I've played MVGC the week before the tourney each year for the past three.
they don't use the rakes for member play-they use the std short-toothed rakes with a round top the other 51 weeks per year.
but in 2006 and 2007, they furrowed the bunkers on the day i played.
I thought 2006 was perfect greenside, and maybe a little too penal in the fairway bunkers. Interestingly, the bunkers were very firm in 2006 and the furrows sort of layed on top of a hard base. The lies were ranom. some could be controlled, some not. Fairway bunkers were a penalty--tough/impossible to make contact with the ball first.
2007 was no penalty at all, but the bunkers were turned so the sand was fluffy
course wasnt furrowed when i played this year but i hung around for the monday practice round. seemed like players had no trouble greenside-ball sat 1/3 down in the furrow.. They all were turned the night before the tourney, but nowhere have i ever found sand that was more consistent, or that produced a firm lie like MVGC. Fairway bunkers were raked toward the green, and they looked like a penalty, but nothing like 2006.
Rough this year is minimum 4.5 inches and thick. Any place the mower couln't get a clean cut will be longer. Oakmont last year had nothing MVGC doesnt have this week. i'd be aiming for the bunkers. Curious to hear from anyone who has watched the telecast, because that that rough looked like pitch out quality (quantity?) to me.