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What am I missing about Hazeltine that the PGA of America keeps seeing?
Matt_Ward:
Guys:
Let's be clear -- Hazeltine is not a top tier layout in terms of pure design elements -- to the tune of Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont, Pebble Beach, etc, etc.
I would not place it among the second tier of gems either with such places as OH/S, WF/W or even Bethpage Black.
It's more in line with places like Congressional, Medinah and others of this type.
It does offer a solid test and will not tolerate half-ass play. The location is a good one as I previously mentioned because the local folks LOVE golf to the max. The PGA has to its considerable advantage a proven site in terms of actual logistics and being able to host a major event of this type. Rees Jones also fine tuned a few elements -- the 16th is, for me at least, one of the finest mid-length par-4's you can play in the States and it's one heavily talked about hole that lives up to the considerable hype.
Hazeltine is a solid layout in terms of providing a quality test but anyone making the leap off the high building ledge to believe that it's overall design is worthy of top 100 status is sipping some strong kool-aid. I don't have scorn for the layout because the people in the area are some of the finest and nicest you can ever meet. Hazeltine gives the PGA a proven reliable site -- it's not love for sure but it's clearly a good one given the clear needs for high level championship play.
Jay Flemma:
--- Quote from: Ryan Potts on July 01, 2009, 09:25:03 PM ---
--- Quote from: Jay Flemma on July 01, 2009, 09:07:03 AM ---
I intend to let fly at Medinah in my PGA Championship preview as well as point out the shortcomings of HazNat. There are a lot of similarities on several levels. I'll partly let fly because I want to use the pieces I write to promote GCA, and partly because I think Medinah makes itself an easy, funny target, and partly because a lot of other writers feel the same way.
--- End quote ---
Why not let it rip? It fits perfectly with your agenda. What, "Medinah makes itself an easy, funny target, and partly because a lot of other writers feel the same way?" Seems to me to be a whole lot of group think going on with your proposed "article." What, are you trying to ingratiate yourself to the other "writers"? Why write an article about a course that has little to no relevance to this year's PGA because "other writers feel the same way"?
That's a solid journalistic basis for a story.....keep up the good work.
BTW - When did you play Medinah?
--- End quote ---
1988, that's when I played it.
That's a first...someone ragging on a article I haven't written yet:):)
I'm looking forward to meeting the Minnesotans and spending a pleasant ten days there. I think a lot of the comments I've seen on the thread that are fair...that HazNat will be a fine host, and like Matt says won't tolerate half-assed play...but it's not the greatest course...and certainly not one to host twice in seven years over Oakland Hills, Oak Hill, Whistling, Southern Hills, Baltusrol...
John_Conley:
Ten thousand, three hundred and sixty-four posts and finally one where Matt's dead on!
;)
Your comments are perfect, Matt. Funny thing is that nobody has touted Hazeltine as one of the greats. Some folks just want to take shots.
It is a great tournament venue for all the reasons you mention. They can pack 50,000 or more people onto the course and sell loads of corporate tents.
JR Potts:
I'm pretty bummed out that John just beat me to it but I agree with your post Matt. (although I've never played Winged Foot West so I can't opine on that tier of courses).
To go back to Jay, 1988????? And complaining about me criticizing your stated objective to rip a course that has little to no relation to this years PGA is also quite interesting.
You want to find something that's interesting about Jay's diversity of thought.....google "Jay Flemma" and "Medinah". A man can write what he wants and I'm clearly a Medinah stooge, but when one can find a reason to insult the clubhouse (which is absolutely stunning) and negatively incorporate it into an article, you've lost your objectivity and any credibility you might have had.
1988.......that's funny. Good luck with your article. I'm sure your writer buddies will think it's hilarious.
Jay Flemma:
--- Quote from: Ryan Potts on July 01, 2009, 10:45:48 PM ---I'm pretty bummed out that John just beat me to it but I agree with your post Matt. (although I've never played Winged Foot West so I can't opine on that tier of courses).
To go back to Jay, 1988????? And complaining about me criticizing your stated objective to rip a course that has little to no relation to this years PGA is also quite interesting.
You want to find something that's interesting about Jay's diversity of thought.....google "Jay Flemma" and "Medinah". A man can write what he wants and I'm clearly a Medinah stooge, but when one can find a reason to insult the clubhouse (which is absolutely stunning) and negatively incorporate it into an article, you've lost your objectivity and any credibility you might have had.
1988.......that's funny. Good luck with your article. I'm sure your writer buddies will think it's hilarious.
--- End quote ---
oh...they changed it since 1988? what was wrong with it then that they had to tear up 17, (and then again)? or did they "re-perfect" it.
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