Q: The stone bridge at St. Andrews golf course, site of this year’s British Open, seems like a significant landmark. How old is it? What is its history? Also, is it often so windy there, with 35-40 mph gusts that suspended play?
—Frank Manfre, Grayson
A: Swilcan Bridge is believed to have been built more than 700 years ago to help shepherds move their flocks across Swilcan Burn, a stream that runs through the Old Course.
The bridge on the 18th hole is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s signature landmark, but locals once used it to hang their laundry out to dry.
It is one of the favorite places for golfers and fans to pose for photos.
Unpredictable winds are one of the course’s main defenses.
“It’s a golf course where you can have four, five, six different wind directions,” golfer Louis Oosthuizen told The Wall Street Journal last week. “You can have two, three different wind directions in one day.”
Q: Hundreds of thousands of women who are Hillary Clinton’s age have volunteered and served in the U.S. military. Is there a statement in Hillary Clinton’s biographical info as to why she didn’t volunteer for military service?
—Jeff Christian, Peachtree City
A: Clinton said in 1994 that she looked into joining the Marines in 1975, when she was a law professor at the University of Arkansas. She was 27 and had just married Bill Clinton.
The recruiter blew her off, she said.
“You’re too old, you can’t see and you’re a woman,” Clinton said. “It was not a very encouraging conversation. I decided maybe I’ll look for another way to serve my country.”
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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