Craig Barlow, 1994 SNGA Player of the Year, continues to share his 2024 U.S. Senior Open Journey with us. Also, you can read a story with Craig and his love affair with Newport Country Club here.
“On Wednesday before the first round, I played 9 holes at 7:52 with Kent Jones,” Barlow said. “The course played tough again. Wind is a huge factor for this course. When it’s not windy, it’s gettable. When it’s windy, we will hold on for dear life. I’m playing well, but just need to be aware to not swing harder into the wind. When I do, I’m hitting small Pulls. I am starting to feel the pressure and tournament jitters, so that means it’s close to starting. Tomorrow my goal will be to be grateful for every situation and continue to Have FUN. I catch myself wanting to care and try too hard. I am constantly pulling myself back.”
Barlow will continue to report back throughout the week. The event is June 27-20 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. In 2023, Barlow shared his journey from qualifier to his tied for 14th finish that earned him a trip back to the U.S. Senior Open in 2024.
Here is a link to the first post from Monday, June 25
Here is a link to the second post from Tuesday, June 26
From USGA Story:
During his halcyon days on the PGA Tour, Craig Barlow would often sneak away on the Wednesday before the Travelers Championship (formerly Greater Hartford Open) and make the two-hour-plus drive to Newport Country Club.
While that might seem like an odd detour, the historic venue was a layout the Henderson, Nev., native first fell in love with as a competitor in the 1995 U.S. Amateur because it reminded him of his favorite place on the planet, Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links. Fellow tour pro and Newport member P.H. Horgan III was his conduit to playing this private enclave and Barlow never could get enough.
Yes, the course was special with its links-style characteristics, but the massive nearby mansions facing the ocean, fresh air and the area’s rich history from golf to the America’s Cup yacht races and playground for the country’s aristocrats, made it a respite from the everyday mundane nature of the PGA Tour.
So, when the USGA announced it was rescheduling the U.S. Senior Open at Newport for 2024 – it was supposed to host in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic intervened – Barlow was overjoyed. Having recently turned 50, he wouldn’t have been eligible four years ago.
“When I saw it on the [USGA championship] schedule, I put my blinders on and told myself ‘I’ve got to get there,’” said the 51-year-old Barlow. “In my opinion, this is the way golf is meant to be played. It’s not manufactured.”
