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Fantasy Golf: Viking Classic Primer
By Bryan Douglass
The Viking Classic
Annadale Golf Club at Madison, Mississippi
- Dates: Thursday, October 29 - Sunday, November 1
- 2009 Purse: $3,600,000 (Winning Share: $648,000)
Tournament Schedule
First Round - Thursday, October 29 - 2:30-4:30pm ET on the Golf Channel
Second Round - Friday, October 30 - 2:30-4:30pm ET on the Golf Channel
Third Round - Saturday, October 31 - 2:30-4:30pm ET on the Golf Channel
Final Round - Sunday, November 1 - 2:30-4:30pm ET on the Golf Channel
The Course
Annandale Golf Club
Course Par Value: 72
Course Yardage: 7,199
While the Viking Classic carries 37 years of tradition in the making, holding a significant spot in Mississippi's sports scene, this year's tourney may leave fans wanting more. The once-proud member of the PGA schedule has fallen into a difficult spot, played in the same week as the 2008 Ryder Cup and residing one week before the TOUR Championship. As a result, many of the game's elite are likely to take a pass and enjoy a week of rest.
However, for those fighting to make paychecks and earn their PGA cards for next season, this is wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of the more storied courses on the Tour. This course was designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus and offers some of the most spectacular views these golfers will see this season. The course is immaculate and lush in native features for the southern area of the country, including well-maintained swamp areas and tall, looming trees that have been rooted for centuries.
The course layout presents an intriguing but passable challenge for those that go both long and short off the tee as accuracy and ball placement take precedence for those hoping to compete for a win. With the field likely to be filled with the journeymen and lunch-pail members of the Tour, you can bet the competition for the top check will be fierce and several are likely to enjoy their best performances of the season to get in line for the big pay day.
Holes to Watch
Hole 5 (Par 5, 522 yds): The fifth hole consistently ranks, at least according to the numbers, as the easiest hole on the course. This short, downhill par-5 offering yielded 13 eagles last year. If you can drive it long and straight off the tee, you will find ample opportunity to take a swing for the fences here. Make the approach count and putting is as generous as this course will allow.
Hole 8 (Par 3, 209 yds): If you like water in your golf game, this is the hole for you. The green is bordered by water to the front, back and right, presenting a daunting view for those on the tee. You need to play the ball back in the green to employ the slope towards the wet stuff while bunkers await short shots. The green is large but can be damaging if you fail to get above the pin.
Hole 14 (Par 4, 473 yds): This hole is long and it is straight, but this par 4 plays as the most difficult hole on the course. It's out-of-bounds left, and a creek runs behind and to the right of the green. In 2000, No. 14 accounted for 90 bogeys, 13 double bogeys and 1 triple bogey. Golfers will find feast or famine at this link this season and would be wise to shoot for par and call it a gift.
Hole 18 (Par 5, 532 yds): As the PGA notes in their commentary on this closing hole, water comes into play on every shot you'll stroke to reach the green. However, there is no reason to believe the professionals will play it safe, especially if an eagle or birdie will get the win. The green is big enough to hold a 3-wood or long-iron second shot, presenting a true test of ball-control skills that will give each golfer a chance to showcase their own particular talents.
2008 Leaderboard
PLACE / PLAYER / FINAL
1 Will MacKenzie -19 (269)
T2 Marc Turnesa -19 (269)
T2 Brian Gay -19 (269)
T4 Steven Allan -16 (272)
T4 Bill Haas -16 (272)
T4 Casey Wittenberg -16 (272)
7 Greg Kraft -15 (273)
T8 David Toms -14 (274)
T8 Jason Gore -14 (274)
T8 Brad Elder -14 (274)
T8 Woody Austin -14 (274)
T8 Dicky Pride -14 (274)
13 Tom Scherrer -13 (275)
2007 Leaderboard
PLACE / PLAYER / FINAL
1 Chad Campbell -13 (275)
2 Johnson Wagner -12 (276)
T3 Boo Weekley -11 (277)
T3 Bill Haas -11 (277)
T5 John Senden -10 (278)
T5 Shaun Micheel -10 (278)
T5 David Branshaw -10 (278)
T8 Bo Van Pelt -9 (280)
T8 Alex Cejka -9 (280)
T8 Kent Jones -9 (280)
T11 Ken Duke -8 (281)
T11 Harrison Frazar -8 (281)
2006 Leaderboard (Southern Farm Bureau Classic)
PLACE / PLAYER / FINAL
1 D.J. Trahan -13 (275)
2 Joe Durant -13 (275)
3 Lee Janzen -12 (276)
4 J.P. Hayes -11 (277)
T5 Glen Day -10 (278)
T5 Bo Van Pelt -10 (278)
T5 Ted Purdy -10 (278)
T8 Olin Browne -9 (279)
T8 Robert Damron -9 (279)
T8 Fred Funk -9 (279)
T8 Jason Gore -9 (279)
T8 Troy Matteson -9 (278)
T8 Nick Watney -9 (278)
The Field
#IMGRIGHT#As can be expected as one of the last tourneys on the schedule, the Viking Classic has struggled to attract the game's top commodities. Most have completed their seasons and are enjoying time with family and rest. Their status for next season (and many more to come) is secured, as are their bank accounts, leaving the Tour's less prestigious names to do battle with motivations as pure and admirable as any: they want their cards, they want to improve their financial standing, or they simply want that first taste of PGA success.
The field includes three members of the world's top 50: David Toms (33), Ben Curtis (38), and Chad Campbell (44). However, other names of PGA allure are in the mix, including Woody Austin, Tim Herron, Kevin Streelman, Michael Allen, Matt Kuchar, Chez Reavie, Jonathan Byrd, Jeff Klauk, Heath Slocum, Ricky Barnes, Charley Hoffman, Tim Petrovic, Mark Calcavecchia, Charles Howell III, Webb Simpson, Brian Davis, Nick O'Hern, Charlie Wi, Jason Gore, Troy Matteson (winner of last week's Frys.com Open), D.J. Trahan, Steve Flesch, John Mallinger, Johnson Wagner, Steve Elkington, Leif Olson, Marc Turnesa, David Duval, Bryce Molder, Dean Wilson, Ken Duke, Jeff Overton, Rocco Mediate, and none other than the one and only John Daly.
To view the entire field, visit this link.
Enjoy.
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