Dennis,
Now that the stroke play portion tournament is being held over two courses, was/is there any thought given to increasing the size of the field? We played 156 last year the first two days at Poppy Hills and that remained the same this year despite having two courses available. I'm just assuming the plan going forward is to always have two courses, given next year's plan to use two separate courses.
Increasing the field size would mean taking up more of the host club's resources and longer days for all the volunteers and staff running the event (thank you for your involvement by the way, the tournament was very well run), but it would also give more players the opportunity to compete for our state championship.
Andrew-- Its a problem of daylight, logistics and acceptablity to club members-
What we are striving for is consistency in the format (which was not always true if you are familiar with our yearly negotiations with Pebble)-- we want to retain the two day qualifying, then 32 qualifiers into match play on an annual basis--
Even with that format, the available venues are smaller than you think (Its getting like the US OPEN--the quality of the course is only one of about 15 criteria, and often it isn't even the most important)-- I was going to post a topic of whether this type of event (stroke qualifying then match play) can effectively be held at a facility of less than 36 holes-
MPCC is perfect with two great courses and a willing membership allowing us both courses-- Still, if you followed the playoff there was not an abundance of daylight when it was completed on Tues-- and our times were "locked in" Weds meaning we could not carry the playoffs over to Weds AM-
We are qualifying with two courses, starting on both nines, with a 7:30 am start (which the course requires to insure course is prepared) and a slightly after 5 pm finish for the last groups teeing off at noon--
Where do you put additional players?
I hate to raise it but I am losing sleep already if the "perfect storm" hits next year-- We may have players finishing at 5pm plus at Oakmont who are in a playoff at Lakeside-- Although they are less than 20 miles apart, that is gridlock time on the LA freeways-- How long does it take to pack up equipment and drive to Lakeside at 5:15 to 5:30 in LA rush traffic? Then give the players enough time to unload, hit a few practice balls and start the playoff? Do we have enough time before dark? Do we light the last green with headlights? Do we ask northern players to add one night to the hotel and adjust flights to return for one possible hole the next morning?
The mind boogles!
Its issues like these that severly limit the number of venues, even in California, that can handle such an event if we maintain the "full field" of 156- Some of those courses mentioned don't have the housing, the proximity to another course, the willing membership who without 36 holes is willing to give up the course for at least 3 or 4 days (membership play is hardly restricted when you reach the quarters)-