[Matt_Ward]

The Barclays event this week at Ridgewood CC in Parmus, NJ will make for interesting viewing for thos not familiar with the layout.

The storied Tillinghast layout has hosted such big time events as the '35 Ryder Cup, the '74 US Amateur (Jerry Pate), the '90 Senior Open (Lee Trevino), the '01 Senior PGA (Tom Watson) and now hosting, what was once the former Westchester Classic, the first leg of the FedEx Cup series.

Ridgewood has three nines and what's fascinating is that all three nines will be used for the composite course.

Total length will be just over 7,300 yards and a par of 71.

I like the idea that the 1st hole on the East will serve as the starting hole because one has to go back to the '74 US Amateur when it was used to host a big time event -- not counting the LPGA event played there years ago.

The strength of the course will be the center section -- starting from the famed short hole the 5th at 291 yards all the way through the 12th -- which normally is the 2nd on the Center Nine and plays as a par-5 but will play as a par-4 for the duration of the week.

It's good to see a storied layout still be a part of modern golf -- in future years this event will then move to Liberty National -- in Jersey City. If dry conditions should prevail for the balance of the week it will be interesting to see how firm and fast the course can play and what impact that has with scoring.

 

[JSlonis]

Matt,

I agree, Ridgewood should make for some interesting golf.  Glad to hear that they are going to be playing the "nickel & dime" hole.  My best friend grew up playing at Ridgewood, so I've had the opportunity to play ther quite a bit, it's always been one of my favorite courses in NJ.  I did some volunteer work there during the 1990 Sr. Open.

Are the closing holes going to be the normal route of the West Nine?

[Matt_Ward]

JSlonis:

Yes, they will play the entire West starting with the 4th hole on the West -- which will play as the 13th for the event (626 yards / par-5).

Kudos to the club, Barclays and the PGA Tour for the configuration. It seems all of the key holes will be on display and it will benefit everyone to see how Ridgewood can handle the world's best players.

Shaping tee shots will be the key this week at Ridgewood. Those without driving accuracy will have a tough time there. I don't foresee a bomb and gouge player doing well there but one can never say for certain.

Be very much interested in seeing how the course handles the logistical dimensions. Thank heavens Bergen County has blue laws for Sundays because it will help negotiate that wonderful transporation road otherwise known as Rte 17 !

[JSlonis]

I recall during the Sr Open that there were shuttles from a nearby community college that was used for parking.

[Jim Franklin]

So whose game is fit for the composite at Ridgewood? Do you need to be long, good putter, accurate? Does Ridgewood favor any particular player?

[Bill Brightly]

This will be like playing an Open Course, IMO, depending on how hard and fast they let they greens get. They will propbably not have it at typical US OPen conditions, so the scores will be better, so I think you will see scores similar to what they shot at Westchester.  It is a great old course with LOTS of contour on the greens. The added length will take short drivers out of contention.

[tlavin]

I've never played it, but I'm looking forward to seeing it on television again.  The course really fits my eye!

[David Panzarasa]

So whose game is fit for the composite at Ridgewood? Do you need to be long, good putter, accurate? Does Ridgewood favor any particular player?

It will favor the "shot makers". Not the same look, but people that do good at Harbor Town, Riviera etc.. should show up well here.

[Matt_Ward]

For those seeking out favorites -- look for players like a David Toms type. Ridgewood favors smart driving of the ball -- the added length and turning points on many of the holes really don't favor the bomb'n gouge type player.

If Adam Scott is on he would be another name to watch. I don't see Lefty faring well at Ridgewood.

Of course -- how can anyone rule out Padraig given his late summer surge.

[Greg Stebbins]

I would look for guys who prefer to draw their driver.  Every par 4 and 5 with the exception of 9 west (#18) favors a draw.  In many instances, a draw is necessary to get around a tree to the preferred side of the fairway.

The course rarely rewards aggressive play so the plodders should do well.

[igrowgrass]

I would look for guys who prefer to draw their driver.  Every par 4 and 5 with the exception of 9 west (#18) favors a draw.  In many instances, a draw is necessary to get around a tree to the preferred side of the fairway.

The course rarely rewards aggressive play so the plodders should do well.

http://www.rcc1890.com/course-photos/championship-course-the-barclays-august-18-24-2008/

Have a friend working the event this week, his description of course conditions:  'MINT'

[Dan Herrmann]

Sean/Matt - what are the logistics if I were to drive up from Philly?  I know traffic on the GSP can be a nightmare, but this looks like it'd be a really cool event to attend in person.

[Matt_Ward]

Dan:

There's a couple of ways to do it.

If you favor taking the train it can work -- NJ Transit has a station connection via the Bergen line into Glen Rock. From there you get bus transportation gratis to the club. This way you can avoid taking the car.

If you must take the car head north via NJ Tpke to Exit 11 and then access GS Pkwy going north. Take to the first exit beyond the Bergen toll plaza (there's no toll on the north side) -- the exit is named Passaic Avenue (Rochelle Park). At the bottom of the ramp turn left. You will pass over Rte 4 and on your immediate right will be Arcola CC. Continue on the road (it will be called Paramus Road) when you cross over the highway. Go another 2 miles and you will see signs for Bergen Community College -- there is ample parking at the school for those going to the tournament. Parking is $10 for the day. Those in the far lots will be bussed into the club.

Either option works -- although I favor the train situation because you'll save more on gas, tolls, and hassle.

Hope to see you and others there this weekend.

[Jason Topp]

Matt:

Did they alter the course for the tournament? 

Dean:

That slide show is really terrific although I could not figure out how to see past the 4th hole.

[Matt_Ward]

Jason:

What do you mean by "alter the course?"

Ridgewood is a 27-hole layout and they have smartly included the key holes from the three nines.

One of the more challenging holes will be par-4 12th -- 475 yards uphill. Normally, this is the 2nd hole on the Center and plays as a long par-5. If the hole plays into the prevailing SW wind it will play much longer.

[Jason Topp]

Jason:

What do you mean by "alter the course?"

Ridgewood is a 27-hole layout and they have smartly included the key holes from the three nines.

One of the more challenging holes will be par-4 12th -- 475 yards uphill. Normally, this is the 2nd hole on the Center and plays as a long par-5. If the hole plays into the prevailing SW wind it will play much longer.

I know they are playing a composite.  I meant narrowing fairways, lenghtening holes, moving bunkers.  Did they do anything to toughen the course that might change the way it plays for the members?

[Matt_Ward]

Jason:

Let me put it this way -- the course was not altered to the tune of a Torrey Pines / South or Oakland Hills / South. No doubt the added length is something most members would not handle. Ditto the need to work the ball from such tees to get to favorable fairway positions.

I think the course is set-up properly to provide the healthy balance between the need for scoring when executed properly and penalizing people proportionally when they don't hit the proper shots.

[Jason Topp]

Jason:

Let me put it this way -- the course was not altered to the tune of a Torrey Pines / South or Oakland Hills / South. No doubt the added length is something most members would not handle. Ditto the need to work the ball from such tees to get to favorable fairway positions.

I think the course is set-up properly to provide the healthy balance between the need for scoring when executed properly and penalizing people proportionally when they don't hit the proper shots.

Matt:

I'm not sure I understand your answer, but I look forward to watching.

[Bill Brightly]

The 7th and 12th holes are par 5's converted to par 4's from the red tees.

The Par 5  13th, normally 4 West, will use a tee box from 7 center to make the hole 626. I think that's all they did to get it up to 7300 yards.

Here is 12:






Par 5 13th, 626 yds. Second shot must be long enough to clear this mogel field







Here is the approach on #5 (Five and Dime, 291 yd Par 4)





And check out this little green!







Par 4 Hole 14 (5 West) is just a fantastic hole





Par 5 17 (8 West) If you hit a good drive, this is your second shot


looking back at this pros second shot





A good second sgot leave a wedge to the green, which slopes severly from right to left




From behind 18th tee


18th green

[Matt_Ward]

Jason:

Ridgewood is not set-up in an overly penal way. That's what I meant.

Scores can be had but won't be given away with so-so execution.

[Dan Herrmann]

Boy, is that a fine looking golf course.   

I know where I'm spending my Saturday.

[David Panzarasa]

during the practice rounds and the tournament, I will be money you will hear tons of golfers praising the course, and the want/need to play more courses like this. Sadly it will be moving to Liberty National, but you will here the pros saying just how good and fun this type of layout it to play.

[Matt_Ward]

David:

You are spot on.

Ridgewood is a good follow-up to what the pros experienced at Westchester CC. The parksland site belies the fact of the amount of congestion that envelopes the course.

There will be plenty of parking off-site and thank heavens for Bergen County's blue laws because it will help diminish the daily insanity that calls itself Rte 17.

One last thought -- I also agree with a point raised previously that shot shaping will be once more in view with this event at Ridgewood. I'm looking forward to a very interesting week.

Too bad Tiger is not present -- but it would seem doubtful that he would have played otherwise.

[Dan Herrmann]

David/Matt,
On Chris DiMarco's show this morning on XM146, he said that The Barclays would be rotating through metro NY courses.  I think he said it'd be back at Westchester in 2012.

Liberty National is apparently (accoring to DiMarco) a one year stop.

[David Panzarasa]

Dan,
 Hope that is true. Would be a great idea to rotate courses every year. But having the tournament at Liberty as it's "home", just not the course I would like to see. Ridgewood is truly a course I would love to watch the pro's play on in the Metro area.
 Gets boring watching these long courses with no character on hosting PGA events. I know Harbor Town is not a favorite of many here, but at least it has some character and length is not the key to winning. I know Matt and many others can give a list of courses in the Met area that would be fun to watch a PGA event held on. Obviously some would be impossible do to property size. This should be a great week, and really looking forward to hearing what the pro's say about it

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