June 2, 2008

PERU, IN — Captains Club member Pat Boland was found lounging around on his very hot week in St. Louis, MO. The winner of nothing was confronted as one participant with Rock Hollow Golf Club experience. The topic was simple. What is the key to the Golden Jacket?

The surprising conversation started and concluded with "position".

"There has been an extreme focus on water hazards and some focus on the bunkers," says Boland while enjoying the sweaty soupy Missouri air. "This year's jacket has nothing to do with driver. It is also not about 3 and 4 putting on huge greens like last year.

It all boils down to position. You must pick spots out there even if you are a hacker. The course allows each golfer to position himself in the fairway to hit his favorite approach iron. Hitting driver is jail and completely unncessary on several holes. You must setup yourself well for 18 critical approach shots. Missing greens at Rock Hollow is penal like never before."

The number of greens hit with a par putt or better could very well determine who wins the Carl Spackler Open Championship this year. Hitting those greens even from 30 yards can be tricky.

"Tim Liddy has studied amateur golfers," says Boland of the course designer. "You can tell Pete Dye was over his shoulder. He knows where we hit the ball and our comfort zones. He has placed bunkers, brush, and water to ensure we are never comfortable and always thinking."

"Players looking for a standard round are damn fools," says Boland. "They stand to be eaten alive and possibly wearing a couple of outfits. Position my friends will be the key to the Jacket and probably key to the outfits."

Boland speaks from experience after playing a practice round two weeks ago. "I did have a heart attack since Michigan, but 52 strokes on the front nine is no lie. You need to be ready to do battle."

Bob Morris played with Pat Boland and also shot 52 on the front nine.

"There are 18 solid character driven holes out there," says Bob Morris. "Nothing is standard and every hole is something different."

Pat Boland was asked about his strategy. "I am not going to give you my game plan. [Boland removes a pocket notebook from his back pocket. Flips it to page 2 or 3.] I will share some notes about the course.

The largest green at Rock Hollow is the 14th reaching 147 feet from front to back. It is very deep.

The widest fairway is located at the 9th hole. Missing that fairway is like missing the 15th fairway at the Grande.

The longest hole, the 6th hole, is 571 yards with an uphill approach shot. It has the tightest fairway and it gets tighter as you play it.

The shortest hole by crow is the 1st hole at 260 yards.

The largest waste bunker is 150 yards at the 16th hole. It circles around the back of the green.

The most difficult is the 18th hole and it is punishing. That is a round killer.

The 1st, 8th, and 13th holes have greens just 17 yards wide. The longest drive required is at the 2nd hole. The 'rock' tees require 201 yards off the tee on the fly.

That is all that I will be sharing."

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins on June 5. The Skills Challenge Contest returns on Thursday after Round 1. The contest will start on the practice green.