Medium Iron Yards Edge Fire In Creek

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Avenel was a huge success as soon as it opened, well at least for Arnold Palmer. The "King" made back-to-back aces on the par-three third hole prior to the start of the 1986 Chrysler Cup. During a practice round on Tuesday, Palmer, the captain of the U.S. team, made a hole-in-one with a five-iron on the then 182-yard hole. The next day was the pro-amateur event and Palmer, again using a five-iron, made a one -- the first time that back-to-back aces were recorded on any professional tour. Just an FYI: Palmer missed the green during the opening round of the event as he tried for three straight.

 

Gil Morgan shot four sub-par rounds in 1990 to edge a hard-charging Ian Baker- Finch by one shot. Morgan, who started the final round three shots back, shot 69 for the win, while Baker-Finch, who trailed by seven, closed with 66. Billy Andrade became a first-time winner in 1991, as he birdied the first playoff hole to defeat Jeff Sluman. Andrade shot four rounds in the 60s to tie Sluman at a tournament-record total of 263, a mark that still stands today.

 

Two shots behind Bobby Wadkins with one round to play, Mark Brooks carded his fourth straight round in the 60s to clip Wadkins and D.A. Weibring by three shots in 1994. Lee Janzen defeated Corey Pavin with a 12-foot birdie on the first extra hole to capture the 1995 tournament. Janzen, who shot four rounds in the 60s, won the last playoff in the event's storied history.

 

The 1998 title went to Stuart Appleby, who became the second International player to win at Avenel. Despite a one-over 72, Appleby defeated Scott Hoch by one shot. Appleby secured the win with a three-iron to within 15 feet on the final hole and two-putted for par. Rich Beem led, or was tied for the lead, from start to finish in 1999, as he won for the first time on the PGA Tour. Beem's total of 274 was one clear of Bill Glasson and Bradley Hughes.

 

Tied for the lead after three rounds with Bob Burns, Bob Estes carded a Sunday 71 to edge 1999 champion Rich Beem by one shot for his fourth career title in 2002. Burns, who aced the 11th hole during the final round, finished tied for third after a one-over 72. Estes carded 17 pars and one birdie, but trailed by one with three holes remaining. Burns, who held the lead, would relinquish the advantage with a costly double-bogey on 16 while Estes parred the final two holes for victory. Beem carded four rounds in the 60s, including back-to-back 69s over the weekend.

 

Another sponsor change: The 2004 tournament became the Booz Allen Classic. Adam Scott set records en route to victory, as he tied the tournament mark of 21-under-par 263 for a four-shot win over Charles Howell III. At the tender age of 23 years, 11 months and 11 days, Scott became the second-youngest winner of this event behind Fred Couples, the 1983 champion. Scott set a new 36-hole mark of 128 and tied the 54-hole record of 195. Howell opened the event with a course-record of 61 and led Scott by five shots, however Scott shot 62 during the second round and was never headed.

 

The 2006 event returned to Avenel and Ben Curtis, three years removed from his British Open title, endured six days of inclement weather to capture his second career title. Curtis' total of 264 was one shy of the tournament record and he won by five shots over four players. Rain and lightning plagued the event from start to finish, as this event was the first Tuesday climax since the 1980 Tucson Open. Curtis, who hit 83.3 percent of the fairways for the week and led from start to finish, had a chance to break the tournament mark, but a bogey-bogey finish ended his chances.

 

REVIEW: The opening hole at the TPC at Avenel is a sharp, dogleg-right par four of just 393 yards. However, don't be misled, as the tee shot plays uphill to a fairway that is protected on either side by long bunkers. A medium to short iron will remain after a successful tee ball to one of the smallest greens on the course, just 32 paces deep. Any shot offline and to the right will be gobbled up by a difficult bunker. An opening par is not a bad way to start.

 

Arnold Palmer put the third hole and the course on the map with his back-to- back aces in 1986. This monster of a par-three now plays to the tune of 239 yards. The putting surface is long and wide and features a shaved chipping area around the green. Slightly downhill, the real danger is short-right, as a creek and trees come into play. Shoot for bogey and maybe, just maybe, you might sink a short putt for par.

 

A love-hate relationship will certainly develop with the par-five sixth. Just 520 yards in length, the sixth is a severe dogleg-right hole with tall trees and water all along the right. As a par five, the hole is quite simple, as evident by the 2006 stats from the Booz Allen Classic, where the hole played as the easiest on the course at 4.619 with 23 eagles and 198 birdies. The biggest problem lies with the green. Although quite wide at 35 yards, it's just six paces deep with water and a rock wall fronting the putting surface. Two bunkers deep will snare all long shots. Quite a daunting target.

 

A fairly straight par four, the eighth is difficult due to length and bunker positioning in the fairway. A draw off the tee will set up a medium iron to one of the smallest greens on the course. Just 28 paces deep, this putting surface slopes hard from back to front and possesses two deep pot bunkers in the back and one trap left and one right. With a back-left flag, just play to the center, two-putt and move on. Not a hole to take chances on.

 

It's only 166 yards long, but the ninth at Avenel is the signature hole on the course. This diabolical par three drops some 40 feet to the green with Rock Run Creek in the front and right of the green. Let's toss in the longest putting surface on the course (44 yards) and you have one bear of a par three. During the 1987 tournament, Greg Norman made double-bogey, blowing his chances for victory, and was heard later to have said, "They should blow it up." During the 2006 event, the ninth played as the third-hardest hole on the course. Not bad for the No 18 handicap hole on the scorecard.

comments

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•    @andytoots I jest, of course. Been in France with only a dog for a few days. She's unappreciative of my brilliant gags.

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•    RT @Short_Order: Today is the day! Iron Fork is tonight and Short Order Award winners will be revealed. Tix still available newtimesironfork.com

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•    @badprocess bâclé, en retard, avec des évolutions débarquées par l'integrateur himself ? C'est déjà le cas chez nous. Mais c'est politique…

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•    @LindaAnarkulova tu dziivee neesi redzēējusi. bet es nez :D ;(((( mok tumšākus par šo kastaņbrīno vajag. taka tev kkā

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•    @mmitchelldaviss oh and you would pic the one day I'm never at Ceasar's Creek to go there. #Fail

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•    just got my birthday gifts!! i got psp and a flat iron for short hair... LOL haha

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•    Can't believe iron head heyward is playing short stop for the giants, unbelievably talented isn't he?

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•    Akirah earned the achievement Iron Dwarf, Medium Rare (10 player) for 10 points. #wow

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•    Sadaap RT @mario_ballstar: Da best medium shooter in town a.k.a Mr perimeter a.k.a Iron man,also ma mates in yogya@BallStar_Ind @dewanta_aji

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•    School... Its a love hate relationship. Wishing I was at a resort in Cozumel right about now :( had to much fun this weekend with my family

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•    #Nap :) ? after #TheGame ends of course

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•    ei meninas Que ficaram sem Par mande . #iNDICAdii vo indicar .

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•    #f1 10min delay!@jlegand 'surface akin to a golfer putting on marble' You know??

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•    Don't really feel like goin out. But life is short. Yoiu never know what's gon happen who u gon meet. So ima iron my shirt

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•    @showalasomelove yes!! He tht dumb nigga.. It'll be short lived... He runnin to fast with tht iron.

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