Merion Today

[George Pazin]

Yep, he's Tway's son.

Tony -

It would take more volunteers than they have to coordinate scoring updates more frequently, I'm guessing. I think there are over 300 qualifiers, aren't there?

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Are they using the very back tees on 18?  What do you think they're hitting into that green?  

[JSlonis]

I'm pretty astounded at these scores.

Today in Philly is near perfect, weather-wise, with a high in the upper 80s, low-humidity, and 5-10mph winds after a steamy, damp weekend.

Can you imagine a windy day?  

Mike,

I agree 100%. One reason I could give for the high scoring is that the majority of players from across the country have simply not played a course like Merion before. One practice round is not enough to get a great feel for it either. The total "card yardage" at Merion means very little.  Perhaps these kids who play in the south or out west are having real difficulty adjusting their games to Merion.  Living in this area, and competing on the courses in Philly, North Jersey, Metro NY/LI, we are used to playing this style of course.  The best players will adjust to any conditions, it is going to be fun viewing.

The pressure of the US Am is very high to begin with, when you add the difficulties of Merion to the mix, you are going to get some high scores.

I'll be heading to Merion tomorrow morning to check out the play.  It'll be interesting to see the setup and hole locations.

[Mike_Cirba]

With about 15 contestants still on the course;

1 - Even
3 - +1
1 - +2
3 - +3
6 - +4
4 - +5
10 - +6
3 - +7
7 - +8
5 - +9
5 - +10
4 - +11
4 - +12
2 - +13
2 - +14
3 - +15
1 - +16
1 - +17

Any statisticians out there come up with a quick scoring avg?

[JSlonis]

With about 15 contestants still on the course;

1 - Even
3 - +1
1 - +2
3 - +3
6 - +4
4 - +5
10 - +6
3 - +7
7 - +8
5 - +9
5 - +10
4 - +11
4 - +12
2 - +13
2 - +14
3 - +15
1 - +16
1 - +17

Any statisticians out there come up with a quick scoring avg?

Based on your above scores, the stroke average thus far is:

76.75  

[PThomas]

wow!  

do you in the know think it will play evern harder if it dries out?

[JESII]

wow!  

do you in the know think it will play evern harder if it dries out?

I'm sure many/most courses fit the following criteria, Merion becomes exponentially more difficult as it gets firmer.

The fairways all seem to slope at least little so they naturally shrink up dramatically, and the greens become much more difficult to recover to when firm.

Could be really interesting as the week evolves. Unfortunately, I think it would have been preferrable (to the powers at Merion) for the stroke play portion to play real firm and fast.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

I am with Jamie on this .
Having had the good fortune to play in several Wilson events, I know how friggin tough that course is with a card in your back pocket..even if it is fairly soft.
At the Wilson the course is always fast running and simply a brute..but the most gorgeaous and delightful brute there is

No surprises from me on the scoring, in fact I told the local kids who qualified from my site, that the stroke average at Merion would be in excess of 77..when I told then that was 7 over ..of course their young minds told me what I was full of

Merion is quite simply a great great golf course, which is to be treated with very much respect...or else.

[Mike_Cirba]

Play (or should I say "carnage" is almost over for the day at Merion);

1 - -1
2 - Even
3 - +1
2 - +2
3 - +3
6 - +4
6 - +5
11 - +6
4 - +7
7 - +8
6 - +9
8 - +10
5 - +11
5 - +12
2 - +13
2 - +14
3 - +15
1 - +16
1 - +17

[Kyle Harris]

How is Philly Country playing?

[JESII]

Play (or should I say "carnage" is almost over for the day at Merion);

1 - -1
2 - Even
3 - +1
2 - +2
3 - +3
6 - +4
6 - +5
11 - +6
4 - +7
7 - +8
6 - +9
8 - +10
5 - +11
5 - +12
2 - +13
2 - +14
3 - +15
1 - +16
1 - +17

Only halfway Mike, there are another 78 playing this afternoon.

Kyle,

The scores are not as high as at Merion, but the course is certainly standing up well. The predictions from a few weeks ago of a 10 over par playoff for match play might not be too far off. I would bet on 7 or 8 over myself after looking at the scoring from this morning a bit.

[Mike_Cirba]

Sully,

Yes....Duh on me!  

Seems to be some breeze blowing out my window, so I'm betting the courses won't get any easier, although someone fired -5 on the back nine at PCC, I see.

Although, conversely, pity poor Nick Chauvenet who shot 48 on the front side at Merion with a 9 on the drive and pitch starting hole.  

[fred ruttenberg]

Merion is not using the back tee on 18 for aualifying but will be using it for match play.

[Mike_Cirba]

Also, Luke List, last year's finalist at Winged Foot, shot 80 at Merion today.

[JESII]

I did see those low nines at Philly. -5 is pretty good anywhere so well done. I must admit I expected a few scores in the mid 60's there so we'll see.

How about Luke List? +6 on his first three holes at Merion. It can happen to anyone I guess.

Fred,

Thanks for that update re: #18, I was curious. I guess pace of play is the driving force on that decision and it seems a good one. Still an awesome hole to try and par.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Does anybody have a carry yardage from that back tee?
When I played last year into a breeze, it appeared that it would be too far for shorter hitters like myself to make the fairway.
Have they taken away the 10 yards of rough at the top of the hill prior to reaching the fairway?
THANKS...boy I wish I was there

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

How about some info on any "lovely" pin positions that they have for the qualifying porions.

[Jim Nugent]

I did see those low nines at Philly. -5 is pretty good anywhere so well done. I must admit I expected a few scores in the mid 60's there so we'll see.

How about Luke List? +6 on his first three holes at Merion. It can happen to anyone I guess.

Fred,

Thanks for that update re: #18, I was curious. I guess pace of play is the driving force on that decision and it seems a good one. Still an awesome hole to try and par.

I think List did not make it to match play at the APL this year.  Having a rough summer.  

[Mike_Cirba]

Well...seems as though afternoon play isn't getting much better...

After nine holes, two guys at Merion are a +9, 1 is at +11, 2 are at +12, and 1 is at +13.  

 

[wsmorrison]

I just left Merion and one guy from Bend, Oregon shot 69.  Most scores are in the mid to upper 70s.  The course is firming up since this morning and if the weather sticks to the forecast, I think we're gonna see the course play firm and fast.  

[peter_p]

TEP's protegee John Hurley is +6 at the turn.

[JSlonis]

My good friend Austin Eaton(2004 US Mid-Am Champ) shot 71 at Philly CC today.  He plays early tomorrow at Merion.  The guy he beat in last year's US Mid-Am Final didn't fair so well...88 at Merion today.

[Bob_Huntley]

TEP's protegee John Hurley is +6 at the turn.

Tom,

Is that the young man we saw at Wild Horse?

Bob

[peter_p]

Bob,
Yes, from TE's earlier posts on another thread.

[Fred_C.]

Folks,

I was at Merion today, too, and here are some thoughts:

First, the course looks spectacular.  The bunker work generally has won me over (see below for reservations).  I think it looks better than before.  The tree removal was brilliant, too, especially the clearing out they did around 17 green (again, some reservations below).  In short, the place looks stunning.  I was staggering around the place!

Second, certain areas are just claustrophobic:  the menagerie of humanity around 18 green, the practice greens, the pro shop, 1 tee, and 14 tee was too much--and it's only Monday of the Amateur.  Likewise, the scene in the left rough on 10, 5 tee, 2 tee, and 10 green was chaotic.  Also, 3 tee, 6 tee, and 2 green were jammed.

Third, holy slow play!  Too many guys are taking too long to play.  One caddie today (quietly) was complaining about his own man.  The group I followed played in 5 hrs. 20 minutes.  That's too long.

Fourth, club selection: On 5, I saw lots of driver/3 iron.  On 10, I saw a mix of 3/5 metal or iron.  I saw one player drive 10 with a 3 metal, but most were playing to a half wedge distance.  I couldn't see selection on 14, but that hole was playing tough today.  16 saw most players with about 115 yds. to the hole (back left today).  17 looked impossible.  At 246, though, many players were hole high with irons--shocking!  I just read they were NOT using the back tee at 18!?  Are you telling me there's a tee ACROSS the service road?  Holy insanity!  I do know that 3-5 irons were hit on the second shots there.

Fifth, I saw Nick Chauvenet play 1 today.  His nine inlcuded a topped drive, a lay up to 80 yards, a thinned chip across Golf House Road, a chunked re-hit, a pitch, and a three putt.  It was a train wreck in slow motion; I felt for the lad.

Sixth, questions/comments:  Why do only 5 and 14 have the extended shaved areas around their greens (5 to the right, and 14 to the left)?  Could that set-up be used elsewhere on the course, too?  Why not open up the right side of 6 fairway more, allowing more fairway where there is rough?  The rough up the right side just looks useless.  I know the 1930 plan calls for bunkers in front of 4 green, but that green could gain some more interest if the green were brought right up to the creek.  Why not trim some trees between 6/7 and 4/5?

Seventh, I'm still jacked-up from the day, and I can't wait to see the weekend play!  I commend the staff there for showing Merion's best!

Best,

Fred Chandler