Golf on the National Mall in Washington is unique opportunity for all golfers

Golf on the National Mall in Washington? Yes, but for only two weeks: June 25-29 and July 2-6 2003, and on only one hole! The Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States, as part of its annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival promotes understanding of domestic and international folk customs, crafts and heritage.

This year Scotland is a featured country, and so are golf and the ancient craft of wood shaft golf club making. To this end, a replica Scottish links type golf hole has been built on the National Mall complete with a deep sod wall green bunker, and a roadway. (Any guesses as to which hole was mimicked?)

The golf hole is only about 40 yards long, but it has three menacing sod wall bunkers some 4 to 6 feet deep. It also features a devilish 1,500 square foot green, and lots of humps and hollows. If you haven't figured it out by now, the hole is a loose copy of the famous "Road Hole" at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. Golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan of Hurdzan/Fry Architects in Columbus, Ohio designed it, and Landscapes Unlimited of Lincoln, Nebraska built it. Both companies generously donated their services to the Smithsonian.

This very playable golf hole is the perfect backdrop for an authentic fourth generation Scottish club maker, Barry Kerr of Heritage Golf in St. Andrews, Scotland to ply his trade. Kerr will be making wood shaft clubs, and demonstrating how to play golf shots with them during the festival. Heritage Golf is known worldwide for their handmade golf clubs reminiscent of those made and used over a century ago.

After the festival the golf hole will be removed and the National Mall will return to normal. It's quite a sight to stand on the golf green and see the Washington Monument in one direction, and the Capitol building on the other. This is a truly unique photo opportunity for all die-hard golfers, and non-golfers alike.