What greater thrill than hoisting the sterling silver Claret Jug, presented to the champion, at the acknowledged home of golf. The conditions and traditions this golf course has, and the history behind it. Winning feeling There is no more stirring sight in all of sport than the approach to the final hole the last day of a British Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews. The leaders stride purposefully over the Swilken Burn Bridge, where golfing greats such as Arnold Palmer have bid their British Open goodbyes to appreciative fans. Golfers are funneled toward green grandstands filled with thousands of fired-up fans.
Cheers build to a crescendo.
Medieval buildings of ancient St. Andrews beckon. Hamilton Hall, which belongs to St. Andrews University, towers behind the grandstands at the far edge of the 18th green. The Links Road, a little lane parallel to the 18th fairway on the right, runs just in front of a row of old buildings built with blocks of gray Scottish granite. Spectators watch from crowded windows at Rusacks Hotel, whose sign is emblazoned in gold letters on the side of the building. Once the leaders pass Rusacks, they come abreast of Walden House and St. Rule's Club as they near the 18th green.