[Phil Benedict]

Next June a foursome consisting of 3 celebrities and an unknown will play a televised round at Torrey Pines in the US Open setup.  The genesis of the show was Tiger's statement that a 10-handicapper wouldn't break 100 at Oakmont as it was set up for the Open.  Some writer in LA picked up on the comment, and pitched the idea for the show to the USGA via Golf Digest.  David Fay thinks it will be educational and fun.

Celebrities are yet to be identified.  

[Tom_Doak]

We need to get a betting pool going on this one once the celebrities and their handicaps are identified.

[Joe Bausch]

Here are more details on the event, an article from the NYTimes:

http://tinyurl.com/2yzhno

[jeffwarne]

Average golfers aren't 10's.

The 10's will shoot 115.
The 18's will shoot 135.

Although celebrities who've played pro-am golf might fare better

[Sam Morrow]

This is one of those things that I hope never gets off the ground, I just can't get with the idea of some celeb hacks chopping it around Torrey Pines.

[Phil_the_Author]

Actually this is not something new. In May of 2002, Roger Maltbie, in preparation for Open coverage, played a round with 3 bethpage regulars of varying skills. I had both the leasure of walking around with them and writing a chapter about it in my book Golf's Finest Hour.

Anyone who'd like to see the chapter can send me a message and I'll email it to them.

[Sam Morrow]

Actually this is not something new. In May of 2002, Roger Maltbie, in preparation for Open coverage, played a round with 3 bethpage regulars of varying skills. I had both the leasure of walking around with them and writing a chapter about it in my book Golf's Finest Hour.

Anyone who'd like to see the chapter can send me a message and I'll email it to them.

Actually 3 regulars is something that would interest me. I am sick and tired of everytime I turn on golf I am subjected to Kevin James, Ray Romano, and Justin Timberlake. Though that said I did recently read the celebs edition of Golf for Woman with Angie Everhart on the cover.

[Matthew Hunt]

In the Walker Cup at Royal County which I believe it is rated by USGA as 75 144 the estimated average for the Par 71 of around 73 which would lead for an Average 4-round total of +8 in a very high quality field which shows it is NEARLY ‘US Pen tough’. Compare this with the Club Championship at my club which was in Gail force off the back sticks. The winner shoot 73 and about 2/3 brook 100 with the Average Handicap about 8. So think there will be one or two of the four will break 100. I fact given a couple of days practice I think I (a 23 Handicap) could break it, so if GD want to give me the extra place .

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Matthew,

What does "US tough" mean?  RCD can play as difficult as any course stateside in my opinion.  Also, while I'd love to watch you out there at Torrey, I'll take the over.  I do agree with Sam that it would be more fun to watch players like you or me try rather than some 'celebrity'.

[jeffwarne]

Michael.
If the average players were from Royal County Down or another club where the players were used to dealing with wind and high rough,they'd have a fair chance, but I'd doubt it unless they regularly played the back tees, which I doubt is allowed at RCD.

but 99% aren't used to difficult courses, to say nothing of the "ego" handicap factor.

and add in the 7600 yard course -giving them apmle opportunities to hit a second shot into the schmoo, even if their drive is successful.

[Sam Morrow]

Matthew,

What does "US tough" mean?  RCD can play as difficult as any course stateside in my opinion.  Also, while I'd love to watch you out there at Torrey, I'll take the over.  I do agree with Sam that it would be more fun to watch players like you or me try rather than some 'celebrity'.

Kyle you are the only celebrity I want to watch play Torrey.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Matthew,

What does "US tough" mean?  RCD can play as difficult as any course stateside in my opinion.  Also, while I'd love to watch you out there at Torrey, I'll take the over.  I do agree with Sam that it would be more fun to watch players like you or me try rather than some 'celebrity'.

Kyle you are the only celebrity I want to watch play Torrey.

At least the days are long that time of year so I would have a chance of finishing before sunset.

[Garland Bayley]

Average golfers aren't 10's.

The 10's will shoot 115.
The 18's will shoot 135.

Although celebrities who've played pro-am golf might fare better

As George Pazin would say
"I know Oakmont. I have written about Oakmont. Oakmont is my favorite. And, I can assure you, Torrey Pines is no Oakmont!"

[Norbert P]

This is one of those things that I hope never gets off the ground, I just can't get with the idea of some celeb hacks chopping it around Torrey Pines.

 I kinda like the idea and hope they have a variance of handicaps, though 4 players is hardly a large enough segment to have any scientific "experimental" value it would be interesting.  How do I get to play in this thing? And don't say 'Practice', as that rotten banana smell is forever in my bag.

And Torrey Pines is no sacred place to worry about its  disfigurement. Heck, maybe it'd give the place some character.  

[Matthew Hunt]

Kyle, I Meant 'US Open tough' and if there was USGA set-up on the course the winning score would be about 300. Jeff due to nature of the British handicaps its hard to get an ego handicap.

[Matt_Cohn]

I think Jeff is right on.

[jeffwarne]

Matt,
That's my point.
The US is littered with ego handicaps.
A UK 10 beats a US 10 every time, and KILLS him if his home course is as challenging as RCD

[Joel_Stewart]

The US is littered with ego handicaps.
A UK 10 beats a US 10 every time, and KILLS him if his home course is as challenging as RCD

Not in all cases.  You take a 10 from Oakmont, Shinnecock, Olympic or Winged Foot (which for the sake of argument are equal to RCD) and then you have a game.  I've hosted many players with low handicaps at my club and they didn't break 80.

[W.H. Cosgrove]

This is a celebrity event.  I thought NBC might have the courage to really get some regular joes to play.  

Like two foursomes, one celebrity in each.  A single digit, a 10-15, and a higher.  Play off for a honey pot for charity.  

The way they have it now its just another BS event.  

NOW WHERE DO I ENTER!

[jeffwarne]

Joel.
You're right.
That's the fallacy of the handicap syetem.
The really tough course guy usually wins.
Slope and CR aren't great enough equalizers

[Ryan Farrow]

I shot a 45 on the back 9 at Oakmont and I'm an 18 handicap when  Not to mention the greens were rolling faster than they were during the open. I think Tiger would loose that bet.

[Kyle Harris]

I shot a 45 on the back 9 at Oakmont and I'm an 18 handicap when  Not to mention the greens were rolling faster than they were during the open. I think Tiger would loose that bet.

Open hole locations? Open rough? Come on Ryan...  

[jeffwarne]

How about the front Ryan?
Back tees?

[Norbert P]

I shot a 45 on the back 9 at Oakmont and I'm an 18 handicap when  Not to mention the greens were rolling faster than they were during the open. I think Tiger would loose that bet.

Open hole locations? Open rough?

 Back tees?  Did you party the night before with Willy Mackenzie? - (His girlfriend is hotter than a $2 pistol)

  Personally, A viewing gallery off of every shot and having a camera on me would give me an aneurism.

[Jordan Wall]

Ryan,

I think it also helped that you knew the course better than most.  An 'average' 18 handicap has never seen Oakmont.  Being that you were there everyday, I'd say you had a big advantage by knowing and understanding the course.  However, I dont doubt that it is definitely possible for a 10 or even an 18 to break 100 on a course with US Open set up.

And I'd take Dennis Quaid playing at a 2 to not break 100, btw...

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