Fantasy Golf: The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Primer

October 13, 2008 9:32am CDT

The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
TPC Summerlin @ Las Vegas, Nevada
- Dates: Thursday, October 16th – Sunday, October 19th
- 2008 Purse: $4,100,000 (Winning Share: $738,000)

Tournament Schedule
First Round – Thursday, October 16 – 5pm EST on the Golf Channel
Second Round - Friday, October 17 – 5pm EST on the Golf Channel
Third Round – Saturday, October 18 – 5pm EST on the Golf Channel
Final Round – Sunday, October 19 – 5pm EST on the Golf Channel


The Course

TPC Summerlin
Course Par Value: 72
Course Yardage: 7,243

As golf fans know, any visit to a TPC course guarantees an amazing layout, a challenging structure, and a course any golfer in the world would dream of playing. This week’s visit to Summerlin will show this course is no exception.

This track, opened for play in November of 1991, is unique in that the landscape and natural lay of the desert provide optimal scenery and a stadium feel for such an event. Spectators will be able to stand at any point of any hole and see each and every stroke the golfers make on that hole.

The course, owned and operated by the PGA, was specifically designed to serve as a signature course of the Fall Series. Designed by renowned architect Bobby Weed and assisted by player-consultant Fuzzy Zoeller, Summerlin once served as the home of the Frys.com Open. The change in sponsorship gives the Tour one of the more famous endorsers and advocates of the game, and the Shriners’ outstanding network of Childrens’ Hospitals will benefit from a wonderful event.

Holes to Watch

Hole 3 (Par 5, 492 yds): The shortest par-5 offering on the course has served premium golfers well in the past. Tiger has carded two eagles on this double-fairwayed beauty in 1996 and more than a few have followed in his footsteps. The green is elevated and perched above a desert wash, though pitches to the floor can be heavily affected by prevailing winds.

Hole 5 (Par 3, 197 yds): This hole plays downhill but a treacherous green slopes left to right and will damage any that fail to stroke it accordingly off the tee. If the hole is to the back-right portion of the green (as it will be on Sunday), the hopes for par get grim.

Hole 13 (Par 5, 606 yds): This hole demands accuracy on every stroke a golfer will hit along the way. Fairway bunkers line a slim landing area that will invite golfers to hit with draw, though those that place it wrong will wave goodbye to par. Those that hit long can take advantage of the wind and find a beneficial spot for the approach, but more will play it safe and lay up with hopes of chipping on for birdie.

Hole 17 (Par 3, 196 yds): The most stunning hole on the course, many will park at #17 and stay there all day. This downhill par 3 sends golfers off the tee into a narrow green with the danger of water on the right. It is a daunting view from the launch, but well-placed shots from those that control spin with mid-irons will provide more than a few memorable moments this weekend.


2007 Review

PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 George McNeill -23 (264)
2 D.J. Trahan -19 (268)
T3 Cameron Beckman -15 (272)
T3 Robert Garrigus -15 (272)
T5 Bob May -14 (273)
T5 Bo Van Pelt -14 (273)
T7 Jason Gore -13 (274)
T7 Mathias Gronberg -13 (274)
T7 Garrett Willis -13 (274)
T10 Joe Ogilvie -12 (275)
T10 Mike Weir -12 (275)
T10 Mark Wilson -12 (275)
T10 Kent Jones -12 (275)

2006 Review (Frys.com Open)

PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Troy Matteson -22 (265)
T2 Daniel Chopra -21 (266)
T2 Ben Crane -21 (266)
4 Frank Lickliter II -20 (267)
T5 Charley Hoffman -19 (268)
T5 Lee Janzen -19 (268)
T7 Bubba Dickerson -18 (269)
T7 Tom Pernice, Jr. -18 (269)
T9 Joe Sindelar -17 (270)
T9 Ron Whittaker -17 (270)
T11 Bill Haas -16 (271)
T11 Bo Van Pelt -16 (271)
T11 Kevin Sutherland -16 (271)
T11 Mathew Goggin -16 (277)
T11 Rich Beem -16 (271)


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 Vegas 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. Several of the Ryder Cup heroes, including Hunter Mahan and Chad Campbell, will be in the mix. Other players of note include Ryuji Imada, Fred Couples, Arron Oberholser, Mathew Goggin, Kevin Streelman, Bo Van Pelt, Mike Weir, Steve Flesch, Ben Crane, Rocco Mediate, Davis Love III, Rory Sabbatini, Stephen Ames, Daniel Chopra, Zach Johnson, Pat Perez, Jeff Quinney, Heath Slocum, Ryan Moore, Steve Elkington, Steve Marino, Nick Watney, Nathan Green, Vaughn Taylor, Steve Lowery, Nick O’Hern, Paul Goydos, Brian Gay, and the always entertaining John Daly.

To view the entire field, visit this link:
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r047/field.html

Enjoy.