The Rest Of Royal Melbourne: Pure Bliss

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I had the distinct joy of walking the final 7 holes of Royal Melbourne's 2011 Composite Course and shot a few videos (links below) which include some insights about some of the more interesting features from local Chris Kane.

After taking in the entire layout, I'm giddy with anticipation, namely because today's Hogan's and Snead's have so rarely played approaches and greens with this melding of firmness and clever design.

For viewers at home, many of the best holes will come early in the round, something touched on by John Huggan in this interview with Mike Clayton looking at the current composite of the East and West.

Nothing is ever perfect, however, and the latest composite is no exception "The problem now is that the very best holes all come along early in the round," points out Clayton. "The most spectacular holes -- 3-4-5-6 West is arguably the best four-hole run in golf other than maybe 11-12-13-14 at St. Andrews -- are all over with before the turn. Which is not to say the course "dies" at the end, but there is no doubt that the later holes are not quite as strong.

"On the up side, the 16th hole on the East course -- a really good par-3 -- is now part of the composite lay-out. And the 2nd West is a really strong finishing hole. So it's all a bit subjective really. All three versions have their plusses ands minuses. The first was the best course but the worst for the spectators. On both the second and third, however, it is a lot easier to create drama and noise and atmosphere."

I personally like all of the matches going through the best holes because it's never very satisfying when great holes are not reached. That said, there are some beauties along the finishing stretch, including the par-4 11th where my favorite green resides on the property. Watch this short 4 to see some truly wild and weird shots.

As for the green complexes, Greg Norman is right (no, not: “Royal Melbourne will give you a look up her skirt and shut you down very, very quickly."): you are wise to look at every hole from behind the green.

It's so rare when you see golf course photos from behind greens showing much, but at Royal Melbourne I'm constantly wanting to take in the greens from the rear view and seeing so many elements that were not evident from other angles. It speaks to just how complex many of the greens are and just vital local knowledge will be.

As for videos, here's what I Tweeted Wednesday:

A very shaky look at the bunker maintenance at Royal Melbourne where the faces are raked with a board to promote firmness.

Video take from behind 11th at Royal Melbourne, normally 1East and one of the most best greens on the course...or anywhere.

Here's a heads up for when you might see someone drive into the 17th fairway for the 16th hole. Not sure the players will think this way, but anything's possible.




Predictions, Predictions, Predictions: Presidents Cup Edition

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John Huggan and Ron Sirak do the point-counterpoint thing, with Huggan making the case for the International squad and Sirak going all patriotic for the US of A.

In this week's Pond Scrum Huggan and Elling kicked around the possible outcome.

Elling: To begin with, the only time the U.S. team lost the Presidents Cup was at Royal Melbourne, and it wasn't even close. It's a fast, nuanced course, and with a slew of hometown Aussies in the lineup, this road game looks like a tough ask for the Yanks.

Huggan: I'm going with the Internationals because of the golf course. Royal Melbourne isn't the longest or the toughest test, but it does take a lot of knowing, especially if conditions play fast and firm. If we get a hot northwest wind like they had at the matches in 1998, there is only going to be one winner -- the team with five Aussies.

Huggan: Uh-oh, so we agree? That tired "ole-ole-ole" song the Euro fans sing at the Ryder Cup? This time, the Americans might be tired of the "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy" chant.

Elling: A crucial player for the Yanks is Steve Stricker, who hasn't played in two months and has been battling a nerve issue in his neck. Stricker practiced in the Arizona desert as a warmup, but the lack of live fire seems problematic. The dream team of him and Woods is the biggest question of the week, to me.

Huggan: I think you may be right about Stricker. His game is made for this course. But if doesn't bring it with him, he likely isn't going to find it here.

Shark Would Really Like To Captain Again...And It Won't Happen

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Dave Shedloski reports the bad news for the blogosphere: Greg Norman is captaining his last Presidents Cup.

Norman went further saying that Nick Price is his likely successor. "I've heard Nick Price is going to be the next captain," Norman said. "I've heard Nick Price is in. I would love to do it. I've thought about it, going to Muirfield, but I don't think that's going to happen."

Quick Initial Reaction: Royal Melbourne

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The place lives up to the hype as one of the world's great courses thanks to the green complexes and bunkering. I studied the first 10 holes of the Composite Course plus several others on the property, but it's impossible not to love some of the features. A few of which I explore in these Tweeted cell phone video snippets.

A look at the transitions from fairway to approach you'll see during Presidents Cup coverage this week.

The 10th at RM (18West), nice subtly explained in shaky cell phone video. Should be noted that Bubba Watson drove it in the fairway bunkers here this week. So much for the strategy!

The 1st hole this week (3 West) will be pivotal this week and has some great hole location-based strategy I try to explain in this short cell phone video.

And on a cooler note, these ommemorative tools were the only mechanical instruments in building of RM.

*******Links should now work. Hopefully the PGA Tour will be kind enough to extend the 24 hour grace period by a few minutes.

********And now I see the host, YFrog, is down. Good times!

Just a few images...

Phil Must Find A New Gin Rummy Pigeon In Michael Jordan's Absence

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Bob Verdi questions Fred Couples on this year's Cup team room atmopshere without asst. captain Michael Jordan, who stayed home to help resolve the NBA lockout.

Do you miss Michael Jordan?

"I know Phil does. They had some nice card games in San Francisco. Gin. But all the guys miss him. And the caddies. He fit in so well at Harding Park. The guys loved having him there. He even gave a little pep talk to the team. And you saw how he helped out. Almost adopted Sean O'Hair."

Planning Your Presidents Cup Viewing...

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I've been a little surprised that there hasn't been more coverage of the coverage. That is, NBC's bold decision to air all of the Presidents Cup rounds live on Golf Channel, and then play the tape later on NBC during normal U.S. viewing hours.

As I noted when it was first announced, this is the first big benefit of the Comcast-Universal merger and certainly one that will hurt the final Cup ratings, but which serves the viewer interested in live golf.

The times again so you can prepare. All are Eastern Time:

Wednesday, Nov 16
 Foursome Golf Channel 9 p.m. -- 2 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 17 
Four Ball Golf Channel 7:30 p.m. -- 2 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 18
 Foursome Golf Channel 4 p.m. -- 2 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19 
Singles Golf Channel 6:30 p.m. -- 12:30 a.m.

Replay
Thursday, Nov. 17 
Foursome Golf Channel 9 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 18
 Four Ball Golf Channel 9 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19 
Foursome NBC 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m.

Stevie: I Should Have Left Tiger Right After Scandal Broke

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In a lengthy interview with Graham Bensinger recorded before controversial remarks in Shanghai, luggage looper Stevie Williams says he should have left his man when scandal broke so he could go out on a high note.

“I think everything you do in life, you’d like to go out on a high as opposed to a low,” Williams said. “Looking back, perhaps after Tiger competed down here in Australia at the Australian Masters, it was a very memorable win. I really enjoyed that tournament. That was the last event he played before all the events transpired. Perhaps I should have, you know, left him then.”

And...

“I didn’t know all was going to happen, obviously. I didn’t know what was about to unfold. Looking back, my gut feeling at some time said that was a good way to finish."

Here's the interview: