[jkinney]

Here is the official website for anyone interested. The compeition is returning to first venue in 1922 - historic indeed.

www.2013WalkerCup.com

[Mark McKeever]

It will be interesting to see if these long hitting younger players will use any of the architectural features that are present on the golf course.  I guess it will depend on wind and firm conditions.

Mark

[Shane Wright]

Has there been any noteworthy changes to the course in preparation for the Walker Cup?

[jkinney]

Several holes have additional length through new back tees;

  - #3   ("Alps") new tee (which will probably only be temporary) is parallel to the right greenside side  of #2 ("Sahara").
  - #7   ("St. Andrews") new tee is back by the maintenance road running behind the green of #12 ("Sebonac").
  - #16 ("Punchbowl" ) new tee is up the hill under the green of #4 ("Redan") and the tee of #5 ("Hog's Back").

There was some talk of a tee for #18 ("Home") across the driveway from the green of #17 ("Peconic"), but that was shelved. The essence of National's greatness comes not from length but from its many options of risk and reward. It should prove a wonderful match play venue.

 

[Chuck Glowacki]

New tee on 18 was marked out, across the road from 17th tee, right inside the gates.  It was eliminated due to environmental
reasons (wet lands).
The new tee on 16 is a 280 yard carry to the top of the hill.
New tee on 3 is news to me, guess they worked on that during the winter.
I will be there next Friday (April 19) and will report back on any other changes.
I am hoping the wind blows for those 2 days and blows hard.

[Tyler Kearns]

Several holes have additional length through new back tees;

  - #3   ("Alps") new tee (which will probably only be temporary) is parallel to the right greenside side  of #2 ("Sahara").
  - #7   ("St. Andrews") new tee is back by the maintenance road running behind the green of #12 ("Sebonac").
  - #16 ("Punchbowl" ) new tee is up the hill under the green of #4 ("Redan") and the tee of #5 ("Hog's Back").

There was some talk of a tee for #18 ("Home") across the driveway from the green of #17 ("Peconic"), but that was shelved. The essence of National's greatness comes not from length but from its many options of risk and reward. It should prove a wonderful match play venue.

 

The new tees on #7 & #16 are visible in Google Earth image dates March 6, 2012.  The area for the new tee at #3 is evident as some prep work seems to have taken place.

TK

[Patrick_Mucci]

JKinney,

The ideal location for a back tee on # 18 is directly behind the current one, right next to the left side stone foundation for the entrance.

Across the road alters the angle of attack into the fairway, almost like the new tee on # 18 at PV.

Retaining the angle of attack, and the intended interfacing with the features (bunkers, slope) preserves CBM's vision for play of the hole.

It will be interesting to see if the natural barriers inherent in the design thwart length.

Holes like # 3, 5, 9, 11, 17 might, but, at match play, I can see long hitters ignoring what we might fear.

ie, some have now driven over the road on # 11 and others have now driven # 17 green.
Will some drive over the pit on # 9 ?

Will the "Bottle" bunkers become irrelevant ?

At that time of year, the course should be firm and fast, but, the air might be thinner.

I sure don't want to see goofy golf.

When I think of competitive conditions and hole locations, sometimes, the course is perfect  for the Singles, but, again, Mother Nature is going to have to co-operate.

I'd like to see the new tee on # 3 remain.
I began advocating for a back tee on that hole once hi-tech relegated the enormous diagonal cross bunker to eye candy.
There was a time when you had to decide where to challenge that bunker.
Today, you have to decide how not to end up in the tall rough at the end of the fairway on the hill.
The bunker is a vestigial organ/feature.

And, that's what will happen to the large, deep left side fairway bunker on # 18 if they don't move the tee directly back 50 yards.

One only has to see the benefit of the fairly recent back tee on # 14 to appreciate that you have to counter hi-tech with added distance to remain relevant in the competitive world.  Ditto # 8 and many others.

It's a sad reality.

[Bill_McBride]

Mr. Mucci, I think the lodging in Southampton is going to be pretty pricey.    Do you have a couple of spare bedrooms for out-of-towners, including a couple from Santa Barbara?

 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mr. Mucci, I think the lodging in Southampton is going to be pretty pricey.   

Agreed

Do you have a couple of spare bedrooms for out-of-towners, including a couple from Santa Barbara?

Bill, I live on the other side of the Hudson, a good two hours from NGLA, but, now that you mention it, I'd better start making inquiries of friends who live in that area.

 

[Bill_McBride]

Mr. Mucci, I think the lodging in Southampton is going to be pretty pricey.   

Agreed

Do you have a couple of spare bedrooms for out-of-towners, including a couple from Santa Barbara?

Bill, I live on the other side of the Hudson, a good two hours from NGLA, but, now that you mention it, I'd better start making inquiries of friends who live in that area.

 

Funny, I always thought of you as an Islander!   

[Ronald Montesano]

I plan to be out there as well. If anyone has leads on places to stay, send them this way.

[jkinney]

JKinney,

The ideal location for a back tee on # 18 is directly behind the current one, right next to the left side stone foundation for the entrance.

Across the road alters the angle of attack into the fairway, almost like the new tee on # 18 at PV.

Retaining the angle of attack, and the intended interfacing with the features (bunkers, slope) preserves CBM's vision for play of the hole.

It will be interesting to see if the natural barriers inherent in the design thwart length.

Holes like # 3, 5, 9, 11, 17 might, but, at match play, I can see long hitters ignoring what we might fear.

ie, some have now driven over the road on # 11 and others have now driven # 17 green.
Will some drive over the pit on # 9 ?

Will the "Bottle" bunkers become irrelevant ?

At that time of year, the course should be firm and fast, but, the air might be thinner.

I sure don't want to see goofy golf.

When I think of competitive conditions and hole locations, sometimes, the course is perfect  for the Singles, but, again, Mother Nature is going to have to co-operate.

I'd like to see the new tee on # 3 remain.
I began advocating for a back tee on that hole once hi-tech relegated the enormous diagonal cross bunker to eye candy.
There was a time when you had to decide where to challenge that bunker.
Today, you have to decide how not to end up in the tall rough at the end of the fairway on the hill.
The bunker is a vestigial organ/feature.

And, that's what will happen to the large, deep left side fairway bunker on # 18 if they don't move the tee directly back 50 yards.

One only has to see the benefit of the fairly recent back tee on # 14 to appreciate that you have to counter hi-tech with added distance to remain relevant in the competitive world.  Ditto # 8 and many others.

It's a sad reality.

Pat- I agree with you on a new 18th tee location, even though part of the greenside bunker would have to go.
As to the 9th, the carry to the second fairway is 300 yds., and the flat bellies can go to the right side of the first fairway w/3 wood and get home in two, as I saw Adam Scott do once. The #8(" Bottle") bunkers' defense remains the SW trade wind. We'll have to see if the new Alps tee remains , as it may slow down play on #2 (" Sahara") - as would a new 18th tee slow down play on #17 ("Peconic").

You are correct in saying that National's configuration doesn't allow for many new deep tees - unlike Shinny, which does.

All that notwithstanding, IMO, National will prove itself a world class match play course for the Walker Cup. Forget about their medal scores. They are of little relevance here. The risk/reward decisions  and hole placements will give them fits, as they do for us mere mortals.

[Patrick_Mucci]

JKinney,

With wedges into # 17, I don't see a tee by the entrance gate on 18, slowing down play.

# 1 and # 2 have always created a bottleneck and the new back tee on # 3 would certainly add to it, but, the trade off is the return of the cross bunker as a feature to be contended with off the tee.

[jkinney]

You may very well have a point 17/18. I'll look at the space available by the Macdonald gate in early June. However, the "look" of the hole from the 17th tee (my favorite place on earth) could change drastically. I'll also look at the placement of the new tee on Alps - which I'm told is temporary.

[JMEvensky]

I wish someone would do a hole by hole Magical Mystery Tour of NGLA before the Walker Cup.

I wonder if Tom Paul is busy.

[Patrick_Mucci]

JKinney,

From the DZ on # 17, my proposed tee on # 18 wouldn't be visible due to the fronting berm/bunker on # 17 and the 17th green which sites above that area.

Let us know your thoughts after your visit.

[Bill_McBride]

JKinney,

With wedges into # 17, I don't see a tee by the entrance gate on 18, slowing down play.

# 1 and # 2 have always created a bottleneck and the new back tee on # 3 would certainly add to it, but, the trade off is the return of the cross bunker as a feature to be contended with off the tee.

 That's why the Walker Cup is the perfect event for NGLA.  Not that many matches and bottlenecks are not a problem.  A full field medal play event?   Fuggedaboutit!

[Patrick_Mucci]

JKinney,

With wedges into # 17, I don't see a tee by the entrance gate on 18, slowing down play.

# 1 and # 2 have always created a bottleneck and the new back tee on # 3 would certainly add to it, but, the trade off is the return of the cross bunker as a feature to be contended with off the tee.

 That's why the Walker Cup is the perfect event for NGLA.  Not that many matches and bottlenecks are not a problem.  A full field medal play event?   Fuggedaboutit!


Bill,

Unfortunately # 1 and # 2 cause a bottleneck at match play because you have to clear the first and second green before teeing off on # 1 and # 2

Perhaps, if tee times are separated by 15 minutes, this will be less of a problem

[Bill_McBride]

JKinney,

With wedges into # 17, I don't see a tee by the entrance gate on 18, slowing down play.

# 1 and # 2 have always created a bottleneck and the new back tee on # 3 would certainly add to it, but, the trade off is the return of the cross bunker as a feature to be contended with off the tee.

 That's why the Walker Cup is the perfect event for NGLA.  Not that many matches and bottlenecks are not a problem.  A full field medal play event?   Fuggedaboutit!


Bill,

Unfortunately # 1 and # 2 cause a bottleneck at match play because you have to clear the first and second green before teeing off on # 1 and # 2

Perhaps, if tee times are separated by 15 minutes, this will be less of a problem

I have been to a couple of Walker Cups -- Chicago 2005 and Royal County Down 2007 -- and it is the most accommodating of any event I've been to.  Those bottlenecks will clear quickly.  It's all either foursomes or singles matches in pairs, so only two tee shots per hole.  It will move along well. 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Bill,

The National Singles is played in Singles matches and the 1st and the 2nd hole are bottlenecks in both medal and match play.

Now you can either believe me or some other moron, take your choice, I won't be offended

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,

The National Singles is played in Singles matches and the 1st and the 2nd hole are bottlenecks in both medal and match play.

Now you can either believe me or some other moron, take your choice, I won't be offended

When you say "believe me or some other moron," are you calling yourself a moron?   

If the second is a bottleneck, how many groups do you think will pile up on that little tee behind the first green? 

[Mark Chaplin]

Bill I'm guessing none, four matches on the course so 15 or 20 minute spaces.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill I'm guessing none, four matches on the course so 15 or 20 minute spaces.

Not in the afternoon, Mark.   Ten singles Sat, twelve Sun.

[Jay Flemma]

I'll be there as well.  What a year...Merion and National! Way to go, USGA.

[Bill Crane]

Had the good fortunate to go to the Walker Cup at Merion and it was one of the most pleasant golf viewing experiences I have ever enjoyed. 

With essentially no ropes you really get a chance to see the course and players.  Standing in the fairway at Merion near Rickie Fowler's ball I get a tap on my shoulder "excuse me sir, I need to hit this shot".

The only downside I saw was that the US was winning some matches so early  that there was a concentration of people on the last few holes since there were only 2 matches left.  On Saturday am - Fowler and Bud Cawley won the AM match 6- and 5, and Fowler won his afternoon match 7 & 6 !!!  Rickie Fowler ended up winning all four matches that he played in.  US had a super team, looks like 5 or 6 are now on the PGA Tour, and then there is the old man 4 time Mid Am winner Nathan Smith, probably on ANGC as I write this.  The US won 16 1/2 to 9 1/2 GB & I.

I highly recommend the Walker Cup experience.  If I were not planning to be in Scotland I would be making housing arrangements now.

WmFlynnfan

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