the new Pebble Beach look...and play

[paul cowley]

I've rambled a bit before about how I have missed the old 60-70's linksy feel of the course in its day....before cart paths and irrigated roughs etc...and how I did not enjoy many of the changes of the past 30+ years.

...but watching play today I must say I am enjoying many of the most recent course evolutions....the course is definitely not the old, but definitely a better new.

The scores are of interest and no one will win by a 15 shot margin...IMO.

The course looks much better than in the past.


(although I'd still reverse #9 through #13...that ain't gonna go away) 

[John Moore II]

I don't remember much of the 2000 Open, and can honestly say I haven't watched much of the Pro-Am ever, but I also really liked the wispy roughs here and there. I really liked the look of the course and I thought that for people who could really control shots, birdies were there to be had; witness some of the roll/bounce up shots on 17. Very good set up.

[Chris Flamion]

I heard them talk about how one of the holes had a 70 yard wide fairway. At an Open!!!!  Definately a step in the right direction.

[Jim Hoak]

Mike Davis is the new face of USGA tournament golf, and he is doing a great job!

[Peter Pallotta]

Paul - I know you're not much of a typist, but can you expand a bit on what you're seeing there at Pebble, and what makes you like this version more than the previous one and almost as much as the one in the 60s?  Please expand as much as you'd like - your perspective on this would be much appreciated.  Also, interesting that you mention the linksy feel - one of hosts on sports radio in Toronto this morning kept saying that the look and playing characteristics of PB this year reminded him much more of the British Open than a usual US Open.

Peter