May 18, 2005

POTTSVILLE, PA — "You got to know when to hold and when to fold them," says Kyle Marti.  "Mountain Valley demands you fold them constantly."  Kyle Marti refers to the ability to play well at Mountain Valley is the mental strength inside.  The strength that allows the big man inside to just hit the 5-iron off the tee.

Several players in the field have given their opinions about what it will take this year to win the coveted jacket.  The consensus is course management is key like no other in Spackler history.  

Greg Long agrees with Kyle Marti.  "Anyone who plays driver more than twice on Saturday is not very smart," says Long.  "Oak #8 and Pine #8 on Saturday for sure, but that is probably it.  Your ability to choose the right club is critical at the very short Mountain Valley."

Long talked about the shortest hole in Spackler history (Pine #9) clearly being the largest sucker hole in Spackler history.  "I have never seen a somewhat wide-open par 4 that is so penal with the driver.  It plays only 314, but the smart play is 7-iron off the tee for most.  I might play 8-iron after being penalized with driver."  Five players have submitted scorecards for the sucker hole.  The current count is a one par, one bogey, one double, one triple, and one quad.

Jamie Myers played the course last week.  "The course is very short, but also extremely penal.  The forest is so tight on Pine #6 (picture shown) that 10 yards off the middle is gone.  Whatever club you can control is best even if it is your pitching wedge."

Brian Long mentions, "I had a 10 footer for eagle on Pine #6.  It took a 220 yard drive, two large bounces down the cart path, and the best 3-wood of my life."

Surinder Punia fell victim to Mountain Valley, but is very excited to return.  "I lost a full case of 24 practice balls and 15 quality balls over 2 rounds," says Punia.  "Half of which Troj probably found spending more time searching for other balls rather than time actually on the course.  However, it is a gorgeous facility throughout. Those golfers taking a full 27 practice holes have a big advantage over those that aren?t. I learned a lot over the weekend."

Mike Trojanowski was very impressed with the course conditioning last week.  "I might bring my lawn chair and volleyball for the really large traps on Maple.  The plush white sand felt great between the toes."  Trojanowski did find 73 golf balls (no kidding) during his 27 holes.

Jay Dilks simply says, "Unbelievable design.  Never seen 27 holes with such great character throughout.  I guarantee 20 or more 10's on Pine #6 during Round 1 play."

Surinder Punia is ready with his advice as the worst player in the field with Mountain Valley experience.  "Forget the driver on purpose.  Just leave home without it.  This is course is classic brains over brawn. Smart players who play within themselves and don't get caught up in all the testosterone are the players to watch.

The terrain levels the field between the gorillas and the chimps. The gorillas will pay the price of trying to blast drivers off the tee box and muscle shots around while the chimps will slowly and surely make their way around the course efficiently and with control."

The practice round begins in 3 weeks.  It appears the field is made up of apes and it is the chimps who will rule. Gorillas beware!