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Brad Klein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Report from U.S. Open
« on: June 12, 2003, 04:30:24 PM »
While the course is yielding low scores, with and average first day posting of 72.7 the first day (so far), it's also as vulnerable as it is ever likely to get. The greens are perfect, with putting speeds ranging right around 13 and just enough moisture in the ground to slow the ball down when it lands. It will likely dry out and firm up, and even if green speeds don't increase there will be more kick and roll to the ground game and deeper rough as well.

What's really interesting is that after all the hoopla of Bethpage last year and this year's commotion involving Martha Burk and then Annika Sorenstam, it feels like a rather sedate major.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Phil_the_Author

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2003, 06:18:18 PM »
Brad,

Are there any gripes coming from the USGA over the rather large number of rounds under par?

Last year at Bethpage, even before the Open began, there was talk of bringing the Open back to Bethpage ASAP. Is there any talk about Olympia having proved itself worthy of being considered again soon?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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TEPaul

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2003, 06:24:49 PM »
"What's really interesting is that after all the hoopla of Bethpage last year and this year's commotion involving Martha Burk and then Annika Sorenstam, it feels like a rather sedate major."

Brad:

In that case I suggest the USGA send Pat Mucci a first class airline ticket to Chicago tomorrow morning and he'll come in there and question and investigate everyone's motives, inform thousands of people they must be biased about something and demand to see mission statements and financial accountings of everything from the club's finances to the profit projections of the hotdog man. If it's a hornet's nest of added interest they need out there---Patrick Mucci is just the man!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Dan Kelly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2003, 07:49:12 PM »
And if anything -- and I mean anything -- goes wrong ...

BLAME THE MEMBERS!  ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2003, 07:58:17 PM »
Conditions for scoring could not have been more perfect.  Moderate temperatures, no wind and still-moist green surfaces.  Hopefully by the weekend the wind will blow and the sun will shine .... ;) ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Mike_Cirba

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2003, 08:30:31 PM »
It's great to see how excited the Chicago fans seem to be that the US Open is being held there.  

The fact that low numbers seem possible at OF seems to add to the excitement, although I'm still looking to find greatness on the course and it's not really evident from television.  Perhaps a firmer, faster course with cooperative weather will show me what i'm missing.

I'm certainly willing to learn and remain open-minded.  I will say that Mark Mungeam's bunkers have a distinctive look and as Brad mentions, conditions look optimum for scoring.  I'm not sure I've ever seen putts roll so true.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Mike Benham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2003, 09:39:55 PM »

Quote
... it feels like a rather sedate major.

It might have been sedate until a 53-year old Tom Watson displayed the magic of old ... he still can swing the club can't he ...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"... and I liked the guy ..."

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2003, 03:45:28 AM »
Mike:

It is amazing that Mungeam moved the bunkers back to be more in play for the long hitters and that they are knocking them OVER all those same bunkers!  For instance, many players were blowing their drives over the minefield of bunkers that is (supposed to be) the 18th landing area!  
Driver-SW into a 460+ four par!  Amazing.

Time to revisit the ball issue, me'thinks..... :-[
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Jonathan Cummings

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2003, 05:02:35 AM »
Brad - sneak out there at night and spray Miracle Growth on the rough!   :)   JC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Rick Shefchik

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2003, 09:41:59 AM »
It doesn't appear that Olympia Fields is thrusting itself into the permanent rota, but our overall impression of this year's Open will ultimately depend, as it always does, on what happens Sunday. Watson's play on Thursday demonstrated again that a major tournament can go from snoozeworrthy to electrifying over the course of a couple of holes if the right players hit the right shots.

What does that ultimately say about the golf course? Depends on what you want. If you want an exhausted Tiger prevailing over sluggers like Phil, Veejay or Ernie on a beast of a course like Bethpage Black, the USGA will give you that every couple of years. If you want a three-way firedrill on the 18th green like we had with Goosen, Cink and Brooks at Southern Hills, the USGA provides one of those every few years, too. Is Bethpage a better golf course than Southern Hills? Most seem to think it is. Was the 2001 Open more entertaining than the 2002 Open? I thought it was.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique. The other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness and conversation." - Grantland Rice

W.H. Cosgrove

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2003, 09:47:33 AM »
Olympia Fields may not be thrusting itself into the Rota, but the early morning weather and overcast are providing a great look at what appears to be a very fun golf course to play.  

It is nice to see a golf course that still looks like a classic and hasn't been over worked by an Open Doctor.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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A_Clay_Man

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2003, 01:22:44 PM »
My impressions are that Chicago should've followed the hoopla at Bethpage.

I wonder if the pga guys would've showed up if it was held at Butler? ;D or is that a usga mandate too?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Ron Kern

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2003, 03:17:04 PM »
Just noticed:

Driving Statistics:  Top 29 are 300+ yds!

http://www.usopen.com/scoring/drive.htm



Ron Kern
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:06 PM by -1 »
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Mike_Cirba

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2003, 09:39:17 AM »
Ron;

Just imagine if conditions were dry and favorable.  

I also didn't realize that veteran Lee Janzen is now a long-bomber.  

Wow, time to listen to Brad Miller, Geoffrey, and others and update my mid-80's equipment!!  ;) ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Andrew_Roberts

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #14 on: June 14, 2003, 10:14:50 PM »
The fairways are firm and the golf ball is becoming out of hand.  Johnathan Byrd had 77 yards into 18.  A 460 hole or 385 drive downwind.  And some of the long hitters are using 3 wood off of the 6th hole which happens to be a driving hole.  For example TW.  312 301 321 286 263 289     295.3

I believe Tiger only used Driver on two of these drives, the first and 3rd drives.  He somewhat skyed the 263 3wood into the wind.  A short 3 wood.

But Len Mattice is last with 255.3 with a 92 yard toe job on hole six today.  That tee looks tight and I am guessing he hit a tree.  After further study, I am guessing Cliff Kresge did the same thing with his 130 yard drive.  That must be a tight tee because Woody Austin did the same thing with his 148 tee shot.  They must of hit the trees unless they flat out topped it but I've only seen Garcia do that when he won at Colonial.  He hit a 150 yard ground burner on the long par 5 on the back a couple of years ago.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:06 PM by -1 »
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Dan Grossman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #15 on: June 14, 2003, 11:09:21 PM »
It took me a while, but I am now fully convinced that the golf ball is going too far.  Yesterday, I played 18 holes at Ottawa Park in Toledo, OH which has a number of drivable par 4s.  I played this course in high school (about 8-10 years ago)  when I generally swung harder and hit driver off the tee.  (I now hit 3wood mostly).  There were MANY more holes that were drivable yesterday than in 1995.  I only tried to drive one green (because the group in front of us was slow) and I hit it OVER that green.  It was a flat 250 yard hole on which I hit three wood.  It was wet out, so I it flew the entire way.  On #9, (a 300 yd hole), I tried to hit 2iron to just in front of the green and I one hopped it into the front bunker (about 250 yds from the tee or so).  There was no way I could hit it this far in high school.  

Last month, I played 18 holes with my father's clubs in Florida.  I didn't bring mine, so I was subjected to the golf balls that I could find in his bag.  He hadn't been playing in 2 or 3 years, so I found a sleeve of Titeliest Professionals.  It took me a while to figure out why I could only hit a 3 wood 230 yards off the tee.  Initially, I thought the balls were bad, but then I realized that the ProVI is just that far.  

Go figure.   :-/
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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brad_miller

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Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2003, 02:10:53 AM »
Mike, Geoff and I just want you to have a "chance" in our friendly individual and team matches :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Steve Lapper

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Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2003, 02:28:56 AM »

Quote
Mike, Geoff and I just want you to have a "chance" in our friendly individual and team matches :)

If that's the case...we'll have to give you, Brad more strokes! ;D ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

Mike_Cirba

Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2003, 02:33:54 AM »
Brad/Steve;

ALL of us will be needing more strokes if we don't get some bettter sleep.

What the heck are you guys doing up at 4:30am?! ;) ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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brad_miller

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Report from U.S. Open
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2003, 02:46:04 AM »
I'am about to play a Rees Jones course and I'am so excited I can't sleep.  :) Slapper I am going to put a womping on you this weekend, how many did I give you last time? This time its mano/mano(slapper did kick my butt last time, the 2 aside just added insult to injury and cost)

Mike, I have just returned from a week across the pond, regretfully without my sticks.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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