Respectful players predict par to be precious at CPC

Here's what two-time PGA Club Professional Champion Tim Thelen said after he got his first glimpse of the Ocean Course: "You might have to look for me in a rubber room after this is over." One place players predict you will not see many -- if any at all -- at the conclusion of the 38th CPC is under par. It appears Pete Dye's famed design, stretched to 7,355 wind-swept yards and now featuring an 18th green that's 25 yards closer to the Atlantic Ocean, is playing tough these days.

By Bob Denney, PGA of America

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (PGA.com) -- The golf world first got its taste of The Ocean Course in 1991, and few will forget it.

The sight of Germany's Bernhard Langer agonizing over a missed six-foot par putt and the Ryder Cup being returned back to the United States will be forever engraved in golf history.

This week, a field of 156 PGA Professionals representing 39 states and 39 PGA Sections will write their own chapters in PGA of America history as this challenging course hosts the 38th PGA Club Professional Championship.

The showcase event for PGA Professionals is Thursday through Sunday, and televised live by The Golf Channel, June 23-26, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The 1991 Ryder Cup, played at 7,311 yards, proved that match play was a compelling format for this layout. This week, the first aggregate stroke-play event on the course is being contested at 7,355 yards. There is bound to be a bagful of momentum swings, as the wind tests the nation's finest PGA Professionals.

Designed by Pete Dye, the Ocean Course was updated by the legendary course architect in 1997 and again in 2003, changes that included more forgiving approach areas to the greens and moving the 18th green 25 yards closer to the Atlantic Ocean and making it an uphill target.

"It will be very interesting to see how the best PGA Professionals handle this course for 72 holes, not match play," said Ocean Course PGA Head Professional Brian Gerard. "I got see the Ryder Cup played here, but I think this week's Championship has even greater significance. It's our major. It's an honor for me and our staff to host the CPC."

For those who have never seen the course, which is most of the field, The Ocean Course is a series of unexplored adventures by the sea.

"I'm very happy to be here and get a chance to see what this course is all about," said 1993 PGA Club Professional Champion J.R. Roth of Flushing, Mich., one of 13 past Champions in the field. "My being here is really a result of my family making the decision for me. I am the defending champion in the Michigan Open, which is held next week. I can't afford two weeks in a row off, so the family wanted me to be here. I'm excited about it. It means a lot as a past Champion to be able to compete here."

The $500,000 national championship feature two significant perks: The low 25 scorers earn a berth in the 87th PGA Championship, Aug. 11-14, at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

The low eight scorers will join Champions from 2003 and 2004 on a 10-member U.S. PGA Cup Team at faces Great Britain & Ireland, Sept. 23-25, at The K Club at Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland.

"This week will be a great test," said Gerard. "The key factor is how strong the wind will blow. It all depends on Mother Nature. Typically, it is unusual to go straight days without a breeze."

Defending Champion Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, is back to make his bid for the Walter Hagen Cup, and is joined by 12 past Champions: John Traub, Rochester Hills, Mich., (1980); Bill Schumaker, Columbia City, Ind. (1984); Bob Boyd, Wilmington, N.C. (1988); Brett Upper, Phoenix, Ariz. (1990); Ron McDougal, Deal, N.J. (1992), Roth, Flushing, Mich., (1993); Steve Schneiter, Sandy, Utah (1995); Darrell Kestner, Glen Cove, N.Y. (1996); Mike Burke Jr., Towaco, N.J. (1998); Tim Thelen, Richmond, Texas (2000, '03), Wayne DeFrancesco, Columbia, Md. (2001); and Barry Evans, Charleston, W.Va. (2002).

Here's what some of them said about the course after playing it for the first time this week:

"This golf course is the toughest I've ever played in my life, no question." -- Evans.

"You might have to look for me in a rubber room after this is over. Is par a good score? Yeah, it's better than good out here. This is the toughest course I've ever played. I think four 72s and you will win by five shots," Thelen.

"The greens are great, but downwind, you can not hold a ball on the greens. You have to be picking out the spots to put your approach shots to have a chance at par." -- Sowards.

The field also includes Suzy Whaley of Farmington, Conn., the only woman to compete in a CPC and making her first visit since 2002. Whaley will be competing from tees set at 6,229 yards, which is approximately 90 percent of the men's distance. Whaley, a PGA Teaching Professional at Blue Fox Run Golf Club in Avon, Conn., missed the cut by four strokes in 2002.

Dye, who will visit the CPC this week, will watch with interest to see how the PGA Professionals manage their way around the course.

In September 1991, PGA Professional Brian Gerard was working shifts in the merchandise tent at The Ocean Course during the Ryder Cup.

During his shift break, Gerard joined the gallery as the Ryder Cup drama unfolded. Four years later, Gerard moved from his post as head professional at nearby Turtle Point Golf Club to head professional at The Ocean Course.

"It's going to be very special to be here watching how this field handles the course for 72 holes," said Gerard. "I can say that the course will be playing differently ever day, and in many cases from hour to hour."

The 38th PGA Club Professional Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Buick; Club Car; and Amstel Light and Buckler.

The Greg Norman Collection is the Official Golf Apparel of the CPC and The Golf Channel, an exclusive media partner and the PGA Tour a contributing partner.

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