Golf Update: Preview- Firestone Country club to host World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational
Firestone Country club is back in the news for hosting this seasons World golf championship Bridgestone invitational on 3rd August -8th August, 2010.
The $8500, 000 purse event is taking place on the south course of the Club, which is designed by Bert Way. The course was established in 1929 by Harvey Firestone and was later taken over by ClubCorp after 52 years. Ever since 1929, changes have been brought in its design by Robert Trent Jones and then Jack Nicklaus.
The magnificent course has always been a major part of the golf history, not only many great players evolved on this course but many great stories and records were made here. It was in 1954, that the course had it's first event .This event was The Rubber City Open, which then continually took place here for five years.
Moreover, the Firestone country club has the credit of being the only course on which three events held in the same season were broadcasted. These three events were the American Golf Classic, the CBS Golf Classic, and the World Series of Golf. Apart from these events, it has also hosted the 1960, 1966 & 1975 PGA Championship, including eight CBS Golf Classics and 14 American Golf Classics.
Another exclusive credit that falls in the history of the course is that it is the only course that has hosted 34(the most) professional tournaments as compared to any other course in USA.
Moving to the layout of the 7400 yards club; it is divided into three courses; north, south and west.
The sound of south course of Firestone country club conjures many memories for the golf lovers. It is the same course on which Jack Nicklaus made his magical comeback in the 1975 PGA Championship, by giving a defeat of 4 strokes to Bruce Crampton, on the “Monster” 16th hole. That lead marked his 4th time victory on a PGA championship. Moreover, Tiger woods’ famous ‘shot in the dark ‘on the 18th hole of World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational 2000 was on the same course.
The South Course at Firestone is recognized for its length of 7,400 yards and this is what gives it a dramatic effect. The course is ranked 11th out of 51 courses according to the difficulty level. Talking about difficulty, the 16th hole which also dubbed as the monster hole is a par 5 stretched on 667 yards. The first monstrous feature of the hole is the par and the second is the water hazard, which is situated in the middle of its green so a miscalculated shot can definitely get stuck in it. Not to forget this is the same hole that helped Tiger Woods to earn victory in 2009, when he was stuck with Padraig Harrington in a playoff and the Irish bogeyed the hole. Another difficult hole is the par 4, 471-yards, 4th hole. The approach to get through with this hole is a long, straight tee shot followed by a high trajectory but a soft approach shot to hit the elevated green.
Coming to the north course, which is known for its 3 beautiful, clear water lakes and streams? Despite its beauty, the course has hosted only two events, which includes the 1976 American Golf Classic and the 1994 World Series of Golf.
The third part of the course which is also known as the western course was opened in 1989, however, it was redesigned by Tom Fazio in 2002.This west course will be hosting the turning point resort championship in 2010.
This was a quick preview of the course, which is hosting the 12th WGC-Brightstone invitational championship starting from the 3rd -8th August, 2010.The event will be gathering top 80 players of the world. According to the experts, this season’s event will be far more difficult than previous years, as all the 84 sand bunkers have been renovated, however, the players with expertise on putting won’t face much of a problem, because of the Poa Annua grass which is excellent for quick putting.
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