping courses that harmonize with natural surroundings. Additionally, advancements in technology have empowered designers with sophisticated visualization tools and enhanced capabilities for course optimization.

Moreover, the growing popularity of recreational golf has spurred demand for courses accessible to players of diverse skill levels. Designers must strike a balance between challenge and playability, ensuring courses provide an engaging experience for all.

Lastly, economic realities impact design decisions, with budget constraints and projected revenue streams shaping course layout and amenities.

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