Post by tibby000 on Dec 20, 2013 8:03:05 GMT
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England -- Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson says the St. Andrews-based organization has invested $16 million in toughening and tightening all courses used to host the Open Championship, including lengthening the courses for the 2012 and 2013 editions. Dawson said a fund was created to bring the nine courses used for the Open "into the modern era." He said an average of about $800,000 had been spent on each course, "but I would say its money well spent." And while Dawson earlier detailed changes to this years host venue at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, he said Tuesday that changes have already been put in place for the 2013 Open venue at Muirfield. "Everything has been done at Muirfield and it has been done for a few years now," he said. "There are quite a few changes, but they are very subtle." Dawson said one of the biggest changes at Muirfield was a new back tee at the ninth hole, where 60 to 70 yards had been added to the hole. The 10th fairway has been moved about one-third of its width to provide more room at the practice ground. "Almost all the changes at Muirfield, apart from the ninth tee, you would not notice them," Dawson said, adding that the course will play some 200 yards longer than when the British Open was last held at Muirfield in 2002. Dawson also said that while he was impressed with the new Donald Trump course at Aberdeen, he said it would need to be commercially viable to the R&A to take golfs oldest major to the Martin Hawtree-designed course at Balmedie. "It is a spectacular golf course and it was me who recommended Martin Hawtree to Donald," Dawson. "As for an Open Championship being played there we will have to wait and see. There is every indication the golf course is very strong, but lets see how it matures and I would say it has a long way to go yet." The British Open starts July 19. Authentic Eric Reid Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Black Eric Reid Jersey . -- LaMarcus Aldridge believes the key to the Trail Blazers early success this season is chemistry. www.ericreidjersey.com/. Asked about his future and plan to stop fighting at 35, the 32-year-old Jackson said he would keep going if needed to provide for his family. "I want to put some of my kids through college and I know some of my kids, Im going to need lawyer fees for them. Womens Eric Reid Jersey . -- Jorge Posada would like to play another season; hes just not sure someone will give him the chance. Eric Reid Jersey . The 31-year-old from Kamloops, B.C., threw 21.29 metres to capture the mens shot put title at the Canadian track and field trials and cement his spot on the Olympic team for London.RENTON, Wash. -- Even though Pete Carroll insists the competition is ongoing, it is clear Matt Flynn is the leading contender to be the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback when the season begins. Flynn will get his second straight preseason start for the Seahawks on Saturday night when Seattle travels to Denver, with rookie Russell Wilson expected to play the second half in a similar format to what the team followed last week against Tennessee. Apparently left out of the rotation is incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson, who took all the reps with the No. 1 offence as Seattle (No. 22 in the AP Pro32) returned to practice on Tuesday, but will be shuffled to the end of the line and may see extremely limited action, if any, against the Broncos. Carroll again repeated that the Seahawks need to learn more about Flynn and Wilson, having seen Jackson for all of last season. But when asked why not start the rookie third-round pick out of Wisconsin against the Broncos, Carroll made clear that Flynn has the lead. "I think this is the right way to do it. I think this is where they sit right now," Carroll said. "I thought this would happen. I did consider that as one of the possibilities and it was going to be based on the progress that were making. Matt has done a really good job of commanding all the stuff. He understands the game in great depth and he gives us a veteran presence even though he doesnt have a lot of starting time, because he recognizes defences, hes well into that whole understanding of what is going on on the other side of the ball. Its still a challenge for Russell to catch up with all that stuff. Hes battling to get there. There is a difference right now." Flynn made his debut with the Seahawks playing an efficient first half in their 27-17 win over Tennessee last Saturday. Flynn didnt take chances and only made one mistake in completing 11 of 13 passes for 71 yards and an interception. Only one of his throws actually hit the ground, a pass that was dropped by tight end Anthony McCoy. Most impressive for Flynn was directing a