Tim McDonald - Latest Comments on It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Matthew Soucy [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Matthew Soucy [Visitor] — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:07:09 +0000

Tim, as an American and avid enthusiast
of gold, the Open Championship is the
accurate form of address of this historic
championship. Accordingly, to European
periodicals that refer to the major golf
event contested annually in Augusta, GA, it
is The Masters tournament, not the "American
Masters" tournament. I've read that in
print on the continent.

Bary Ward [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Bary Ward [Visitor] — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:36:27 +0000

It's a question of useage, really. When the event began in 1860 it was the first of its category, in fact there were very few golf tournaments in that era because stroke play (which we Brits misguidely call medal play....)was in its infancy. Until that point all competitions had been played in match play format.
It was the first such tournament open to all comers, so they named it The Open. It has been so called ever since.
Rather like The Amateur, which began at Hoylake in 1885 and was the consequence of the exploits of Hilton and Ball.
We, silly duffers, still call it The Amateur. I think they have a similar event in the US

Brandon Tucker [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Brandon Tucker [Visitor] — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:14:31 +0000

You know...if we follow your logic Tim, we shouldn't call the World Series what it is either, right? Isn't that arrogant of America?

David [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

David [Visitor] — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:21:03 +0000

'Actually, The Open Championship is no more "open" than the United States Open Championship.'

Shanks, you're both wrong and right.

You're correct in that neither tournaments are really all that 'open,' in that you generally have to be very good to qualify.

However, you're wrong in the sense that just until recently, one could only qualify for the U.S. Open on:

- U.S. mainland
- Canada
- Mexico
- and such like

Recently, a new qualifying tournament was established, but I forget where now.

I may have my details slightly wrong, but my point is that U.S. Open qualifying is not nearly as far-reaching as Open Championship qualifying (which takes place on every continent except Antarctica, I believe).

Frasier [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Frasier [Visitor] — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:20:30 +0000

"In journalism, one is taught that if a word or phrase is confusing, to even one person, change it."

Finally. That's why you Americans spell things rubbishly. :P

I don't agree with that assessment, words and phrases are likely to confuse someone, however simply put.

"Just because you're the first doesn't mean it's right."

Nor is calling something the incorrect name right either.

Frasier [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Frasier [Visitor] — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:50:07 +0000

Sorry, that should read; "does not change that its actual name is The Open Championship."

It's like saying speakers is spelt spaekers because its easier to spell. You could say that, but it wouldn't be correct.

"This is the English I don't like."

This is the people you don't like. Their nationality has nothing to do with it.

Frasier [Visitor] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Frasier [Visitor] — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:46:13 +0000

It's called the Open because that's its name. It's like saying it should be called American Nike because that's American. The name is the Open championship. Just because you want to call it something different does change that its actual name is The Open Championship.

Shanks [Member] in response to: It's the "BRITISH Open," not "The Open"

Shanks [Member] — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:40:37 +0000

Actually, The Open Championship is no more "open" than the United States Open Championship.