Will We Ever See a Public Links Event Again?

[HenryReardon]

As an avid amateur player/competitor without a private club membership, I loved the Pub Links concept. Unfortunately, my introduction into the game coincided with the sunsetting of the event. From what I remember and have read, the USGA's stance was to promote the four-ball championship. Curious if anyone ever played in it to share a story, and if anyone thinks theres a case for the event ever coming back. 

[Abh159]

I highly doubt they bring it back. It always seemed like it was sort of the ugly stepchild of the USGA's championships. Plus, if I remember correctly their "qualifying" criteria had some loopholes that people could exploit. Specifically college players who basically had 24/7 access to their own course, but could still enter the pub links because they weren't technically a "member". 

 

I was never able to play since my family had a membership at a private club. However, a really good friend of mine who I played a lot with growing up (he later made it onto the PGA Tour) was a semifinalist one year. He said it was a good event, but it didn't even hold a candle to the US Am or even US Jr Am in terms of the quality of players or prestige. 

[HenryReardon]

6 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

I highly doubt they bring it back. It always seemed like it was sort of the ugly stepchild of the USGA's championships. Plus, if I remember correctly their "qualifying" criteria had some loopholes that people could exploit. Specifically college players who basically had 24/7 access to their own course, but could still enter the pub links because they weren't technically a "member". 

 

I was never able to play since my family had a membership at a private club. However, a really good friend of mine who I played a lot with growing up (he later made it onto the PGA Tour) was a semifinalist one year. He said it was a good event, but it didn't even hold a candle to the US Am or even US Jr Am in terms of the quality of players or prestige. 

Interesting, thanks for sharing here. Especially interesting to hear how it felt to be there. Thanks!

[ChipNRun]

On 4/13/2023 at 2:11 PM, Abh159 said:

I highly doubt they bring it back. It always seemed like it was sort of the ugly stepchild of the USGA's championships. Plus, if I remember correctly their "qualifying" criteria had some loopholes that people could exploit. Specifically college players who basically had 24/7 access to their own course, but could still enter the pub links because they weren't technically a "member"

 

PubLinks might come back if USGA used it strictly as a Mid-Amateur type event: Players have to be 25 years of age or older to block out the "semi-pro" college players.