Fantasy Golf: 2008 Valero Texas Open Primer

October 6, 2008 12:29pm CDT

The Valero Texas Open
La Cantera Golf Club @ San Antonio, Texas
- Dates: Thursday, October 9th – Sunday, October 12th
- 2008 Purse: $4,500,000 (Winning Share: $810,000)

Tournament Schedule
First Round – Thursday, October 9 – 4pm EST on the Golf Channel
Second Round - Friday, October 10 – 4pm EST on the Golf Channel
Third Round – Saturday, October 11 – 4pm EST on the Golf Channel
Final Round – Sunday, October 12 – 4pm EST on the Golf Channel


The Course

The Resort Course @ La Cantera Golf Club
Course Par Value: 70
Course Yardage: 6,896

Consistently ranked among the best courses in the nation and serving as another member of the illustrious Troon Golf family, the Resort Course is one of two magnificent offerings at the La Cantera Golf Club (the other being the Palmer Course, also ranked among the elite courses in North America). Six of the holes on this course offer outstanding views of San Antonio and scenic Texas hills that surround the city.

Traditional features of the land are centered on the waterways of the area. Streams that run throughout the course lined with astounding large oak trees can be found throughout the grounds and offer unique obstacles for those that hit these links. Limestone rock is also associated with this area of the country and can be found throughout this course, as well. The sand, as white as the beaches of the Caribbean islands, is also a trademark feature of the La Cantera experience, lining the bunkers throughout the course.

For golfers, a solid all-around game can result in low scores. The greens are large and manageable and the lay of the land offers opportunity for those capable of working reasonable distance with outstanding ball control. It is one of the shorter tracks the Tour will see this season, thus the power-hitting drivers won’t find tremendous benefit from their distance. This is a course that puts focus on finesse and past winners indicate those skills will be in demand again this week.

Holes to Watch

Hole 4 (Par 4, 444 yds): Keeter's Creek runs through the entire left side of the landing area for your shot off the tee, presenting a difficult obstacle from the first swing on through the last. This hole closely resembles the closer on #18 but is best approached by staying away from the water. Keep the tee shot as close as possible to the bunker on the right side. This will provide a better angle for the uphill approach to the floor. The green is nestled in a natural amphitheater with a backdrop of live oaks, making the 4th one of the more demanding holes on the course.

Hole 7 (Par 4, 316 yds): Known by locals as "The Rattler," this 316-yard par 4 provides a spectacular view of downtown San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. This approach off the tee should be dictated by the various flagstick placements. When the flagstick is on the right side of the green, the drive should be pushed toward the "Rattlesnake" bunker. On the other hand, golfers should favor the right half of the fairway whenever the flagstick placement is on the left of the green. Driving the green is also an option but is wrought with danger. The wind can either favor or work against you off the tee.

Hole 12 (Par 4, 415 yds): "This hole will someday be considered one of the foremost par 4s in Texas -- not only due to the challenge it provides the golfer but also because of its beauty," says architect Tom Weiskopf. The shot from the tee is respected as the most challenging drive on the La Cantera Resort Course. A series of church pew bunkers, a ravine and a stream protect the entire left side of the landing area as well as the front of the green. The right side is guarded by a lateral hazard. A lofted second shot is required to stop the ball on a magnificent green surrounded by two natural creeks and a spectacular waterfall.

Hole 17 (Par 3, 186 yds): It may not be the closer but is the hole golfers will either embrace or regret if the final scores are tight. This deceptive par 3 plays 186 yards from the championship tees. It may be wise to use one more club than usual because trouble lurks in front of the green with a lateral hazard running from tee to green on the right side, and bunkers frame the green on both the left and right. The green has subtle undulations with small mounds in the front and back. Par should be the goal, as few will earn such a score on this hole.


2007 Review
PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Justin Leonard -19 (261)
2 Jesper Parnevik -19 (261)
T3 Daniel Chopra -16 (264)
T3 Mathias Gronberg -16 (264)
5 Heath Slocum -14 (266)
T6 J.J. Henry -13 (267)
T6 Dean Wilson -13 (267)
T6 Dan Forsman -13 (267)
T6 Chris Stroud -13 (267)
T6 Ryan Armour -13 (267)
T11 Chris Riley -12 (268)
T11 Bo Van Pelt -12 (268)
T11 Charley Hoffman -12 (268)
T11 Shigeki Maruyama -12 (268)

2006 Review
PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Eric Axley -15 (265)
T2 Anthony Kim -12 (268)
T2 Justin Rose -12 (268)
T2 Dean Wilson -12 (268)
T5 Chris Riley -11 (269)
T5 Frank Lickliter II -11 (269)
7 David McKenzie -10 (270)
T8 Paul Goydos -9 (271)
T8 Charley Hoffman -9 (271)
T10 Jose Coceres -8 (272)
T10 Harrison Frazar -8 (272)
T12 Daisuke Maruyama -7 (273)
T12 Steve Flesch -7 (273)
T12 Cameron Beckman -7 (273)


The Field
As we should anticipate, the tourneys of the Fall Series in the PGA rarely attract the big hitters on the Tour. This week’s stop in San Antonio is no different as the bulk of the field is populated by golfers in need of improved standings on the Money Leaders list hit the links to improve and/or secure their cards for next season.

However, there are names of note that should attract your interest. Defending champion Justin Leonard will be on hand as will fellow Ryder Cup teammate Chad Campbell. Other names that ring true with fantasy golf owners include Charles Howell III, Ben Crane, Jerry Kelly, Olin Browne, Stephen Ames, Sean O’Hair, Rod Pampling, Paul Goydos, Ryuji Imada, Mathew Goggin, Steve Marino, Davis Love III, David Toms, Bo Van Pelt, Brian Gay, Steve Elkington, Nick O’Hern, Scott Verplank, Nick Watney, Peter Lonard, Jesper Parnevik, Rory Sabbatini, Heath Slocum, John Senden, Rich Beem, and Briny Baird.

To view the entire field, visit this link:
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r041/field.html

Enjoy.