Think you could break 100?

[DUKIECB]

In this months Golf Digest there is a contest you can enter to win a round of golf with 3 other celebrities at Torrey Pines, the site of this years U.S. Open.

Last year, Tiger said that a 10 handicapper couldn't break 100 at Oakmont in those conditions. So now they are going to give someone a chance.

The round will be played a couple of days before the tournament is set to begin. The entire round will be filmed by NBC cameras and televised before one of the tournament rounds! Talk about being nervous! The PGA has agreed to set the course up to tournament conditions and players will play from the tips.

Anybody here think they could even come close?

[BlueDevilBaby]

no. Would be fun to try though.

[kexman]

I interviewed at the Salk Institute a few years ago which is adjacent to Torrey Pines. I couldn't pass up the chance so I went over and rented clubs. It was the spring so it was my first time out for the year. The course was not set up for a tournament and I played from normal tees. It was a blast to play and I look forward to watching it on TV.

I didn't think the course was that difficult although there was no rough to speak of and the greens were normal speed. I think if I played from the tips it would probably add almost a shot a hole to my game...it is a big difference. 3 inch rough could add several more:)

I would love the chance to try!

[ugadevil]

I could break 100, if we stopped after 9 holes...maybe.

[Channing]

I could break 100, if we stopped after 9 holes...maybe.

have you played the UGA course since they reopened it two novembers ago? I like the course - but they buggered up the greens making them kind of silly.

As for being able to break 100 - I did break 100 at Torry Pines North Course (playing from the tips - although the North is the easier of the two) a few years ago when I was in San Diego. However, Im sure the rough, greens, and pin placements were nowhere near what they will be for the Open.

[blazindw]

I could do it. Sign me up.

[hurleyfor3]

I don't think they can make Torry Pines as hard as they made Oakmont. They can't grow the rough as high, the greens are nowhere as severe, the architecture of the holes themselves isn't as vexing.

I was at last year's Open and played Oakmont several times as a kid. Nowadays I'd be happy to break 90 at Oakmont under normal conditions, but from what I saw would be terrified to play it under Open conditions.

BTW, one creepy thought about Torrey Pines. The beach right below it (Black's Beach) is unofficially nude. While they're playing the Open there will be 60-year-old naked guys wandering around a 6-iron shot away.

[Clipsfan]

I'd like to think that with the proper course management I'd be able to break 100. That would probably mean that I wouldn't hit driver on every hole as I try hard to make sure I avoid the rough, and that I'd play just to hit greens and 2-3 putt each one. That's not the bravest approach, but might work. Of course, I've never tried to putt with a TV camera recording it.

I bet DukeTaylor thinks he would be able to break 100 :)

[CMS2478]

I have broken a 100..........100 windows of the houses that line the courses. :(

[pamtar]

BTW, one creepy thought about Torrey Pines. The beach right below it (Black's Beach) is unofficially nude. While they're playing the Open there will be 60-year-old naked guys wandering around a 6-iron shot away.

I've surfed Black's on four different occasions and never seen any nudies.

[hurleyfor3]

I've surfed Black's on four different occasions and never seen any nudies.

Trust me. Also, Google is your friend.

[ugadevil]

have you played the UGA course since they reopened it two novembers ago? I like the course - but they buggered up the greens making them kind of silly.


Ironically, I've played the Duke course but haven't played the UGA course. I'd like to get over there and play sometime but they've developed a pretty bad reputation about being flexible with people who want to come out and walk nine or if you want to play by yourself. They prefer foursomes in carts, which just doesn't work for some of us. It's a university course, not a country club.

[greybeard]

Didn't they make changes to both courses a few years ago to increase their difficulty?

What's up with all this recent play of the Open on public courses? This makes the third in about five years if you consider paying three bills to play at Peeble playing public.

What's the next public venue for the Open. I'm not too familiar, have not played in too many cities, but Rancho Park in Westwood used to host big time tournaments and the course across the lake from Olympic also is an attractive track.

Any others come to mind that could be dressed up to host the big one?

[Channing]

Obviously they are very careful as to where they play the Open. I think, I could be wrong, there are three muni courses on the Opens rotation list: Beth Page Black, Cog Hill (Chicago) and Torry Pines.

[hurleyfor3]

Obviously they are very careful as to where they play the Open. I think, I could be wrong, there are three muni courses on the Opens rotation list: Beth Page Black, Cog Hill (Chicago) and Torry Pines.

Cog Hill has never held a US Open, or even a PGA. The Chicago courses that have held recent major championships are Olympia Fields (2003 Open) and Medinah (2006 PGA). Both are private.

Pinehurst is privately owned, but available for play by the public, as of course is Pebble.