Western Intercollegiate - Pasatiempo

[Mike Benham]

A few weeks ago, off of a post-mortum thread from the King's Putter at Pasatiempo, someone (me) was curious to see how the college kids played Pasatiempo in the Western Intercollegiate.

The 3-round tournament finished on Tuesday and the link below gives the details.

The medalist was "only" 2-under 208 for the 3-rounds ... the weather was pretty nice around here those days so the conditions might have been firm and fast (maybe Pete Galea snuck over there to watch some of the action).

Huckaby will be happy to see that a SCU Bronco finished 10th ... and the team, second to last ...

http://www.sjsuspartans.com/article.asp?articleid=42813

[THuckaby2]

Thanks for the wrapup, Mike.  I hadn't checked the scores today but I did yesterday and they were a lot higher than I expected... in previous years it sure seemed to me the college boys got way under par.  Of course if SCU is in it, that just goes to show how the quality of player has suffered... Our golf program isn't exactly Oklahoma State, let's just say.  It is obviously getting better though...

In any case, this does kinda make one feel a little better about his own tough times at this course.  Not thinking of anyone in particular as I slip to the third person....  

TH

[Lou_Duran]

It is tough, but the boys do play the course differently than us.  JohnV, I believe, was telling us that the college players were going at #7 with a driver in a prior year and getting it on!  On the tee it looks like you're threading a needle.  My own attempt to keep it between the trees was with a four iron and I damned near peppered Dr. MacKenzie's house (did make a nice 5 from there).  My drive on 10 was 250y from the green, and a full 120y behind flat-bellied Jeff Forstson!  It is good to see that such a "short" course can withstand all that power.  

[THuckaby2]

Hmmm... another way to look at this is, put the pins in evil enough places and it doesn't matter if we have pros play from the red tees, scores will be high.  I have no idea if that occurred at Pasa for the W.I., but given those guys can and do drive 7 green and get it over the hill on 10 routinely, evil pins and quickening up the greens would be Pasa's only "defense."

And as many of you know, there are spots for some REALLY evil pins there....

TH

[GeoffreyC]

Really -  Drive the 7th green?     Thats over 350 uphill through a narrow shoot of trees. The food in college dorms must be getting better or alternatively the equipment and balls  

Actually I now see that driver isn't a bad play even for mortals like us as the landing area is much wider past iron or 3 wood range.

[THuckaby2]

GC - I find it astounding as well, and I've never seen it, but I have heard from other sources besides JV that the youngsters can do this.  Perhaps this is more testimony for the "ball go TOO far" campaign!

TH

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

That is incredible. I could see running a 3 wood up close( within 75 yards or so) but to actually try to drive that green and succeed is amazing.

[THuckaby2]

redanman, I want to maintain the delusion that my best game is still halfway decent.  Now why would I go and ruin that?  Ignorance really is bliss.  

TH