I am STOKED about this weeks Field's Open

Big D McGee · February 20, 2006

Held at a G.C. I've played!!

I'm pretty excited about this week's Field's Open in Hawai'i. Sure, it'll be cool to see Pressel, Creamer, Gulbis, and Wie compete. But what's really cool is that the tournament will be held at the Ko Olina Golf Club, a course I played last November! I'm really looking forward to seein the pros tackle this course. I don't think it will be especially hard for them, although there are quite a few testers. Should be a fun viewing experience!

pitbull808 · February 20, 2006

Ready to be even more stoked??? Russ and I will be down there on Wednesday. Hopefully if all works out right, we'll get some good bag pics and even better player pics then we had at the Sony. ;)

Big D McGee · February 20, 2006

^^Great news! I'd love to see WITB of Ai Miyazato, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer...to name a few!

Reid, do you think Wie has an advantage, inasmuch as she practices at Ko Olina, and it's her "home course"?

pitbull808 · February 20, 2006

^^Great news! I'd love to see WITB of Ai Miyazato, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer...to name a few!

Reid, do you think Wie has an advantage, inasmuch as she practices at Ko Olina, and it's her "home course"?

As for having the advantage..she should. She's the only one used to the greens and the course. But it all changes once you add on the pressure of fan's, media coverage and most of all it's a tournament. It's still golf and she's still playing against the best proven women in the world. It should be a challenge for all and a really interesting one for the fans of all players.

Big D McGee · February 20, 2006

How much for tickets to the tourney? I'm thinking of going to the Shoprite Tournament in June (it's the only Pro golf tourney close enough to check out), and it's dirt cheap, like $15 for any one round.

Debit · February 21, 2006

It should be a great tournament. The ladies have been in Hawaii for over a week and the first time jitters were addressed last week. As for an advantage because it's her home course -- probably not. The LPGA will set the course so any distances, especially off the tee, that Wie may have practiced will be bogus. The rough will be different as will the greens. No course superintendent in his/her right mind would expect the public to play on a tournament course in tournament condition. First, because a round would last forever, and second, even the best/better golfers would be so frustrated that no one would have any fun. Play a local muni that is used for a PGA event. Even with the rough substantially hacked down, the greens softened and slowed, and the fairways widened -- it's a bear. The course is closed for 3-4 days after the event to allow the grounds crew to "civilize" it again for mere mortals to enjoy the experience.

Big D McGee · February 21, 2006

^^All good points. I wonder if the average spectator realizes this? I wonder if Wie actually has added pressure to do well since it's her home course?

Reid, I'd love to hear how the course is set up for tourney play. Specifically, where will the galleries stand on the first tee? The distance from the driving range/putting green to the first tee is only a matter of a few paces. It'll be really cool to see how they pull it off.

A great feature when playing Ko Olina is the fact that there are no parallell fairways. However, I assume this will make it difficult to see more than one golfer at a time? Also, it will be quite a hike for the ladies, including going through an underground tunnel from #1-#2, and up about a 10' ramp to get from #10-#11. It will be nice to hear how they deal with that.