Conference 7.286::golf

    Maybe Calc can out of his doldrums on a big hitters course.
    
    ted

    Anybody know about TV Coverage ?
    
    Jim
    

    
    I think that Norman has a chance, IF he does not shoot one of his
    famous three day tournaments.  If he has that one off day, he may 
    not be around on Sunday.  This is the tournament that after each
    cut (after 2nd and 3rd rounds?) everyone starts over again at 0.
    If Norman has a bad day at the wrong time he is history.  If however
    he is still around on Sunday and does his typical Sunday charge, then
    nobody will be able to touch him.
    
    Others to look for (in order of finish):
    
    Norman
    Faldo (if he plays, doesn't make alot of birds, but does bogey either)
    Stewart
    Nicklaus (I think the start at 0 format will help him)
    

    I believe ESPN has coverage Thursday & Friday while CBS covers it over
    the weekend.  Check your local listings for exact times and stations!
    
    Len

	Nick Faldo has pulled out of the International citing 'wrist stress' as the
	problem.  Needless to say, the tournament director is somewhat skeptical
	considering that Faldo played an exibition match the day after the PGA, in
	Chicago.  Too bad I was looking forward to seeing him play.

        Dale

    
    I was just out there to check things out.  They have moved three tee
    boxes to cut down eagles and birdies. Seventeen ( dogleg par 5) is the 
    traditional scoring hole (eagle possible, birdie likely) and they are
    making it more difficult.
    
    They cut the rough yesterday (compared to Shoal Creek).  Norman was
    hitting 340 yards at the practice range this morning, very straight.
    Although it's mostly a long irons course (very narrow) my money's on
    the shark to repeat.  Only downside, very tough greens...
    
    Jeff
    

    Because the Stableford scoring system puts a premium on subpar holes,
    rather than subpar rounds, rewarding birdies more than it penalizes
    bogeys (at least in this tournament), slashers like Norman and Calca-
    vecchia are more likely to win than grinders like Strange and Kite, who
    shoot steady, par golf, with a few birds and very few bogeys. I'd say
    Greg has a good chance to repeat, but watch out for Calc!
    
    	Frank

    
    Major change from last year is that rounds 1-3 are cumulative,
    finalists start all even on Sunday. You'll see more conservative play
    until Sunday, then WATCH OUT!.
    
    Thunderstorms are predicted for this afternoon, it may affect the late
    rounds. There have been few complaints (except for pin placements), the
    course is in perfect shape.
    
     Also, as you'll see if you watch TV, there are many elevated tee boxes at
    Castle Pines (like the 644 yard, par 5 number 1 hole) and with the
    thinner air, the ball goes a mile.  For a 644 yard hole, for example,
    Norman hit a driver, then a 4 iron to the green yesterday. 
    
    I wish I could do that.
    

    This tournament is aptly named some of the best in the world except
    the US best.none of the following to be found yesterday::
    
    Strange,Gamez,nicklaus,Trevino,Kite,azinger,couples,levi.
    
    
    Why is this I wonder??


    Ted
       
    P.S What scrap heep did they drag Dave Eichleberger out of.He looks
    about 80.
    

    Nicklaus is there.  Ended yesterdays opening round with 0 points (tied
    with Norman).  Trevino is (probably) back with the 'round bellies'. 
    But you're right.  I didn't see Strange, Kite, the 'Zinger or Levi. 
    Couples, who I thought would have a legit chance to win this one,
    probably went home to Florida to relax.  Just read an article on him in
    Golf Mag in which he stated he doesn't like to play golf in the heat or
    if it's not fun.  I think last week was too hot for him plus, I'm sure he 
    didn't have much fun missing those putts.  
    
    Len

Wednesday I took a day off and went to see the Pro-Am. Boy, most of those 
amateurs were hacking big time (but that's a whole 'nother story)! Anyway, 
I grabbed a Castle Pines scorecard and thought you might want to see it:

                       Green    |   Tee Distance to Middle of Green (yds)
Hole  Par  Handicap  Depth(yds) |  Front   Middle   Back   Way Back  Pros
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1      5       9         36         454      506     600      644     644
2      4      13         36         276      329     379      408     408
3      4       5         35         307      352     413      452     462
4      3      15         40         117      149     171      205     205
5      4       1         21         330      349     393      477     477
6      4       7         35         341      358     380      417     417
7      3      17         40         100      121     145      185     185
8      5      11         34         445      479     507      535     535
9      4       3         33         333      350     431      458     458
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out   36                           2703     2993    3419     3781    3791

10     4       2         32         370      400     460      485     485
11     3      18         34         140      171     186      197     197
12     4       4         35         325      331     382      422     440
13     4      10         29         313      346     394      439     439
14     5      12         30         449      467     550      595     623
15     4      14         43         274      302     355      403     403
16     3       8         33         140      165     188      209     209
17     5      16         29         351      436     470      492     492
18     4       6         23         317      361     430      480     480
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In    36                           2679     2979    3415     3722    3768

Total 72                           5382     5972    6834     7503    7559


The course is excellent condition. The fairways and greens are immaculate.
I can see why "Golf" magazine had it rated as the #1 course in Colorado.
If some of the holes look unusually short (like #2 and #6) it's because 
they're either uphill or have narrow greens. The real long holes are all
downhill.

The rough is cut about 3" long which for the amateurs was causing a lot 
of problems but the pro's seemed to be doing OK out of it. On #13 I saw 
Jack Nicklaus hit a tree and the ball dropped straight down into the 
rough about 260 yds. out. For his second shot he hit a wood (I couldn't tell 
which one) about pin high but left of the green.

    re:  <<< Note 1049.3 by CHRLIE::HUSTON >>>
    
    In this mornings paper, Payne Stewart said he didn't want to play in
    high altitude tournaments because he would have to adjust his game
    (supposedly you get 15-20% more carry per club).  In response, Norman
    said you don't need to adjust, just get a caddie with a calculater.

    I'm going up tomorrow, I'll be the guy in the white Titleist visor.
    :-)
    
         +- Mark

    Didn't get to watch too much of the tournament yesterday, but did manage
    to catch the end and Gallagher's double eagle (just a easy 209 yard 5
    iron).  Then I hear the announcers mention another and I read in the paper
    that Steve Pate holed a 238 yards 2 iron (!) on the 8th hole. Unbelievable!
    What a thrill that must be to hole out from so far.  Kind of reminded
    me of Gamez' shot at the Nestle, and that was JUST an eagle.  Anyone
    experienced that thrill before?  Only a hole in one would top it.  My 
    furthest shot (I can remember) was probably from 20 feet off the green.  
    Oh, by the way, Davis Love III won the tournament with 14 points, but
    not before Romero's sand shot on 18 rolled just over the lip of the
    cup.  That, if it had gone in, would have forced a playoff.
    
    Thoughts on the format?  I like it.  It's different.  I just hope
    they've finally settled on how and when they cut and whether or not
    points are carried over.  It seems they changed it every year for a
    while.  I think they have it right now.
    
    Len

    The thing I didn't understand was the prize money after the third
    round.If I caught it right they gave it to the players with the
    best round that day. If that was the case That is stupid they shoould
    either:
    
    a) give it to the best player EACH day
    
    or
    
    b) give it to the guy with the best three round score(my preference)
    
    Ted

       I think the payoff after the round is considered bonus money.
    Kind of like a daily shootout along with the regular tourney.
    After all, Davis Love III won $180,000 for the victory.
    
    Mad Hacker