[Golfers' Bucket List⑧] Muirfield Village "Another Masters Battleground"

'Original Golf Emperor' Nicklaus' 'Masterpiece', Woods and McIlroy "Major-Level Course Evaluation", Frequent Course Changes for 'Unique Fun'

The "Memorial Tournament Battleground" Muirfield Village appears peaceful, but the fairways are narrow and the greens are fast, making it challenging to attack. Photo by Golf Digest

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Memorial Tournament battleground."

The eighth stop is Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, USA. It is a regular on Golf Digest's biennial list of the world's top 100 courses. The 'original golf emperor' Jack Nicklaus (USA) became deeply fascinated with this course after winning The Open at Muirfield, Scotland, in 1966, and returned to his hometown Dublin to create Muirfield Village. It was completed in 1974.

It is interesting that Nicklaus declared right after winning The Masters Tournament in 1966 that he wanted to "create another Masters." The Memorial Tournament, which began in 1975, even has a similar spelling. Great efforts are being made to elevate it to the status of the 'fifth major.' World stars such as the 'resurrected golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) and 'number 1' Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) also recognize it as a 'major-level' event.

Tiger Woods (left) is posing with host Jack Nicklaus after collecting his fifth trophy at the 2012 Memorial Tournament.

This year, due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the PGA Tour schedule was disrupted, and a rare spectacle unfolded with the newly established Workday Charity Open being held at Muirfield Village starting on the 9th. It is very unusual for PGA Tour events to be held at the same venue for two consecutive weeks. In addition to the Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village has hosted major golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup (1992), Solheim Cup (1987), and Presidents Cup (2013).

Muirfield Village is a representative affluent community in Ohio. Many local CEOs, animal expert Jack Hanna, football coach Urban Meyer (both USA), and professional golfer Jason Day (Australia) reside there. Muirfield Village is a 36-hole private membership consisting of Muirfield Golf Club and The Country Club at Muirfield Village. It is equipped with tennis courts, swimming pools, banquet halls, and luxury lounges.

Muirfield Village Clubhouse

The tournament course is the Golf Club, par 72, 7,392 yards. The fairways and greens are bentgrass. John Huston (USA) set the course record with a 61 in 1996. Muirfield Village is Nicklaus's 'home turf.' It is famous for frequently changing the course for added interest. Recently, holes 1, 10, 12, and 17 were modified. Bunkers were added to holes 10 and 17, and hole 18 (also par 4) was lengthened by 40 yards to 484 yards.

The clubhouse was remodeled, and the driving range was also upgraded. It boasts excellent scenery. Overall, it is peaceful and neat. Efforts are being made to make the course comparable to Augusta National, the Masters venue. The links course Muirfield served as the motif. It was designed with players in mind. Water flows along the course. The fairways are narrow, and the greens are fast. A moment of relaxation can lead to a sudden collapse.