Course condition Blue Monster Doral

[birdiechris]

before the WGC Championship

Going to Miami from 9 and 22 February. Thinking about playing the Blue Monster.
On the homepage the say: "*The TPC Blue Monster will be CART PATH ONLY from January 1st thru March 5th in preparation for the WGC Cadillac Championship taking place March 6th - 13th, 2011. In addition, as we gear up for the WGC Cadillac Championship, we'd like to inform you that some of the tournament set up will be occurring on the golf grounds surrounding the course from Feb 1st thru March 5th"

However is it possible to walk the course, because for me it makes more sense / think it is quicker than staying on the cartpaths?

Does anyone know what the condition especially the greens look like before the WGC tournament? Do they let them grow and cut them shortly before the tournament, or can I already expect Tour green speed?

Is the range open? What about the back tees?

I just want to make sure that I don't spend 200+ on a overseeded course with slow greens :-)

[Roberta131]

I have played the Blue Monster just before the tournament each year for many years. I always take a caddie.
The course is always in perfect condition(I cannot say the same for the other Doral courses) and the greens excellent and I have never had a problem with slow speed though I cannot attest to them being tour fast. The bermuda rough is brutal. I dont play the tips and I am not sure if they are open. The range is definitely open and the bleachers etc will be up as well which is fun.

It is not 200+. Be prepared to spend significantly more than that especialy with a caddie.