Golfdom Oakland Hills Podcast

Larry Aylward asks me about Oakland Hills, the groove rule change and a possible winner.

Gabcast! On Donald's Design #1

Comments

[Kris Spence]

Geoff, I enjoyed your pod cast and agree with your assessment of OH, I think you will be pleasantly suprised that there will be more to talk about next week from Greensboro NC than you realize. The Tour is returning to Sedgefield CC a 1926 Donald Ross design that is true to form in every sense. While not nearly as difficult as OH, Sedgefield has great topographic variety, subtle yet abundant angles, twist and turns, visual deception and a fabulous set of Ross greens that will hold their own with any.

As a party in the course preparation at Greensboro, the current Tour requirements to narrow fairways around 25 to 28 paces and grow the rough to + 2 inches contradicts every philisophical bone in my body, but with the equipment the way it is and the demands of tournaments to stand tall and be respectable (their words) we unfortunately have no choice until we get the equipment and balls under control. In the end, we have prepared Sedgefield in a manner that will rely heavily on the firmness / speed of the greens and closely mown surrounds and most importantly the strategic placement of the holes. it will play around 7,100 yards par 70 and I expect the scoring to be better than average if the heat and humidity keep the greens soft.

Sedgefield is blessed with a very talented young super named Keith Wood and he has the course in incredible shape. The putting surfaces are healthy and strong for a summer event and It appears as if he will be able to run the greens in the 12 range Tour permitting.

I think the golf world is in for a treat when the tour returns next week and I look forward to hearing and seeing the Tour get a fully authentic dose of what Ross was all about.

[Geoff]

Kris,
Thanks for the comments and we do look forward to next week. Hopefully I'll remember to highlight your post come next week!
Geoff