Five things I am most looking forward to this Saturday from ANGC

[jeffwarne]

So I'm watching the playoff.
Why do they need exactly 30 players?
Given that they all play Friday anyway, why deny ties from playing the final round?
Would be ironic to see a player survive the playoff then come back and win Saturday.Having played shots in a playoff that don't count in their aggragate.
The format seems more fitted for a member-guest, not a tournament that's trying to be the best in the world.
I'm assuming the scores the first 2 days carry fprward?
i.e.it's a 3 round event? (54 holes)
I might understand if the low 30 were qualifying for a one day event Saturday at ANGC, but otherwise a playoff in mid event for an event where previous srounds played count(but not playoff strokes)...is bush league


11 for 10 spots.
very bush league....break a heart to get to an exact number-for what?
would've loved to have seen Jeff Knox play the member tees

[John Kavanaugh]

When a private course says you can bring 30 players, you don't ask to bring 31. That is bush league my friend.

[jeffwarne]

When a private course says you can bring 30 players, you don't ask to bring 31. That is bush league my friend.

I'm rooting for one of the 10 players tied for 21st......8 shots back-ironically the same amount of shots as Jackie Burke was entering his victorious outright final round win.
Just got a dramatic camera shot of NOT growing the game.


Let's have a playoff for the 44 and ties next Friday

[Tom_Doak]

I'm eager to see how often and where the putter is used off the green. Granted, I don't watch a ton of women's events but it seems that when I do see it they are more willing to pull the putter.

I love to use putter from off the green as much as anyone, but that was almost never the play for me the couple of times I've played Augusta National.  The greens are so much faster than the surrounds that it would be very difficult to get the speed right if you are more than 2-3 feet off the putting surface.

[Daryl David]

First off, the round being played on Saturday as scheduled. Just arrived and skies are overcast but no precip. Weather.com has been a little inconsistent on the next two days but Friday DOES seem in jeopardy as of now. Would they not forego the practice round and still aim for a Saturday championship?As for the play itself, I'm eager to see how often and where the putter is used off the green. Granted, I don't watch a ton of women's events but it seems that when I do see it they are more willing to pull the putter.

I would hope they end it on Saturday regardless of whether there is a washout of the Friday practice round.  To move the final round to Sunday and potentially upstage the ANA would be very unfortunate. This had to be considered when they decided on this schedule which was dumb on ANGC’s part in the first place.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I would hope they end it on Saturday regardless of whether there is a washout of the Friday practice round.  To move the final round to Sunday and potentially upstage the ANA would be very unfortunate. This had to be considered when they decided on this schedule which was dumb on ANGC’s part in the first place.

To play devil's advocate…

The ANWA could be over by about 3pm, or 2pm, and lead right into the west-coast ANA.

[Peter Flory]

I would set the pins up in fairly easy positions if I were them... if there is such a thing there.  It's otherwise pretty unfair to expect them to learn the nuances of the positioning strategies and greens in such a short period of time.  They're not pros and they'll be very nervous due to it being televised and the anticipated size of the viewing audience. 


Should be fun to watch.  I hope that things stay tight into the back nine so that we can get a little bit of that Sunday at the Masters feeling. 

[Jay Mickle]

Right now the forecast is 100% chance of thunderstorms. What happens if they aren't able to get in a practice round?

Do you really think it possible that any amount of rain would stop you from playing a round at ANGC?

[Ted Sturges]

So I'm watching the playoff.
Why do they need exactly 30 players?
Given that they all play Friday anyway, why deny ties from playing the final round?
Would be ironic to see a player survive the playoff then come back and win Saturday.Having played shots in a playoff that don't count in their aggragate.
The format seems more fitted for a member-guest, not a tournament that's trying to be the best in the world.
I'm assuming the scores the first 2 days carry fprward?
i.e.it's a 3 round event? (54 holes)
I might understand if the low 30 were qualifying for a one day event Saturday at ANGC, but otherwise a playoff in mid event for an event where previous srounds played count(but not playoff strokes)...is bush league


11 for 10 spots.
very bush league....break a heart to get to an exact number-for what?
would've loved to have seen Jeff Knox play the member tees

I share your sentiments Jeff. This event is a swing and a miss for me.  They call this the Augusta National Women's Amateur, but the ladies are playing 2 rounds on the local muni, then a playoff to get the field to exactly 30, then a practice round for all (the same day as the 2nd round), followed by the one and only round on the ANGC course (for only 30 players) tomorrow.  Why not just play a 36 hole event at ANGC?  To me, you either host a first class event at your facility, treat the ladies with dignity, or you don't.   I'm trying to convince myself that this is a positive step for women's golf...and I'm failing.


TS

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I share your sentiments Jeff. This event is a swing and a miss for me.  They call this the Augusta National Women's Amateur, but the ladies are playing 2 rounds on the local muni, then a playoff to get the field to exactly 30, then a practice round for all (the same day as the 2nd round), followed by the one and only round on the ANGC course (for only 30 players) tomorrow.  Why not just play a 36 hole event at ANGC?  To me, you either host a first class event at your facility, treat the ladies with dignity, or you don't.   I'm trying to convince myself that this is a positive step for women's golf...and I'm failing.

Two corrections first:

• It's not the local muni.
• Their practice round is not "the same day as the 2nd round." It's the next day - today. Round 2 was Thursday.

And… why not host it at ANGC the whole time? Maybe because they have a bigger event that requires more prep, or maybe another reason that makes sense?

As the father of a daughter who plays, she's VERY interested in this, and I am with her. I think this is great, and who knows where it goes in the future.

[jeffwarne]

That "muni" is $2750 per foursome next week-Hardly a muni(don't mistake non overseeded dormant roughs and greens for neglect)
Having played a lot of golf at the local muni, you wouldn't get the two confused



agreed with Erik mostly though there is a danger in perception that Ted refers to
will be shocked if they don't tweak the format slightly-I'm sure one more set of divots from a player 8 shots out won't deface the surface too much.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

agreed with Erik mostly though there is a danger in perception that Ted refers to
will be shocked if they don't tweak the format slightly-I'm sure one more set of divots from a player 8 shots out won't deface the surface too much.

I don't see the problem. 31 is an odd number for threesomes or twosomes. 30 is a good number. They had a cut, and a playoff.

[jeffwarne]

Erik, it's at best odd and awkward having a playoff in the middle of an an aggregate 54 hole event (where shots in the playoff don't count towards the total) especially when the player that was outed was tied for 21st(out of 72), and within striking distance of a potential win.
There are many events where they need an exact number (a qualifier , a Stableford event, or match play) I just don't see the need for exactly 30, especially when cutting to a small number of 30.

There was a 50-50 chance of an odd or even number, and every event that has a cut with ties has a formula for either a marker, a threesome,two twosomes, or some other accomodation.
I will say it added interest as people watched the playoff, but kind've like a Christains and Lions thing (the pictures of the inconsolable 17 year old left out were not a great optic)
a minor thing, and I'm clearly in the minority.



 a ceremonial marker could've been cool(an Annika Sorenstam or a noteable woman amateur)
That's how The Masters used to handle markers before the Jeff Knox era (who has certainly held his own)


All in all a successful event thus far, and ANGC is good at getting it right (which is why I predict a format tweak)


and as I said, exactly 44 would make for a really neat, even weekend for the men too wouldn't it? More TV drama on a Friday? Knox is getting a bit older at 56.
Maybe they're onto something...

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Erik, it's at best odd and awkward having a playoff in the middle of an an aggregate 54 hole event

It’s a cut. I’ve seen or participated in several events where there’s a playoff for the cut.

The WGC Match Play could have had playoffs for their “cut” coming out of group play.

No issues here from me on the playoff or the cut to 30 exactly.

[jeffwarne]

Erik, it's at best odd and awkward having a playoff in the middle of an an aggregate 54 hole event

It’s a cut. I’ve seen or participated in several events where there’s a playoff for the cut.

The WGC Match Play could have had playoffs for their “cut” coming out of group play.


No issues here from me on the playoff or the cut to 30 exactly.

Erik,
as mentioned, the WGC is a MATCH play event-where the field has to get to a predetermined number for elimination play.
Please name an aggregate stroke play event you've played in where there was a playoff for the cut. (One where they don't start fresh the next day or qualify for a later event)

[Kalen Braley]

Doesn't US Open qualifying employ this as well?  Where only X number of people can advance to the next stage?

[jeffwarne]

Doesn't US Open qualifying employ this as well?  Where only X number of people can advance to the next stage?

of course, as do many other events where you are qualifying for a later event.
 (the events then start over-whether it be match play, stableford, stroke play etc.)
i.e. if you shoot 62 in a Sectional US Open qualifier, you don't add to that total at the actual US Open.
with multiple qualifying sites they need an exact number from each site, so as not to exceed their number of field size. Same with a State Open, MET Open  etc.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

as mentioned, the WGC is a MATCH play event-where the field has to get to a predetermined number for elimination play.

No way!!! The WGC Match play is match play? </sarcasm> C'mon Jeff, I know that. Bad example, perhaps, but to go all the way toward informing me that it's a match play event?   

They had to get to a pre-determined final round field size for the ANWA, too. That number was 30.

Please name an aggregate stroke play event you've played in where there was a playoff for the cut. (One where they don't start fresh the next day or qualify for a later event)

How about… the NCAA National Championships (DIII)? They have playoffs for individuals making the final field. First one I could think of.

My point was… this mid-tournament cut didn't even strike me as odd. I could probably name twenty events I've coached, played in, or seen contested (stroke play events) that have a cut with a playoff. So, with that background, I didn't think anything of it.

[Daryl David]

as mentioned, the WGC is a MATCH play event-where the field has to get to a predetermined number for elimination play.

No way!!! The WGC Match play is match play? </sarcasm> C'mon Jeff, I know that. Bad example, perhaps, but to go all the way toward informing me that it's a match play event?   

They had to get to a pre-determined final round field size for the ANWA, too. That number was 30.

Please name an aggregate stroke play event you've played in where there was a playoff for the cut. (One where they don't start fresh the next day or qualify for a later event)

How about… the NCAA National Championships (DIII)? They have playoffs for individuals making the final field. First one I could think of.

My point was… this mid-tournament cut didn't even strike me as odd. I could probably name twenty events I've coached, played in, or seen contested (stroke play events) that have a cut with a playoff. So, with that background, I didn't think anything of it.

Whether other events do this or don’t is irrelevant. This is ANGC and they should be better. Too many misses. The event timing conflicting with a Women’s major, playing only one round at ANGC and this crazy format. Very disappointing.

[jeffwarne]

as mentioned, the WGC is a MATCH play event-where the field has to get to a predetermined number for elimination play.

No way!!! The WGC Match play is match play? </sarcasm> C'mon Jeff, I know that. Bad example, perhaps, but to go all the way toward informing me that it's a match play event?   

They had to get to a pre-determined final round field size for the ANWA, too. That number was 30.

Please name an aggregate stroke play event you've played in where there was a playoff for the cut. (One where they don't start fresh the next day or qualify for a later event)

How about… the NCAA National Championships (DIII)? They have playoffs for individuals making the final field. First one I could think of.

My point was… this mid-tournament cut didn't even strike me as odd. I could probably name twenty events I've coached, played in, or seen contested (stroke play events) that have a cut with a playoff. So, with that background, I didn't think anything of it.

ANGC ain't no DIII
and do the players that qualify for final "field"start fresh or do all prior strokes played go in their total?
Just no point IMHO in an exact 30 and we can agree to disagree


They have 4 honorary starters-Annika is one of them.(Lopez, Ochoa, Annika,Se Ri Pak)
OT but hard to believe Nancy Lopez is just 62-given Bernhard is 61 and on TV every week, and has recently been a factor in The Masters. Seems so long ago for Nancy.


Would've been awesome to see Annika play as a marker at ANGC.I would follow that group.
Back in the day the honorary starters (Sarazen, Nelson, then Snead) used to keep playing (Snead always lasted the longest but at least 9 holes was generally played)

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Whether other events do this or don’t is irrelevant. This is ANGC and they should be better. Too many misses. The event timing conflicting with a Women’s major, playing only one round at ANGC and this crazy format. Very disappointing.

I disagree with the misses.

I think doing it in line with the major - remember, this is an amateur event, and only a few ams ever really played in the ANA - makes this an exciting weekend for women's golf.

I think having the one-day break is a bit odd, but the contestants all seem to appreciate it. They had positive things to say.

ANGC ain't no DIII

You asked. I answered. It's also for a national championship, too, not just some random college-hosted event.

and do the players that qualify for final "field"start fresh or do all prior strokes played go in their total?

The same as for the ANWA - their scores carry over.

Just no point IMHO in an exact 30 and we can agree to disagree

I'm sure they could tell you what their reasons are. You're not disagreeing with me; you're disagreeing with them. I just don't have an issue with it, like you do.

They have 4 honorary starters-Annika is one of them.(Lopez, Ochoa, Annika,Se Ri Pak)

Who says they wanted to play?

I'm just not getting butt-hurt over this like you guys seem to be. Sheesh. It's year one.

[jeffwarne]

Erik,
To be clear.
I think the event is a great thing and kudos to ANGC for opening the doors to what is allready a great event.
Particulalry good for fans as well who recently have been priced out of even practice rounds.


I think there is room to make it slightly bigger, without damaging the Masters.
Part of their history is change, and if there is a way to improve it-they will.
a great start and I share your thoughts about the weird break in the middle-but it may well add to the drama.
Would be interesting to get the thoughts of the players in contention in preparing for an event while in contention with one delayed day left.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Would be interesting to get the thoughts of the players in contention in preparing for an event while in contention with one delayed day left.

The quotes I saw, to a woman/girl, said that they liked being able to refresh and re-energize for the final round.

[jeffwarne]

Would be interesting to get the thoughts of the players in contention in preparing for an event while in contention with one delayed day left.

The quotes I saw, to a woman/girl, said that they liked being able to refresh and re-energize for the final round.

At a place where familiarity is king(queen) it will be a fascinating final round, and while no lead is ever safe there, that will really be true. In some cases, the lower spin will be an advantage-depending upon how the course is set up.
Wish I were going down 2 days earlier

[Erik J. Barzeski]

At a place where familiarity is king(queen) it will be a fascinating final round, and while no lead is ever safe there, that will really be true. In some cases, the lower spin will be an advantage-depending upon how the course is set up.
Wish I were going down 2 days earlier

I'm very interested to see how it plays for them.


I remember how differently they set up, say, Oakmont from the men to the women. Augusta doesn't have U.S. Open Rough, but those greens were slowed quite a bit for the women as compared to the men. I wonder how much they'll want to slow down Augusta National's greens. Would they go to 10.5?