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Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

  • Karma: +0/-0
It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« on: January 25, 2011, 10:55:52 AM »
...because it feels so good when you stop.  Here's the release on our setting up The Ocean Course in 2012 PGA conditions the first week of August this year to give people a chance to see how'd they do:

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort to offer guests a chance to play the course in
PGA Championship conditions first week of August 2011
-Best low-net score wins a foursome a two-night stay at the Five-Star Sanctuary hotel with two rounds of golf (one on The Ocean Course)

KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Kiawah Island Golf Resort today announced that from August 1-7, 2011, The Ocean Course will be set up in the same conditions as it will the following year during the 2012 PGA Championship, including greens speeds, rough lengths and rough lines with tees set at the PGA indicated length of a mind-numbing 7,606 yards.  This will give guests an opportunity to test their skills against what the PGA Tour players will face the following year and gives them a chance to win a great Kiawah Island Golf Resort golf vacation package.
   “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,” explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf.  “During this special week, we’ll give our guests a chance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.”
   For the week, there will be a low-net competition for players taking the challenge.  The winner will receive a two-night stay in the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond oceanfront hotel, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, for a foursome that includes two rounds of golf including one on The Ocean Course.  To be entered in the challenge, players must present proof of a certified USGA Handicap and play the course with one of the resort’s caddies to verify the player’s score.  In the event of a tie, a winner will be determined by a matching of the cards.
   The PGA Challenge is open to everyone at normal golf rates.  Packages are available.  For further information on the PGA Challenge and golf packages, call 800-576-1570 or visit  http://www.kiawahresort.com/packages/golf/.  For more information on the 2012 PGA Championship, please visit http://www.pga2012.com
                Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island Golf Resort was recently named the No. 1 resort on the U.S. Mainland by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine.  It was also named the No. 1 golf resort by Golf World magazine and one of the top five tennis resorts in the U.S. by Tennis magazine. Kiawah Island is also known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S. and its beach was named one of the 10 best beaches in America by famed “beachologist,” Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach.  In addition to The Sanctuary, the resort’s 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa, the resort manages 600 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA championships.
               For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com or call 800-654-2924.

Jason Topp

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2011, 11:22:12 AM »
I did this at Hazeltine the year before the 2009 PGA.  It is a humbling experience to say the least.  If you have any thoughts that there is any relationship between the pro game and yours, this experience will cure those illusions.

If you go, I recommend booking only one round and curing your wounds on other courses afterwards.

George Freeman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2011, 11:51:41 AM »
Sounds like an interesting idea. 

Be prepared for some 6+ hour rounds, especially if the wind is up!
Mayhugh is my hero!!

"I love creating great golf courses.  I love shaping earth...it's a canvas." - Donald J. Trump

Paul OConnor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2011, 12:41:09 PM »
Mike,
What is the course rating on the Ocean Course from the back tees?  What do you estimate the course rating would be from the 2012 PGA setup?  Over 80?

Jaeger Kovich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2011, 01:52:49 PM »
According to my yardage book from fall 2009:

Tournament tees, slope -  144/77.2, 7356 yards, par 72

Sounds like something I'd like to try ONCE!

Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2011, 03:41:18 PM »
We had it sloped and rated from the middle of the back tees (which is 7,873 yards) an dit came out 153/79.7.

Ron Csigo

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2011, 04:26:46 PM »
Let's send a GCAer with a 10 handicap and see if he can break 100.  I nominate Mac Plumart!  :-)
Playing and Admiring the Great Golf Courses of the World.

Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2011, 04:32:20 PM »
I will take the challenge!!!!  Perhaps my favorite course on the planet...and since Ron says that the group is "sending" a 10 handicapper, the price will be right (paid for by the website!!).

Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

Colin Macqueen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2011, 04:50:18 PM »
Gentlemen,

Mac Plumart...an elderly Andy Gray!!!???
"Golf, thou art a gentle sprite, I owe thee much"
The Hielander

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2011, 05:03:15 PM »
Hell, it's practically his HOME COURSE! He's played like 10 rounds there over the past 12 months, maybe more...

Wade Whitehead

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2011, 05:12:55 PM »
Let's send a GCA foursome, made of up a range of handicaps, who document the day and report back to the crowd.

WW

Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2011, 05:15:32 PM »
Gentlemen,

Mac Plumart...an elderly Andy Gray!!!???

Colin...If I'm an elderly Andy Gray, he must be 6 years old, as I am 38.  (insert smiling emoticon)
Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

Adam Clayman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2011, 05:45:25 PM »
When is Pinehurst's open? I ask because they won't have typical set up. And, if its prior to Kiawah's it should be an interesting contrast.
"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life." - Mickey Mantle

Joe Grasty

Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2011, 10:36:13 PM »

   “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,” explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf.  “During this special week, we’ll give our guests a chance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.”


Let me fix that:

"It's the dream of serious golfers everywhere to shoot 120 and lose a dozen balls."

Patrick Hodgdon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2011, 01:00:40 AM »
Let's send a GCA foursome, made of up a range of handicaps, who document the day and report back to the crowd.

WW


Sounds like you might be In need of a guy with experience "live-tweeting" GCA matches in the foursome, if so I am down and would give full coverage of the event.
Did you know World Woods has the best burger I've ever had in my entire life? I'm planning a trip back just for another one between rounds.

"I would love to be a woman golfer." -JC Jones

Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #15 on: January 26, 2011, 02:14:56 PM »

   “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,” explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf.  “During this special week, we’ll give our guests a chance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.”


Let me fix that:

"It's the dream of serious golfers everywhere to shoot 120 and lose a dozen balls."

Tell me you don't envy the golf writers who get a chance to play Augusta the day after the Masters.  Same thing, different course.  Gary Player told me that Augusta is harder than The Ocean Course...

Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2011, 02:20:14 PM »
I played with Bob Carney, Golf Digest's Marketing guy, on Monday.  Here's his write up:

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/2011/01/kiawah-to-offer-amateurs-unique-opportunity.html

In addition to the changes on 5 and 11, I just learned of another change Pete is making to No. 12, altering the fairway bunkers on the left and bringing in and bulkheading the fairway close to the green on the right.  Going to make a long, difficult hole even more so...

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #17 on: January 26, 2011, 05:24:29 PM »
Mike,

As luck would have it our family may well be there that week (we're just closing down on a booking). Sounds like fun!
Twitter: @Deneuchre

Carl Nichols

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #18 on: January 26, 2011, 11:03:12 PM »
Mac:
I'm in -- seriously. 

Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #19 on: January 26, 2011, 11:19:10 PM »
I'll do it as well.  It is one of my all-time favorite courses and if we can get some guys out there, this will be big time fun.
Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

Joe Grasty

Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #20 on: January 26, 2011, 11:23:25 PM »

   “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,” explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf.  “During this special week, we’ll give our guests a chance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.”


Let me fix that:

"It's the dream of serious golfers everywhere to shoot 120 and lose a dozen balls."

Tell me you don't envy the golf writers who get a chance to play Augusta the day after the Masters.  Same thing, different course.  Gary Player told me that Augusta is harder than The Ocean Course...

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to play The Ocean Course, but from the tips is just silly.

Kyle Harris

Re: It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...
« Reply #21 on: January 27, 2011, 09:04:20 AM »

   “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,” explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf.  “During this special week, we’ll give our guests a chance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.”


Let me fix that:

"It's the dream of serious golfers everywhere to shoot 120 and lose a dozen balls."

Tell me you don't envy the golf writers who get a chance to play Augusta the day after the Masters.  Same thing, different course.  Gary Player told me that Augusta is harder than The Ocean Course...

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to play The Ocean Course, but from the tips is just silly.

But it's your dream!