If you are not a heavy consumer of social media you may not realize that recently Saint Andrews Links did a little work around the famed Swilcan Bridge at the Old Course. Innocently enough, they were were trying to address a legitimate issue. It’s the damage being done around the famed bridge due to excessive foot traffic caused by golfers and visitors looking to get that once in a lifetime photo. Outrage and chaos ensued on social media and to the credit of the Saint Andrews Links Trust, they dismantled the Swilcan Patio and restored the golf worlds peace of mind.
The Swilcan bridge is the famed stone bridge that was built around 700 years ago to span the Swilcan Burn. The bridge actually pre-dates the golf course and was originally used to help Shepards get their livestock across the burn. It remained as the course was designed and spans the burn on the 18th hole to allow players and visitors alike a way across.
Fast forward hundreds of years and the Swilcan Bridge has ramped up its fame factor. It’s moved on from just a great picture spot for visitors and golfers who visit the Old Course at Saint Andrews. It’s now a must see of golf’s sacred spots. In the last 15 years or so it’s now become a sacred spot in the golf world due to the respect given it by golf’s greatest players. For example, in 2005 three time Open Championship winner and the holder of the all-time record of most majors, Jack Nicklaus, played his last Open Championship at Saint Andrews. When he reached the 18th and the Swilcan Bridge he paused, putting one foot on the side wall and waved to the crowds. It seemed to be his way of saying perfect course, perfect crowd, perfect time and perfect spot to say goodbye to the people and the Open Championship. Just five years later, five-time Open Champion Tom Watson paused on the bridge giving it a kiss to express his appreciation to the people, course and the championship. Since then and if deemed worthy, people are even expecting golf’s greats to create that moment at the Swilcan Bridge.
Most recently, this happened when Tiger Woods competed in the Open Championship at the Saint Andrews Old Course. On Day two and with no chance to make the cut, people were speculating whether Tiger would be back to the Old Course again in his professional career. If no, he surely must have his career punctuated by a brief stop on the Swilcan Bridge it was speculated. Tiger ended up taking off his cap and tipping it to the crowd as he crossed the span. The announcers first comments were “he didn’t stop, what does that mean?” Only Tiger knows, but it proves how iconic that one spot has become to the game.
Arguably, the Swilcan Bridge could be the top most sacred spot in the golf world. It has it all. It’s on The Old Course at Saint Andrews being the “birthplace of golf” and now it being given such respect and admiration by the some of best golfers to play the game. It does bring up the question of what other spots or monuments might make a list of items that the golfing world would not want changed or taken away. Here are a few spots up for discussion.
The Nelson Bridge and Hogan Bridge, Augusta National
The bridge that the players cross after they hit their tee shots to the par 3 12th is named the Nelson Bridge. The bridge is named after famed golfer Byron Nelson and it commemorates his performance in the 1937 Masters where he birdied the 12th hole and eagled the 13th hole on his way to win the championship. After teeing off on the Par 5 13th hole, the players cross the Hogan Bridge. This bridge commemorates the Performance of Ben Hogan back in 1953. Hogan shot a then record low score of 274 (-14) on his way to win the championship. That record stood for years until it was broken by Jack Nicklaus back in 1965. Both bridges cross Rae’s Creek. Rae’s Creek is actually named after one of the founding fathers of the town of Augusta, Georgia. John Rae was an Irish trader, farmer and rancher. The creek once ran for nearly 11 miles and connected with the Savanah River.
The Cypress Trees on the 18th Hole, Pebble Beach Golf Links
Trees are the jewelry that are located all around the Monterrey Peninsula and Pebble Beach Golf Links. The most famous tree by far is the Lone Cypress. The Lone Cypress sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking Carmel Bay. It is thought to be around 250 years old thus going back to the year 1750. The Lone Cypress isn’t at Pebble Beach Golf Links. It’s located down the road on famed 17-mile drive between Pebble Beach Golf Links and Cypress Point Club.
Looking at trees that are on the course, the 18th hole at Pebble Beach has two famous Cypress trees. The first is in the fairway and is both an aiming point or in some cases also an obstacle off the tee. There were actually two cypress pines in the fairway until 2014. A severe winter storm bringing lots of rain followed by 40 MPH winds knocked down one of the two trees in the fairway. Today, just one remains and many would say the one in the fairway is the most iconic tree on the hole. Yet, there are two famous trees on the 18th at pebble. The second is greenside and is now a Monterrey Cypress. Back in 2001 an old Monterrey Pine died from disease and wasn’t immediately replaced. However, it was quickly noticed when the annual Pro-Am took place that the hole had lost a big piece of its character and defense. A 200 year old Cypress weighing over 465,000 pounds was dug up near the 1st hole and moved back into the same spot as the one that died restoring the 18th to all it was before.
The Eucalyptus Trees at Riviera Country Club
Riviera Country Club has been a long time stop for professional golf and presently hosts the PGA Tour each year. It’s an amazing layout in Los Angeles with a lot of character and certainly a favorite stop for many of the players on the PGA Tour. Again, the trees are an iconic part of the course due to their distinctive character. There is the trimmed eucalyptus tree on the 12th named Bogey’s Tree. It’s alleged that movie star Humphrey Bogart used to sit under that tree during the tournament and heckle the pros. Then there are the eucalyptus trees throughout the course and that frame the par 3 16th green. They look prehistoric with their white bark and mammoth height. So you know, they are alive and well and they smell amazing.
The Lighthouse Behind the 18th Hole at Harbor Town Golf Links
Anyone who has has watched the PGA Tour stop on Hilton Head would recognize the 18th hole along the Atlantic Ocean and would immediately associate it to the red and white lighthouse that sits in the background from the tee and approach shots. For most viewers, it’s what reminds them of the tournament and the course. The lighthouse certainly makes it one of the most memorable finishing holes in golf. Many would assume that this was some ancient light that used to warn seafarers and assist in their navigation off the coast. That’s actually not the case at all. The lighthouse was built privately by Charles Fraser in 1970. It’s 90 feet high and is made of metal, lumber and stucco. It was initially considered a terrible idea but now stands as the symbol of Sea Pines Resort and Harbor Town Golf Links. it’s surrounded by shops and restaurants and even hosts weddings.
While the Swilcan Bridge stands atop the mountaintop for sacred golf sites, the above and a few more would certainly bring the ire of golf fans if they were gone or changed. Fans wouldn’t want the 17th island green at the TPC Sawgrass course made larger. Nor would they want the rock bulkhead to the narrow green at the 18th at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill converted to a grass bank. While upgrading or making changes to some courses is fine, the golf fans of the world are also people who look back on history and appreciate a good tradition. There are certainly more favorite golf monuments, feel free to list any of yours in the comments.