How bout that Riviera..If your panties get in a bunch over spoilers, don't open.

[Pete Lavallee]

Michael,

I'm glad to hear that a resourceful player can still use many different clubs around the green; like John I've only played there once, over 20 years ago now. There is no doubt the architecture still shines through; but you would probably have to admit that Riviera plays well despite the Kikuyu, not because of it.

James,

Just how do they irradicate that evil weed? Do they spray or dig it up? I would imagine you would have to kill everything and then start from scratch.

Another interesting grass event we've had here is the Poa Anna has not really gone to seed on the greens yet. Usually in Feb. and Mar. we have severe "cauliflower seed heads", but none have sprouted yet. This has allowed the greens to be much firmer and certainly roll truer.

[Michael Robin]

Pete -

Of course I agree that "Riviera plays well despite the Kikuyu, not because of it." I'm just saying that given the givens, it's a marvelous surface. Would the place be better all bent? Probably. I just don't think we'll get the chance to see that. Also, we usually see the Poa flower in April/May at Riviera.

[David Ober]

Pete -

Of course I agree that "Riviera plays well despite the Kikuyu, not because of it." I'm just saying that given the givens, it's a marvelous surface. Would the place be better all bent? Probably. I just don't think we'll get the chance to see that. Also, we usually see the Poa flower in April/May at Riviera.

I have played Riviera exactly one time. I frickin' loved it. Every bit of it, including the kikuyu.

Definitely does make the short game pretty one dimensional, though. I found myself hitting lots of low juicer LW shots, which are easy to hit from the kikuyu fairways because the balls sits up so perfectly.

Man what a great course.

[James Bennett]

James,

Just how do they irradicate that evil weed? Do they spray or dig it up? I would imagine you would have to kill everything and then start from scratch.

Another interesting grass event we've had here is the Poa Anna has not really gone to seed on the greens yet. Usually in Feb. and Mar. we have severe "cauliflower seed heads", but none have sprouted yet. This has allowed the greens to be much firmer and certainly roll truer.

Pete

Yes they spray.  There is a new selective spray that can attack the kikuyu (sorry, don't know the name).

However, Glenelg also dug up a lot as part of the revamp.

The outcome is the result of the two - some resodding, some spraying.

Our Adelaide experience with poa seed heads is similar to Michael Robin's comments - from mid to late spring.  The grass sets seed when it is getting near to the end of the annual life cycle, and uses a lot of its energy in the process as well.  

James B

[Kyle Harris]

Anyone catch this from ESPN's internet coverage of the Nissan?

"Harrington missed the sixth green to the left, and his chip at the flag ran well past the hole. Only as the group walked to the seventh tee did Mickelson point out he could have chipped above the green and let the slope take it to the hole. Harrington is playing the Nissan Open for the first time this week."

I didn't watch any coverage today, but was Phil's idea viable in that situation? If so - what a green!

FIGJAM!

[CHrisB]

Who says we need Tiger in the field to have a good PGA Tour event? A great course and a great field makes for a great tournament to watch. I don't miss TW at all.

[Kalen Braley]

I would agree.  Its been a great stacked leaderboard with plenty of names and plenty of birds and bogeys to be found on the course.