Golf: Forget the Ryder the Cup - let’s talk about Pro-Am, Amateurs and the Viking Classic 2010
For those who want to talk about something other than the upcoming Ryder Cup, the Viking Classic 2010 and its pro-am is something we can discuss. From the 27th of September to the 3rd of October, the Annandale
Golf Club at Mississippi, Madison, would cater to a championship with some of the golf’s biggest names in it.
Prior to the event, the Viking Classic’s pro-am affair will take place as well. This event usually includes numerous pros teaming up with amateurs and presents the two ‘E’s’. One E is exciting, which is for the Pros and the second
E is experience, which is a once-in-a-life-time occurrence for the amateurs.
Usually the amateurs who enter the pro-am have a back-door-deal arranged for them or a sponsor backing them up, but for those who enter the tournament otherwise, a pretty expensive round of golf awaits them. Most PGA pro-am’s amount
to around $4000-$5000 per golfer. This makes the game exciting but costly. The Viking Classic however, back in 2007, asked for a mere $2700 per amateur golfer.
This is the first event of this year’s fall series and it has managed to pull together a starry bucket of professional golfers. The impressive line-up of Major Championship winners at the competition include; John Daly, David Duval,
David Thomas, Lee Janzen, Todd Hamilton, Shaun Carl Micheel and Steve Elkington. Other than these golfers, Will Mackenzie, the 2008 winner, along with D.J. Trahan, Cameron Beckman, Jim Gallagher, Chad Campbell, and Greg Kraft will all be making an appearance
on the field as well.
No matter what the price may be, the event is an experience worth remembering. The dimes spent by these players are usually displayed both before and after the game. At every turn of the field, free goodies are hurled at you. Play
the game and you’ll collect everything, from free golf equipment certificates to shirts, balls and beverages from every tee box. Other than that, the event hands these players a plaque engraved with the photographs of the tour Pros and the foursomes, which
is also complimentary in nature.
The Viking Classic will follow a 70 par with 7125 yardage in statistics. Rocco Mediate, along with hometown favourite Heath Slocum, will also be playing this entertaining Classic.
The fun begins at the draft night where all the players from the field are considered. They gossip like little school girls as to who is easier to play with and who is a big hitter. Apart from that, all those handicappers who can
score birdies rather than pars are mulled over. Golfers with a mere handful of pars aren’t regarded much as the focus is only on those with birdies or net-birdies supported by their handicap. The winning score is usually under 18 or much lower.
The criteria put may be hard, but the game itself is all about having fun and having a relaxed time at the field. Charlie Hoffman stated that it’s always a good thing to come out in the course to get a good feel for it before the
real competition starts.
The sight may be intimidating for young amateurs, but according to the guy who has played many Pro-am games, Mike Purkey, amateurs need to let go. He says that they must keep two things in mind; one, the pros don’t care, and two,
they have seen far worse then what amateurs are presenting before them.
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