Safeway Classic-First Look

My player is Anja Monke.

Arrived yesterday about noon. Checked in to the hotel – the Dunes in Hillsboro – and watched the final few holes of the Solheim.

This will be the inaugural for the Ghost Creek layout at Pumpkin Ridge so the plan was to walk at least the front nine yesterday but, since play was still open to the public, that was verboten till after 5PM. One huge problem arose which could have put a monkey wrench in our design. We were told that the yardage books were going to be sold to players only and limited to one each! The pencil-neck assistant in the pro shop had us fuming but a calmer head prevailed. Rick went to his boss and explained the inner-workings of our profession and within minutes, we were in business. Even if his negotiations proved fruitless, a backup plan was already in the works. A call was placed to the advance official, Sue Witters. She said that the guys in the shop were told a couple times that the books should be sold to the caddies but apparently, the word never got out.

Three of us walked the front nine and found it quite interesting. Once you get passed the first hole – which was fairly mundane – it tightened up and offered a variety of challenges. Elevation changes of more than a club off a couple tees tapered to no more than five yards on approach shots.

If one tees off on the front, a fine scoring opportunity will be offered on the stretch 8, 9, and 10. They’re all par fives. Haven’t seen three in a row since we played Indianapolis Country Club many light years ago where 17, 18 and 1 presented the same situation to the back nine starters.

This afternoon, I walked the back after the pro-am was complete. It’s more open than the other side but has more elevation changes. Of particular note was the par four 17th. As indicated by markings from the officials, there is a possibility that three different tees may be used. The farthest back has the hole playing 335 yards but only around 224 from the front most tee! Seems easy enough on its face but there is a a creek just to right of a narrow green, which extends down the fairway, then crosses over 75 yds from the front of the green. It’s a lay-up from the back tee, a 200 carry over the creek from the middle tee and only around 213 to the front of the green from the shortest tee. It also plays downhill which makes going for it even more tempting. You just know it will be up front on Sunday. Should make for interesting viewing.

Not exactly Calvin Klein: Have trouble with the idea of people checking out your butt? Why not look back (so to speak) by wearing a pair of Winkers. Caution, if you have an over expanse in that area, these may not be a wise idea.