WAR-TIME GOLF CHANGES

Remodelling of Old Links for Cultivation.

For the second time in a quarter of a century a war has caused a remodelling of St.Annes Old Links, famous seaside course where in 1926 qualifying rounds for the Open Championship were played, writes "Dormy" in the “Blackpool Gazette & Herald."

During the last war the 3rd and 4th holes were put under cultivation. This time the long 5th and the 289 yards 13th are out of commission for the duration.

The ground-plan of the course has again had to be revised. The first four holes have been re- numbered, the short third being played as the first, the fourth as the second, the second as the third, and, the first as the fourth.

From a new tee the old seventh becomes the new fifth. The holes are played in the former sequence afterwards to the 12th which is now the 10th.

THE NEW 11th.

Across a paddock a new 11th hole, measuring 186 yards, has been constructed, and from this new green the old 6th is played as the new 12th.

The new 13th is another short hole-190 yards in length—from the old 7th tee to the old 14th green. Afterwards the 15th is played as the 14^th, the 16th as the 15^th, the 17th as the 16th, and the famous 18th, its green guarded by a miniature Himalayan range, as the 17th.

The new 18th is a repetition of an experiment employed in the last war—a hole of 158 yards, the tee close to the old 18th green, the green a sector of the putting course outside the clubhouse.

SIX “THREE HOLES."

 "We still have a grand sporting course," reports the Old Links secretary, Mr. S. Buckley Lowe.

The length of the course has been reduced by less than 500 yards— from 6,512 to 6,050—and the only material difference is that now there are six short holes—" three holes" as they call them in golfers' vernacular—instead of three.

This year there will be no Ashton Trophy and no Whitsuntide open meeting — these events, too, were cancelled during the last war—but a tournament on behalf of war charities is contemplated.