Lemont, IL-The 46th annual Chick Evans Memorial Pro-Am kicked off today’s event at the BMW Championship, where three amateur golfers are paired up with one of 52 of the top golfers in the world with all money raised going to the Chick Evans Scholarship Fund. All proceeds from the BMW Championship are also donated to the Evans Scholarship Foundation.
Andrew O’Donnel of Saddle River, NJ was lucky enough to draw Tiger Woods as his playing partner, hitting quite a few shots and two or three birdies during his round. The experience was surreal for Andrew and he was all smiles afterwards.
The Redesigned Dubsdread Course at Cog Hill
The common theme today among all the players is that the redesigned Dubsdread is playing very long with medium speed greens. Defending BMW Champion Camilo Villegas said, “Definitely long. The bunkers are definitely deep, It’s going to be interesting how they set it up. You can set it up so many different ways.”
The par 3′s on the course are much longer than your typical setup and heavily guarded by bunkers, like the 12th hole, which also has an elevated green that slopes towards the surrounding bunkers. Quite the risk and reward hole.
Another notable hole is the 7th hole which has a pond that requires 324 yards to carry it. Tiger Woods who is one of the Tour’s longer hitter, didn’t even attempt to take it over the pond on the 7th hole. Instead Woods opted to go with a 3-wood. When asked if Wood’s would ever try and carry the pond, Woods said, ” It’s 324 to carry it. I can’t carry 324. Bubba can, Dustin, and I don’t know who else is long here this week, but I can’t carry that.”
The extra length on the course has some players changing what clubs are in their bags this week. Heath Slocum, might be carrying a 23 degree Pin i15 hybrid in his bag as a result of the long par 3 holes.
TaylorMade’s Y.E. Yang maybe using the new XFT wedges during competition tomorrow, along with the new R9 irons.
The course setup and excellent conditions should make for some exciting golf this weekend.
Player Update
Paul Casey played in the Pro-AM today and when I asked him about his ribs, he told me “they hurt”. According to Paul’s caddie Craig, Paul is 50/50 for competing tomorrow.
Camilo Villegas right wrist injury is no longer an issue for him and is fine.
