BUNKERS, SWAMPS, WATER-ALLIGATORS

Press, 11 June 1977, Page 10

BUNKERS, SWAMPS, WATER-ALLIGATORS

Bv

BOB SCHUMACHER

In golfers’ language, the expression “tiger country” is not one which holds great affection. It refers to the roughest regions on a course, areas where a ball on landing is most likely to be either inaccessible or irretrievable.

But golfers playing the Sawgrass course in Jacksonville, Florida, have a variation on the term. They know the zones to be 'avoided as “alligator country” and for them it is not just a figure of speech.

Mr Laurie Blair, tournament co-ordinator of New Zealand's richest professional golfing event, the Airlines Classic, has photographs to prove that the reptiles do in fact lurk in the sevamps on the Sawgrass course. Mr Blair was recently at the 1977 Tournament Players’ Championship where he approached many of the top United States professionals in an attempt to attract name players to the Airlines Classic in October.

The Sawgrass course, measuring 6522 m has a par of 72 and has been described as brutally punishing. The terrain is reminiscent of a seaside course in Scotland.

The degree of difficulty of the course can be gauged from the following descriptions of some holes; — No. 2,370 m, par 4: A 70 degree dog-leg right demands a well-placed tee shot. The second shot must be hit to one of the smallest

greens on the course, ff you can't turn right, turn around and go home. No. 4,479 m, par 5: The green can be reached in two. However, the putting surface, postage stamp in size, lies atop a hill which is bordered by swamp on the left and gnarling rough on the right. A slip means you go down the up staircase. N 0.5, 378 m, par 4: An elevated tee overlooks a sharp dog-leg right. The Atlantic Ocean can be seen from behind the tee. A beautiful hole — if you're a spectator. No. 6, J 75m, par 3: The normal measures of sand and water comprise this recipe. An unknown ingredient called wind determines how tatty the hole is. It can turn your stomach. No. 8,495 m, par 5: Going for the green in two is like playing craps. You rattle the bones and you might get a four and you might get six. You pa.ys your money and takes your chances.

No. 9. 412 m, par 5: Water on the right and water in front of the green with plenty of real estate for sale in between. It takes two woods and a double hernia to reach this green in regulation.

No. 10. 405, par 4: A position fee shot is a must. The wind makes

club selection difficult on the second shot. Ten of the course's 95 blinkers Toom on this test. Sanctioned by the Desert Sheiks’ Association. No. 11, 424 m. par 4: Out of bounds left and fairway bunkers right. Gaping bunkers guard the front of the green. You need more than a sand wedge. Try taking a flashlight and a box lunch into these bunkers. No. 14, 351111, par 4: Bunkers galore and out of hounds right. Very difficult lo hit the fairway. Fairway? What fairway? No. 16, 343rn, par 4: Finesse, not brawn is the password here. It's an easy test if you hit it straight. A double island hole, it. can make you feel like you’re on Alcatraz, No. .17, 399 m par 4: Bunkers, mounds, and water. If one doesn’t get you. the other two will.’ Just wave a white towel and surrender to bogey. These impressions of Sawgrass were given by Greg Larson, a writer on the “Florida TimesUnion.”

Commentators and players were in agreement, that the course presents a golfing ordeal of horrendous dimensions. What is it? asked one writer. A torture chamber? An al-

ligator farm? A reptile ex

hibit? At. the finish most of the best golfers in the world were still poking around in the dunes and marshes looking for their egos.

As the scores mounted and the number of drop outs increased, some players took a light-hearted view. “It's not so bad. It’s like having a tooth pulled with an anaesthetic,”

One of New Zealand’s greatest rugby full-backs. Bob Scott, will not be present for the third test between the All Blacks and the British Lions. While the two teams are engaged in combat at Carisbrook on July 30, Scott, pictured above, will he enjoying the warmth of the palm-studded Samahula golf course in Fiji.

Roger Maltbie said. “If the course was arc airport, it would be closed,” remarked John Schlee. Allen Miller: "There won’t be anyone left soon but Mr W. I), (withdrew) and Mr D. S. Q. (disqualified).” On the day when the wind was al its most vicious, 14 players dropped out and perhaps

An All Black during the post-war years to 1954, Scott, a six-handicap golfer, will be competing in the Air New Zealand Fiji Open — a four-day championship which begins in Suva on July 29. Scott turned to golf seriously at the age of 37 when he had retired from international rugby. He is

the best summary was given by Cesar Sanudo. Hitting his third drive at the. ninth hole, after- the other two had gone into the water, and seeing this one take a huge, soaring turn towards the same hazard, he started walking back. “It’s the first time I ever withdrew when the ball was m the air,” he said. lor an exercise, Brine Lietzke sal in the locker

a former junior and intermediate champion of the Shandon club in Wellington and has had three holes-in-one.

Although he will be taking bis golf seriously in Fiji, rugby will not be for. gotten. He has allotted time to talk to school children and coaches about rugby.

room and calculated a worst ball score among the field. He was up to 131 when Don Massengale finished with an 84 and could not improve .on Lietzke’s worst ball total. The Sawgrass tournament was where New Zealand’s John Lister carded 91 and admitted it. Homero Blancas also shot that total but. did not sign his card. The average score that day was 81. The tournament will be remembered for many things; one sixth of the field quit, more than twothirds failed to break 300 and only the winner, Mark Hayes, bettered 290. Mr Blair said that In ideal yveather conditions the course offered a reasonably stern challenge, but with the wind, and the abundance of bunkers, it was a deathtrap. Golfers are known for venting their wrath on courses. At Sawgrass in the wind, no-one could begrudge them their irascibility.