Hello all!

Just happened to catch one of the infinite numbers of Top Ten highlight shows on TGC recently, this one about exaggerated reactions to certain shots, and there was the clip of Tiger chasing after his birdie putt in the 2000 PGA playoff.  Got me thinking about the thread earlier this winter about Valhalla GC being closed (or close to it) for Nicklaus' renovations before next year's Ryder Cup.

Are there any updates as to the progress of that work?  Perhaps it is a phased-in project over the 18 months remaining...

Does Azinger have any input in the changes, and/or how much input would he have in course set-up (vs. PGA leadership, etc.)?  My only other recent images of the course were from a recent Senior PGA Championship and it seemed as if there were some significant flooding--was that the genesis for the changes?

My instinct from rare viewings from afar was that there were some similarities to Witch Hollow--while the course itself may not blow away the cognescenti here on GCA, the championship finishes have been pretty noteworthy.  It would be nice to dream that there could be a number of closely contested matches in the Ryder Cup (no matter what the result), as well...

Thanks!

CPS, nice to see you here.

We opened up 10 holes about 3 weeks ago.  We hope to open another 4-5 in the next several weeks.  The final ones will be open late June early July.  The reason for the different opening times is from Nickalus coming in and making changes to greens that were already seeded.  1 hole was changed completely 3 times in as many days.  

Azinger has already been discussing course setup for the tournament for the past several months but didnt have any input on the renovations.

The flooding wasnt the reason for the changes.  Some changes were made to help control minor flooding.  

The main reason for the changes was to regrass the greens with A1/A4 bentgrass which is much better suited for the transitional region we are in.  While regrassing, most of the greens were recontoured to soften slopes and add more pinable locations.  4 of the greens complexes were completely rebuilt and totally different than before.  Bunkers were added and also about 250 yards bringing the total yardage up to around 7,550.  

One more that was done was to rework some mounding and clearing trees to allow better spectator viewing.  PGA officials are saying this wil be the most specator friendly venue they have ever had.

If you have anymore questions ill do my best to answer

Nick; any chance you can post up some pictures of the changes? I'd love to see the new 6th.....

Nick, thanks for the pictures.

***edited***

Nevermind... I'm an idiot... I re-read the whole post, Poz, and realize you clearly explain that the green is 80 yards farther.

Yep, that's the @$#)(@# approach shot to 6 that I remember.

Got me at least 2 out of 3 times.

Thanks for the "before" shot.