Ryder Cup Preview

#1, Par Four

Date: July 2012

Location: Gleneagles Resort, Perth Scotland

Course: PGA Centenary Course

Golfers: Cody and I 

Conditions: No rain and rather pleasant. Fairways were soggy which made the course play long. Temps: 15-18 Celsius (60-64 F) and light winds. 

Details: Four memorable courses in a seven day stint with a great friend from home (Part 2 of 3).

Ready to Tee Off

Overview: With one round in the books, we had an early afternoon tee time the next day at Gleneagles- PGA Centenary Course. There are three courses at Gleneagles: Kings, Queens and recently remodeled PGA course which will hold the 2014 Ryder Cup. Looking at the options, it was a no brainer to get a sneak peak of the Ryder Cup venue. The estate is situated about an hour northwest of Edinburgh in the hilly region of Perth. The courses are Parkland style (target golf) which made us feel at home as it resembled some nice courses in the states. Being that this was the second straight day of golf, we made it a overnight stay for the four of us with our wives enjoying the Spa facilities (we figured this was the safest way to go about this). 

Fuel for the round

Golf Details: Once we arrived and had the ladies safely secured in the Spa for the next few hours, we headed off to grab a quick bite and to get loose on the range before our early afternoon tee time. The lunch was great, one of the best club sandwiches I've had and Cody enjoyed fish and chips to get the Scottish vibes going. Fat and happy we head off to stretch and take on the course. We decided to play the back boxes of the day to get the Ryder Cup feel so we could compare our shots to golf greats like Tiger and Phil. Total yardage was 6800 that day from the back and it played much longer due to wet conditions and getting no run out in the fairways. That being said, there won't be much comparison between the pros and our attempt at greatness except that we may have had the same lunch as them.

Birdie in mind on par 5 approach

The course is a par 72 and the front nine opens with a 394 par four with a little trouble off the fairway if you miss right. I have a good drive, miss an approach and bogey the first. Cody goes off right but plays an amazing shot out of the rough to give himself a two putt par. Although the course is wet from all the rain, it was in great condition and the greens were just fine with their Subair system to keep them dry. #2 is a dogleg left par five with an elevated tee box and awesome view. A miss right will be in unplayable rough/brush and sadly I tested this theory with no avail. As we play through the front nine, we discuss Ryder cup predictions for this year and then again in 2014. It's always fun to play courses that host big tournaments. We made a few holes interesting with "it's all on the line scenarios." Some we did the USA proud, some we'd prefer to forget about. Luckily, it was all fun and games and the Ryder cup didn't rest on my 10 footer. 

#6 was a great par 3. It played about 180 and was well protected by bunkers and a small pond in front of the green. I'm sure in 2014 they'll have it shaved tight all the way where anything short will be water. Hopefully a few Brits will find the drink on that one..

#6 Par Three

Search crew on #13

We made the turn, recapped the nine and started fresh with a long par three on #10. After the par three, we run into 5 straight par fours. They range in distance from 308 to 465 which will add some excitement in 2014 with eagle opportunities and more strategic views on the longer ones. By hole 13 were getting a bit worn out from pushing our carts in the soft, sand like conditions in the fairways. Unfortunately, this was the longest of the bunch and Cody was determined to attack it in two like Mr. Watson on a 650 yard par 5. After a strong drive he hit a high three wood that detoured right, some 100 yards into the rough, never to be seen again. As I'm watching the well struck boomeranging shot fly through the air, Cody calmly says, "Keep an eye on it.." This gave us both a good laugh which is always needed after a tough shot. On the same hole..I hit a good drive, nice second, duffed the third and chipped in from about 60 yards to make a poor man's par on a tough hole, but hey I'll take it. Cody had more commentary on this hole, as it was going in the air, " That damn thing is going to slam dunk it!" Sure enough one hop and draino in the back of the cup.. the high fives, USA chants and a bit of other unnecessary celebration ran amuck for a few minutes. 

#18 is going to be very fun to watch. It's a shorter par five with a two tiered green and an army of bunkers surrounding it. A lot can happen for the big hitters going at it in two, and the risk reward will be very entertaining when a birdie is a must have. I managed a par to finish the back nine 5 over which felt good after a pretty rough front nine. Cody and I shook hands as always, and took one last look as we walked off hoping the US will be victorious in two years on the course we just played. 

Round Recap 

Favorites: View from #2, walking the course of a Ryder Cup Venue, Cuban and Scotch after dinner in their outdoor lounge going over the good, bad and ugly from the round . We had a great dinner with the four of us to recap the Spa and Golf day. 

Final Thoughts: Gleneagles is a top class resort with great food, golf and stunning views all over the property. The Ryder cup will be well served in 2014 and has the approval from myself and Cody, in case anyone was wondering.