wiscb:
This is like the stimulas for the banks.It was our money,and had no say so.Why don`t they (WGT) pick five coarses and let us (the financial backers) vote on the next one? There are alot nicer coarses then that yellow and brown St Andrews.
OK, So by your logic: St. Andrews is a bad course because you don't like the color of the turf......
This is a sad and common misconception among those who don't really understand what makes a good golf course, these kind of people are unfortunately great in number. Just because St. Andrews isn't maintained the way you are used to in the USA doesn't make it a bad golf course. In terms of conditioning of turf, what matters the most is that there are no bare spots, the grass is kept healthy, and a consistent turf length throughout the course is kept. I can tell you, having played St. Andrews myself (I am guessing you have developed your opinion by merely looking up pictures), that this course exhibits all of these characteristics. Scottish and Irish links courses are supposed to be kept rolling hard and fast. These types of courses are infrequently watered because of the amount it rains in Ireland and Scotland, especially along the coast. These courses do not flood because the sandy nature of the ground absorbs water. So therefore, the turf will not be, and is not supposed to be, the emerald green color you will see at say, an Augusta National. In terms of what else makes a great golf course: the history, the shot variety, the creativity of the layout, multiple routes to the green on many of the holes, playability for amateurs and not only pros, and I could keep going. The point is: shame on you if you cannot appreciate St. Andrews.