R AND A CHIEF SAYS OPPOSITION TO OLD COURSE CHANGES IS HYSTERICAL

 FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By JAMES CORRIGAN  
Peter Dawson, the R and A chief executive, has labelled criticisms of the proposed changes to the Old Course as “hysterical” as players such as Tiger Woods and Ian Poulter question the necessity for alterations to the game’s most hallowed links
The architect Martin Hawtree has been contracted on a two-year project for the first significant changes to the famous St Andrews layout in 70 years, in time for the 2015 Open. In all, nine of the holes will be altered, with the most controversial being that to the 17th — the Road Hole. The notorious greenside bunker is in the process of being widened by 20 inches, with the front contour of the green reshaped to ensure the sand gathers more approach shots. 
The outcry was as inevitable as Dawson’s response that the fury was “knee-jerk”. It did not help the R and A’s cause that while the belly-putter was being banned the finger was being pointed at them for allowing the advent of the “turbocharged” golf ball and “space-age” driver. 
The governing body plainly feels obliged to protect the integrity of its most historic courses. But at what cost? Poulter was under no doubt, firing off a series of outraged tweets. 
“I know, let’s draw a moustache on the Mona Lisa,” he wrote. “Same as messing with a great course – St Andrews.” 
He added: “If they make changes to the Old Course they are insane. The course is great, just keep the  winning score up to Mother Nature.” 
At the Dunhill Links this year, France’s Victor Dubuisson and South Africa’s George Coetzee scored 10-under-par 62s, while at the 2010 Open Rory McIlroy signed for a 63, the lowest first round in major history. 
“They were obviously fearing a 59,” the Scottish European Tour professional Stephen Gallacher said. Yet many believe that concern was unfounded. 
The average round from the 2010 Open was more than 73, while the average score on the par-four 17th was more than 4.6. 
“I think 17 is hard enough as it is,” Woods said. “I don’t think we need to make that bunker any deeper or bigger.” 
For the first time since 1949, new bunkers are being introduced – on the right side of the third fairway and another on the left side of the ninth fairway 20 yards short of the green. 
Another controversial more will be to lower the back of the par-three 11th green, to allow for more pin positions. 
Such is the strength of opposition, Tom Doak, one of the world’s leading architects, has vowed to petition the R and A and the St Andrews Links Trust to stop the work and already has the support of other influential figures, including the American Society of Golf Course Architects’ president, Bob Cupp. 
But the R and A is unswayed. 
“We have considered the challenge presented to the world’s top golfers by each of the Open Championship venues and carried out a programme of improvements over the last 10 years. 
"While some holes have been lengthened on the Old Course in recent years it has otherwise remained largely unaltered,” Dawson said. 
“The championship committee felt there was an opportunity to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. 
"The proposals should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course.”