Which is perhaps no surprise, given the level of vitriol aimed at the now doomed construction on social media. By way of example, the work was described as ‘a monstrosity’, ‘a car parking spot’, ‘really troubling’, ‘a mare’, ‘an epic abomination’, ‘criminal’, ‘an amazing level of incompetence’, or simply ‘horrible’.

Three-time Open champion Nick Faldo called it “worse than missing the fairway left.” And today’s front page of the local Courier in Dundee left no doubt as to the newspaper’s view. Above a large picture of the work done so far the headline read: “Like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa.”

If you’ve travelled halfway around the world for your bucket list round at St Andrews, would you rather leave with a bit of historic dirt on your shoes or a few cement mix scraps? ? pic.twitter.com/O1NWIHbIKt

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) February 5, 2023

In a statement on Monday, the Links Trust announced the abandonment of what was claimed to be an attempt to alleviate the wear-and-tear at either end of what is perhaps golf’s most historic monument. The bridge is crossed by each one of the 50,000 golfers who play the Old Course each year, as well as by thousands of other visitors eager to have their photograph taken. Every great male player in the history of the game (with the notable exception of Ben Hogan) has walked over the Swilcan Bridge at least once in their lives.

“The stonework at the approach and exit of the bridge was identified as one possible long-term solution, however while this installation would have proved some protection, in this instance we believe we are unable to create a look which is in keeping with its iconic setting and have taken the decision to remove it,” said the statement. “We have also taken on feedback from many stakeholders and partners, as well as the golfing public, and we would like to thank everyone who has been in touch for their contribution to the issue.”

The statement was released only hours after two representatives of the Links Trust — Laurie Watson, external relations and media manager and David Connor, communications and marketing manager — met with a Golf Digest journalist on-site and gave no hint of what was to follow.

Further to recent communications about works in the area around the Swilcan Bridge, we have released an updated statement below.

The full statement can also be found on our website here: https://t.co/Xo3TXjBD3r pic.twitter.com/ZKCY2qty1j

— St Andrews Links (@TheHomeofGolf) February 6, 2023

“Something had to be done after several years of wear and tear,” insisted Watson at that earlier meeting. “If you think back to last year, we had no play for a month in the run-up to the Open Championship. But even with that break, by October the area we are looking at was a quagmire. We’ve tried a few things over the years. AstroTurf. Rubber rock. Turf seeding. But nothing has really worked. So this is the next step in trying to find a potential solution. This might not end up being the answer, but we are up for trying anything to fix the problem, without actually touching the bridge itself.”

“This is not the finished article,” Watson continued. “We would like to get grass growing through between the stones so that it does look more natural. It is pretty stark right now. But maybe this won’t be what it looks like when we’re done. What we can’t do is put a tent over the bridge and disguise what is going on while we do a bit of work. We’re a public links and at the mercy of someone coming along and taking a picture.”

The post St Andrews Links Trust yields to critics, will remove stonework around Swilcan Bridge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Before the recent stone work was done, Tiger Woods crossed Swilcan Bridge in the second round of the 150th Open Championship in 2022. He famously did not pose for a ‘farewell’ photo. Ross Kinnaird

Take the most iconic bridge in golf, one that has been traversed by nearly all of the game’s greats, from Old Tom Morris to Tiger Woods, and dress it up with stonework that you could buy at Home Depot, and yes, you’re going to get a wee bit of reaction from the golf world.

“Just no. That’s like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa”
“The only thing missing is wrought iron patio furniture”
“Oh. My. God. Who sanctioned this monstrosity?”

The answer to that last rhetorical question, posed from Golf Digest colleague and proud Scotsman John Huggan, is the Royal & Ancient of St Andrews, the 269-year-old club that has set Golf Twitter ablaze now that photos are circulating of a new, roundish stone pad that has been laid on the entry side of Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole of the St Andrews Old Course. As evidenced by videos and photos from December, the work was done at the end of the year.

I was there in December helping open the new Topgolf in Glasgow. Got some good photos but seeing this was kind of like going to Disney World and the castle being under construction. pic.twitter.com/lT9JfT4HPv

— Craig Cox (@craigdcox17) February 4, 2023

Let’s just say it’s not being well received. There are some hilarious responses, including one photo rendering of patio furniture and a barbecue on the site. But there’s genuine disgust, too, as if the R&A slapped a windmill onto the side of its stately clubhouse.

pic.twitter.com/48P31R4PQk

— Kay Ross-Levy ? (@KayRoss96) February 4, 2023

Swilcan Bridge, arched and a mere 30ft-long, is inarguably the most iconic feature on any golf course in the world. In terms of golf bridges, the trio at Augusta National Golf Club — Hogan, Nelson and Sarazan — are very nice, but they’re only about 700 years younger than Swilcan, which was used as a crossing for shepherds and their livestock before golf’s first-ever swing. Shepherds!

Arnold Palmer waves from Swilican Bridge in his last Open Championship appearance in 1995. Fred Vuich

It’s also the most cherished photo “get” in the game, with the stunning background of the stately R&A clubhouse as the backdrop. Since Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have deemed it worthy of a photo stop during their farewells at the Open Championship, golf tourists must have a photo there. (Tiger, it should be noted, caused a stir last summer when he did not stop for a ceremonial photo, signalling to many that he intended to return to St Andrews as a competitor.)

Without any explanation yet from the R&A, we’re left to speculate as to why the pad was necessary, because it just seems so … cheesy. Is it a safety concern, so that photographers don’t get too close to Swilcan Burn? Is it to focus standing near the bridge in one spot? Will it become a wedding venue? Is there anyone who thought this would be aesthetically pleasing?

Anyway, there are people who thinking this is much ado about nothing. Tweeted @itismarkharris: “Golf Twitter being upset about an admittedly horrible remno of the Swilcan Bridge is peak Golf Twitter. It’s just a bridge. Everything is going to be OK.”

Sure, and the Mona Lisa is just another painting.

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