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McGladrey Classic will use multiple courses, fourth on PGA Tour to do so

By Doug Ferguson
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McGladrey Classic will use multiple courses, fourth on PGA Tour to do so

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The McGladrey Classic will be the fourth PGA Tour event next year to use multiple courses, and the first that is not in California. 
 
It's all about timing and opportunity. 
 
The McGladrey Classic will be the last official event in 2015, taking the spot now held by the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico. But once daylight saving time arrives at the end of October, it's a scramble for even a 132-man field to finish. 
 
The plan is to use the Seaside and Plantation courses at Sea Island Golf Club. Not only will using both courses allow the rounds to finish with plenty of daylight, the field can be expanded to 156 players at a time when the new Web.com Tour graduates are trying to get spots in PGA Tour events. Davis Love III, the tournament host, also expects a stronger field because it will not be the week before or after the Asian Swing. 
 
"Some guys like it, some guys don't," Love said of the multiple courses. "But if we get a better field – 10 guys better because it's the last one of the year, and no conflicts going to Malaysia – then you lose 12 spots when you go down to 132 players. We want to play two (courses) so we can get as many guys in as we can." 
 
The one drawback could be the weather. It can get chilly the week before Thanksgiving, especially along the water. 
 
The McGladrey has never had the same date in its five years. Love would like to go first, though that spot is held down by the Frys.com Open. If nothing else, it's critical that it not be the same weekend as the Georgia-Florida game. St. Simons Island is the home base of Georgia fans the week of the game.