[Joe Hancock]

If the Tour did something like this...a total surprise to a golf course and nearly everyone involved....what would we see? Let’s say it was at some lesser maintained facility, little bunker prep, everything mown but not real short, etc.....Heck, let’s throw in a “Pop Up Tournament Ball” too.....would it be entertaining, or a complete fiasco with a bunch of snivveling crybaby players saying it was the dumbest experiment ever? Or, maybe, they have a lot of fun, especially if the winner takes home a few million.....


Once a year, I might look forward to this more than any other tournament, except I wouldn’t know when to look forward to it....

[Ronald Montesano]

You could do it with the help of the PGA of America. They would keep things on the hush, but would have the infrastructure in place. You would select a small number of golfers with charisma and ties to the area. You would pick an exciting format (match play 6s comes to mind) and you would involve the crowd (if your player wins a match, you win something, too.) The point would not be about $$$$$, but about giving forward.


When Jim Thorpe lead the 1981 US Open at Merion and ultimately finished t11, he did a goodwill tour of courses in the Buffalo area that summer. I followed him at Audubon golf course in Amherst, and he was great. He shot 73, 2 over par, could not get a ball to stop on those concrete greens, and could not make a putt. I saved his divot and ball for months, and if I wasn't already hooked, he did the trick. He would simply show up and play. Unbelievable memory.

[JMEvensky]

When Jim Thorpe lead the 1981 US Open at Merion and ultimately finished t11, he did a goodwill tour of courses in the Buffalo area that summer. I followed him at Audubon golf course in Amherst, and he was great. He shot 73, 2 over par, could not get a ball to stop on those concrete greens, and could not make a putt. I saved his divot and ball for months, and if I wasn't already hooked, he did the trick. He would simply show up and play. Unbelievable memory.

I played with Thorpe (and Jim Dent) the Tuesday after the Open at my club in Memphis. They shot 65 and 66 respectively. Neither had ever seen the course (it's not Oakmont but it's not THAT easy).


Unless you hold this pop-up event at WF-W or similar, I'd guess a winning score would be in the 250's.


And I'd bet the overwhelming number of players would be gracious about the course and conditions. Most can remember playing less than manicured courses growing up--they realize they're fortunate.

[jeffwarne]

Aren't they doing that this week?


and they're playing at high altitude that affects the ball about as much as a rollbacl would.
and magically they can adapt....

[David_Tepper]

You would probably see a few scores in the 50's.

[BHoover]

The US Open sectional qualifier in Columbus (and maybe Memphis) is essentially this already. Most of the field is made up on Tour pros in town for the Memorial. The courses are pretty much set up as they are for member play on an everyday basis. As a former member of one of the courses that regularly hosts the event, it was always fun and fascinating to see how these guys play the same course I do. They hit a lot less club into all the par 5s.

[V. Kmetz]

The US Open sectional qualifier in Columbus (and maybe Memphis) is essentially this already. Most of the field is made up on Tour pros in town for the Memorial. The courses are pretty much set up as they are for member play on an everyday basis. As a former member of one of the courses that regularly hosts the event, it was always fun and fascinating to see how these guys play the same course I do. They hit a lot less club into all the par 5s.

So agree; the US Open sectionals are the very thing Joe H proposes and also perhaps the best way to see great play/players up close without fuss of any kind. I have caddied in two of them and watched/walked several of them. It's even better than what Joe proposes, because they play 36.


Of course the Memphis venue(s) now see the best PGA Tour entrants; at one time (when the former Westchester Classic was played immediately before the Open) the Met area sectional (traditionally hosted at neighboring clubs Century and Old Oaks, now alternated with the Canoe Brook 36 hole facility every three years) saw the premium field.


I amplify BH's remarks in that the courses undergo no "special" presentation ramp-up (save for things that can be done the preceding days that would be done for any important course/club event), so you also get that effect of seeing what fine, peak players can do at "your club."


And yes, as DT posited...they can rip it up, I remember at least one 59 at Canoe Brook (a Japanese player?) and other 60-61s sprinkled in. Usually sight unseen (some players choose to get a courtesy round in on Sunday night prior), such scoring is incredible.


cheers  vk

[John_Conley]

http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news00/maruyama58.html

[Thomas Dai]

I'd like to see them play the Kilmore-9 at Carne (without caddies).
atb

[Jeff Schley]

I often wondered what pros would shoot on the muni I grew up on (at least a couple months in the summer anyway) back in Illinois.  Easy course 119 slope from the back.  A friend, who was a nike/nationwide player at the time came and was 7 under after 9 holes before we got rained on. He also missed a 2 footer for birdie. Only played 6200 yards.  I would think the winning score if you had the PGA tour guys there quite a few would be shooting in the 50's.

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