The Bear Trap: PGA National
by Adam Fonseca on Mar 2, 2011 8:10 PM EST
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This week's PGA Tour stop brings us to PGA National and the Honda Classic, so that means we will be treated once again to the trials and tribulations of players on what has widely been called "The Bear Trap" -- holes 15, 16, and 17. Ranked as the toughest non-major course on Tour in 2010 (averaging nearly 71.5 strokes per round), PGA National's Nicklaus-designed track certainly packs its fair share of bite for even the best players in the world.
The three-hole stretch on PGA National's back-9 has almost taken on a life of its own over the years, even to the point of offering specialized ticket prices and seating for the classic. As the Honda Classic official website suggests, fans can purchase seats in a gigantic pavilion on the course between the 16th and 17th holes (sponsored by Goslings Rum): $75 for Thursday and Friday's rounds, $100 for Saturday and Sunday.
So what exactly was Nicklaus' vision when creating these incredibly difficult holes -- which includes a tight par-4 bookended by the par-3 15 and 17th holes-- and what was he attempting to stress in the design? As the Golden Bear told USAToday in a recent interview, the answer is simple: accuracy and confidence.
"That stretch is about precision," said Nicklaus, who added that the three holes will stand the test of time even if the golf ball flies 1,000 yards in the future. "That stretch is about guts."
You ain't lying, Jack. Furthermore, past champions of the Honda Classic have frequently stated that playing well on these three holes is critical to their success... and it shows.
Of the last four Classic tournament winners -- Camilo Villegas, Ernie Els, Y.E. Yang, and Mark Wilson-- are a combined 1-over par on the Bear trap in their respective winning years, according to Yahoo! Sports.
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Jack's Back
What a career this man has had! He was the THE player of his era. He holds THE most important record in golf. Now he’s the grand old man of golf course architecture. I would conservatively guess there have been 100K comments about how Tiger Woods has dominated the media. Tiger, Tiger Tiger!!!! Wasn’t there something here recently about “Tiger fatigue”? I can’t remember anyone ever complaining about Bear fatigue, but haven’t we been Golden Bear’ed to death? But there were no blogs during Jack’s playing days. Even if you did feel Jack was over exposed you couldn’t express it like you can now with Tiger. I followed Jack & Co, at one of the Skins Games at PGA West’s Stadium Course. Even in this “fun” event he was by far the most aloof, business-like player of the group. He certainly wasn’t a crowd favorite at the start of his career… It is in this context of viewing another dominant player with an animal sobriquet that I question why Woods is so reviled… The best answer I can come up with is emotion. Jack has that Germanic, (think Langer) stoic deameanor, especially no outward displays of anger or disappoinment. The only club throwing I’ve ever seen was his putter after he won the British Open, but that was spontaneous jubilation. I remember the tape of Hunter Mahan weeping after his loss at the Ryder Cup. Can you even imagine Jack doing that? We like our golfers in the style of Hogan. At least we did… Now Bubba Watson is “sensitive” when he weeps after a victory…. And yes, I know his father was ill with cancer. Tiger did have an extreme emotional reaction after winning the Open after is father had died…but I don’t recall a flood of sympathy about that… So, I guess we’ll grin and (golden) bear it.
Yesterday, here at the Honda Classic
I had the honor of meeting Jack for the first time . To say the least it was and will be in the top-5 highlights of my career to date. Very humbling indeed.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
Any truth to the rumor that you got a picture with Nicklaus and went with the Ali “fist to the chin” pose ? :-D
Are vegetarians allowed to have butterflies in their stomach?
hahahahaha
No, I’m saving that one for my June meeting with Capt. Phil Hanson of the Northwestern and the Hillstrand Brothers who captain the Time Bandit from the TV Series Deadliest Catch.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
And at the Honda....
Nasty winds are going to blow many players away. Among them Camilo Villegas, the defending champion. I believe he was out after the first round last week. He’s a great asset to the Tour. To see someone so young and fit suffer with injury should demonstrate that professional golf is no “walk in the park”.
of COURSE it’s blowing Camilo away – he’s the top rated player that I put on my fantasy team ! (the cooler lives)
Are vegetarians allowed to have butterflies in their stomach?
Yup, just like Sir says
me-d-ocer team,,,,lousy manager….Start yur begging, it’s only the first day….STUB
STUB
BRUTAL Day......
I only had 30 points, but when I checked out those around me, they did worse. I will be back in 1st place after this round…….Sorry Wendy, maybe your guys will actually show up tomorrow. I think it will be a bad week for all…..:)
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
Wendy further resistance is useless
In the name of the King I demand that you surrender!!!!
"You stupid boy" ! (;o)
“Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Scrums,
If you think I’m on the run,
Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Scrums,
If you think ol’ Wendy’s done”!
ahhhh nice try em I had 32 pts
and my g/f had 40 pts, she will surge ahead of you hehe :o)
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
Jumpn......go check it out.......Who's #1 and Who's #5??????.....:)
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
gee wiz brother EM , I must have been over tired with my fuzzy math
funny only 18 points separate us in the top-5, It looks a lot like the OWGR. lol
Good on ya Mr #1, enjoy it while it last.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
One Day and done.......it was good while it lasted.......:)
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
Good times
Always some nice banter and friendly trash talkin once in a while in WR. And then there is Wendy, always the Queen Mother and voice of reason, keepin it real. Like I said, “Good Times”
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
Wendy............The Queen Mother!!
does that mean that she drinks Gin and Dubonnet mixed with ice in a crystal tumbler with a slice of lemon and has a wager on the gee-gees…………say it ain’t so.:0)
by scrumsndswings on Mar 5, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Crikey! Only if I can be the Helena Bonham Carter version
No Dubonnet & lemonade for me – although I do bet on the gee-gees occasionally.
It's no good
appealing to my better side – I don’t have one! However, I suspect you’re already looking up the beer list.
Damm Easy...don't engage this black widow
in banter…she is already checking how she can pluck your heart and liver and discard your rav-edged bones to the dogs…I’m tellin ya mate…I done seen lots of this type…best thing is to keep silent, and just do a beat done on her on the course….do not, as yur manager, I repeat….take this match lightly….And, whilst waiting for the match….check over yur shoulders in the dark…She will resort to any and all kinds of intimidations…..STUB
STUB
That was a great show no doubt just imagine
what they would have done with Tiger!!!!!.Reagan and Thatcher were priceless!
Handbags at dawn!
Dread to think what they would have done with Tiger – well, OK, perhaps not “dread” in that sense. Would have been an absolute hoot.
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