+1 for a real VUSO equivalent with UEL, or at the very least a high-profile WGT Nation UEL event as we had last year with Merion.
The VUSO is commonly regarded here on WGT as the premier test of the best players. The purpose IMO should be to find out who can cope with the closest approximation of US Open conditions. It's baffling to me why Uneven Lies has not already become part of that test, as it places a real premium on finding fairways and greens.
But, if UEL is kept out of such a top-level tournament (and let's be honest, it's got to be about ball use and maximum participation rather than setting the most difficult challenge), please don't further marginalize UEL tourneys by associating them only with crazy green speeds etc.
Yes, those crazy conditions tourneys are fun... but UEL isn't crazy. It's how the game should be, in many people's opinion here. Even if it's not entirely realistic (which is debatable), it's far more realistic than getting a perfect flat lie on every fairway, every patch of rough, and every bunker.
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Icon, if you want an event @ Pinehurst where over par might win, why not make it a Starter Clubs-only event. You now have the capacity to set up restricted equipment events, and there's a regular call from the community to have level-playing field competitions. Pinehurst is actually playable from the tips with starters, so you could even have a 4-round event using each set of tees for one of the rounds.
Ideally, it would be starter balls required too, so everyone was using the same gear, but another alternative (which would bring in some ball income to WGT) is to require use of the sponsor's Lexus ball (with its very limited attributes). You could provide a few balls free on tournament entry so everyone could play the event without necessarily having to buy any, and modify the number of rounds to make it work, e.g. 3 round event, 1st round unlimited. Anyone wanting to improve their 1st round score would have the option to purchase more balls.