A view of the 10th hole from green level

As you know, I like to find one particular hole at each tournament that I go to and spend a good amount of time watching groups pass through.  It helps give me a sense of the tournament field and how they're playing, but also helps me to experience the tournament by being surrounded by a single gallery.

I had my fiancee here with me today - her first tournament ever - so I wanted to find a fun hole for her.  She also wanted to see Anthony Kim roll through, so we picked the par 3 10th hole. 

On the card it plays 218 yards.  It's a downhill hole, though, so it plays closer to 200 yards.  The green is guarded in front by the pond that guards the 18th green on three sides.  There are three separate areas to the green.  The left half of the green is own its own and guarded by two deep bunkers over the back of the green.  There is a front right section that is delineated by a backstop that players can use to get the ball close to a pin there - but they must beware of challenging the water.  Finally, a back right shelf is unprotected but tough to carry.

From greenside on 10, the fan can get a good view of both greens which makes for an optimal viewing spot.  There was a good crowd at the green.  With the pin tucked back left today, it was probably the most accessible pin on the green.  The gallery was rewarded with several birdies.

Behind the manual scoreboard at 10 - the letters are initials of players shown

One in particular was fun.  Ryan Moore hit a great approach to the green - within maybe five feet.  As Moore put the ball for birdie, a kid shouted the menacing "Get in the hole!"  The ball dropped for birdie and Moore pointed to the kid with the finger gun before he picked up the ball so as to say, "That's for you."

The hole is a good beginninger to the second nine, but reminds the player that the rest of the side really lacks drama and pizazz until 18.  Catch it on TV if you can this weekend.