[JSlonis]

Santa Teresa GC, San Jose, CA.

Only they have to institute a new rule - reigning club match play champion gets a spot in the field, as #64 seed.

That would have meant on Tuesday:

Woods (1) v. Huckaby (16)

Bring him on...
 

Huck,

Think you could last longer than Stephen Ames?

[Tim Gavrich]

Fenwick, in late March (chilly, possibly rainy/windy)

Actually, it might be fun to see it at ANGC, if only to see the players play it differently under match play circumstances.

[JESII]

I suspect there would be less chances taken from the tee at any course in a match play scenario when compared to medal play...anyone disagree?

[Jim Nugent]

Santa Teresa GC, San Jose, CA.

Only they have to institute a new rule - reigning club match play champion gets a spot in the field, as #64 seed.

That would have meant on Tuesday:

Woods (1) v. Huckaby (16)

Bring him on...
 

Huck,

Think you could last longer than Stephen Ames?

Tiger is 7 under thru 12 holes in his 3rd match.  Yet he is only 1 up on Bads. 

[Peter Pallotta]

Olympic - if for no other reason than I'd like to see it again.

JES - on what course (or type of course) would you be just as aggressive off the tee in match play as you would in stroke play?

Edit: And if there aren't any, what does that say (or not) about the concept of certain courses being better for match/stroke play

Thanks, P

[Tom Huckaby]

I've been giving this some thought.  There's no doubt that Tiger could fire a brainless 64 or so at the beloved Santa Teresa - give him a decently hot putter and he'd go much lower.  If anything ST is far easier than the course they're playing this week.

So say 63 is an OK score (-8).  75 is an OK score for me.  That means he beats me by 12.  SO...  6 a side.

Which leads me to believe I would last longer than Ames.  Remember, Tiger also wouldn't be pissed at me - I'd charm his socks off.

So I think I last until the end of 11.  He beats me 9&7.

But it sure as hell would be a fun 11 holes!

TH

[JESII]

JES - on what course (or type of course) would you be just as aggressive off the tee in match play as you would in stroke play?

Edit: And if there aren't any, what does that say (or not) about the concept of certain courses being better for match/stroke play

Thanks, P

A course with very little risk / reward to its tee shots...

[Phil Benedict]

Which leads me to believe I would last longer than Ames.  Remember, Tiger also wouldn't be pissed at me - I'd charm his socks off.

TH

Maybe you could throw a rubber snake at him on the first tee.

[George Pazin]

I've always been under the impression that match play is thought to encourage bold, aggressive play, as the most it can cost you is one hole.

How bad did Tiger beat Aames? 9 & 8? I don't think he'd beat me worse than 10 & 8, but he just might find a way.

[Tom Huckaby]

I've always been under the impression that match play is thought to encourage bold, aggressive play, as the most it can cost you is one hole.

How bad did Tiger beat Aames? 9 & 8? I don't think he'd beat me worse than 10 & 8, but he just might find a way.

If he could to that, George, we might just have to anoint him God after all.
 

[Brent Hutto]

George,

But just think, if you managed to take him past the tenth hole you'd dine out on that story for the rest of your life...

It's like the old Far Side cartoon where two spiders have built a web closing off the bottom of a sliding board. There's a hugely fat kid at the top about the come down and one spider says "Sure it's a long shot but if we pull this off we'll eat like kings!"

[JESII]

I've always been under the impression that match play is thought to encourage bold, aggressive play, as the most it can cost you is one hole.

I think I would agree with that on approaches to greens, but not tee shots...there should be no reason to dump it in the soup when you can only improve your position by one hole...and to do that you still have follow up the risky drive with very good shots...

I made the initial comment as a response to Tim's suggestion of Augusta...not that I disagree with Augusta, I just doubt you'll see guys trying to sling it around the corner on 13 any more than they already do because if they dump it in the water, the hole is over.

Successful match play players make their opponents play every hole to the finish...early concessions are a killer for confidence and momentum.

[Steve Kline]

As Bobby Jones would say about match play - his competition was Old Man Par. JES is right - the guys that win the most in match play don't make mistakes. They keep the pressure on the other guy by hitting fairways and greens. You never pull off all the risks you take so a guy that takes too many in match will inevitably give away a few holes. And in a match of relatively even players that is too much to overcome. Oddly enough that is how Tiger and Jack approach stroke play majors as well.

[JMorgan]

My rather eclectic 7 (with method to madness):

Adelaide
Barnbougle
Morfontaine
Portmarnock
San Francisco
Woodhall Spa
Yeamans Hall

[Dean Stokes]

As Bobby Jones would say about match play - his competition was Old Man Par. JES is right - the guys that win the most in match play don't make mistakes. They keep the pressure on the other guy by hitting fairways and greens. You never pull off all the risks you take so a guy that takes too many in match will inevitably give away a few holes. And in a match of relatively even players that is too much to overcome. Oddly enough that is how Tiger and Jack approach stroke play majors as well.

Old man par worked before the advent of 350 yard drives. Mickelson lost the other day and said he was 6/7 under par. Par does not win anything at that level anymore. As for Jes saying #13 at Augusta is over if you dump one in the creek from the tee - I find that a little presumptuous to think that all opponents are going to birdie that hole. Could a player not drop the ball, sling a low 8 iron round the corner, wedge to five feet and hole the putt for a half in 5's? Or maybe a win.

[JESII]

Dean,

Are you suggesting that top players would try that ultra aggressive drive on the 13th tee at Augusta in a match play event and not in a stroke play event? If not, exactly what is your point? That those guys could potentially make a par if they drove it in the creek...

[J Sadowsky]

I'm schocked that I have to give it the first vote, but

1) Pine Valley
2) RCD
3) Oakmont
4) Chicago
5) Cape Kidnappers
6) Engineers
7) Kiawah
NGLA
9) Pac Dunes
10) Ka'olou

[John Moore II]

Ranking:
1.  Cypress Point
2. The Ocean Course
3. Barnbougle Dunes
4. Carnoustie
5. Seminole
6. Cape Kidnappers
7. Whistling Straits
8. NGLA
9. The Old Course
10. Ko'olau

And any other place that wind and extreme elements can come into play.

[Steve Kline]

Dean - Jones' point wasn't necessarily that he would try for par on every but that he was playing against the course and trying to make the best possible score on the hole he could. The same still applies today. Make the best possible score on the hole that you can. To do that you have to play your game and not do something - say go for a par five in two - just because your opponent did it.

[W.H. Cosgrove]

Mike:

Wouldn't they just light up Sunningdale now?  Or would it still be interesting if they did?

I've been in Bandon the last two days.  Wednesday it was calm and sunny and someone might have shot 61.  This afternoon the wind came up and the last five holes at Pacific Dunes would have knocked someone's teeth out.

This is exactly why either Bandon Dunes or Pac dunes would make great match play and lesser medal play tracks.  I think we'll see Chambers as a very good match play course in the 2010 amateur.  I haven't played Whistling straights but would guess that would also make a strong match venue. 

I just love it when you forget the score and just have a couple of palayers go at it in tough conditions.
C

[Tim Nugent]

 Instead of just throwing out names of marquee courses, how about determing what would make a good 'match play' test for players with their skill set. For me, anywhere that the greens are on the smaller side, and firm - with enough contour  to create sectioned greens because all golf for these guys is a chipping and putting contest anymore. Throw-in some healthy wind to make them think about club selection and it could be fun to watch.
PS. I liked the Tobacco Road call and am a bit surprised not to see any love for Pinehurst.

[Gib Carpenter]

Well, I'd love to send 'em to Waterville, and pray for wind

It's The longest (7300 yds) course in Ireland and historically is considered to be the windiest (although I guess Old Head could challenge for that title). Haven't been there in a couple of years but last I heard even with Tiger, O'Meara, Appleby et al regularly stopping by to prep for the Open nobody has yet broken 70 from the tips.

The Hackett 18 (from the original 9) was great before, but with the work that Doak did a while back and the two new holes Fazio put in (both tremendous improvements IMO) I think it's as good a links course as any & the remote & beautiful setting is unmatched, better even than thatat County Down for my money. 

[David Stamm]

In the U.S.


CPC
Riviera
Pine Valley
NGLA

...and as flyers, Rustic Canyon and Sand Hills.


Over seas

TOC
Royal County Down
Royal Dornoch
Sunningdale (either)
Royal Melbourne
Kingston Heath


...and as flyers, Pennard and Rye in very heavy winds!

[Sean_A]

In the U.S.


CPC
Riviera
Pine Valley
NGLA

...and as flyers, Rustic Canyon and Sand Hills.


Over seas

TOC
Royal County Down
Royal Dornoch
Sunningdale (either)
Royal Melbourne
Kingston Heath


...and as flyers, Pennard and Rye in very heavy winds!

David

I am afraid Pennard would have to have high winds, harsh rough (no animals eating the rough down) and the tourny would have to be in August during a hot summer.  It would be very entertaining because pros would certainly have to figure out the ground game.  In milder conditions top pros would be putting for birdie nearly every hole - not terribly exciting to watch. 

I do like the choice of Rye though!  Imagine a 5 C February day with a brisk 15mph wind.  The course can be had, but it still takes savy golf.  I think this would be terrific entertainment.

Ciao

[Garland Bayley]

Nanea, Hawaii
Fancourt, South Africa

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