Merion's Red Baskets

When the 2013 U.S. Open golf tournament tees it up at historic Merion Golf Club on Thursday, something will be very different from every other course hosting one of golf's four majors.  There won't be any flags.  Instead, atop every hole's flag pole there will be a red wicker basket that looks like a teardrop, or egg.

According to NY Times reporter Bill Pennington there are all kinds of legends or stories about the wicker baskets, but no one seems to know exactly how it really came about.  One story had the course designer, Hugh Wilson visiting the American ambassador to England and getting the idea after seeing flower pots atop poles on a putting green at the ambassador's home.  Historians have disproved the story because there is no record of Wilson being in England, or traveling abroad before Merion opened in 1912.  Pennington cites the course's archives from 1915 for some insight.  The course's superintendent at the time applied for and received federal patents for the wicker baskets also known as "wickers".  It is known that many courses in the British Isles used the baskets in the mid 1800's.

Regardless of the real story, Merion is different.  The "wickers" will adorn every hole at America's golf championship and every player will have to deal with it.  For non-golfers the golf flag is an important guide for club selection because you can gauge the wind at the hole which may affect the outcome of your shot.  Caddies and players alike will be on equal footing as everyone copes with trying to read the winds of pending shots.

Tradition is not always a bad thing.  The "wickers" like Augusta's azaleas are simply a unique feature of Merion.  Some courses do it with different kinds of tee box markers, course layout, or menu items from the concession stands.  Each seems to have its own signature that sets it apart from other courses.

As I've gotten older I have come to appreciate tradition.  Think about some of our traditions:

• Singing the National Anthem before a sporting event
• Singing "Take Me Out to the Ballpark" at Wrigley Field during the 7th inning stretch
• Clemson's football team rubbing the rock and running down the hill
• SC's mascot Cocky entering with the band playing the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey
• The words of Jesus, or the Apostle Paul before communion is served in worship
• Removing a hat during prayer, or the singing of the National Anthem
• 21 gun salute at a military funeral
• NASCAR race winners doing burnouts after they've won
• Indy 500 winner drinking a jug of milk
• Fireworks on the 4th of July

Traditions usually have a great beginning.  We shouldn't make them sacred cows, but we should also respect and honor them.  What traditions are you honoring?  What traditions make no sense?  One of our family traditions is to read the birth narrative about Christ, from Luke 2 before we exchange gifts at Christmas.  What family traditions are unique to your family?  

When you watch the U.S. Open this weekend remember that we all have little red baskets in our family, churches, and businesses.  Celebrate them!