US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

[Bellyhungry]

As many of you know, GD/NBC have been hosting an event featuring 1 amateur + 3 celebs at US Open site a week or so prior to the actual tournament to see how they measure up against the pros in (almost) US Open condition.

This year, the celebs are Drew Bree, Marky Mark, and 99.

The amateur, as selected by GD readers, is Peggy Ference, a 56 years old 5-handicapper.

The results?

Bree - 102
Gretzky - 100
Marky Mark - 97
Peggy - 118

I am glad GD readers have a sense of humor by voting for the one person among the 4 or 5 candidates who is probably least likely to score well.

[Borbor]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

course rating for pebble at the tips is 75.5 with a slope of north of 145.

For someone whose drive barely goes over 200 yards, no wonder she scored 118

[Big Shooter]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

...but she said she would fare better than previous competitors because she was more "accurate"....guess NOT!!

[Bentley01]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

...but she said she would fare better than previous competitors because she was more "accurate"....guess NOT!!

She must have a horrendous short game for a 5!

[Rusty]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

My niece, who was a very good collegiate player but hardly plays at all anymore, played Pebble Beach last June. She probably played the men's regular (white) tees and I'm sure it was not a US Open set up. She shot 75.

Rusty

[toturtle]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

Has any amateur done well in this? I remember last year's guy didn't fare that well either. Maybe it has to do with playing with celebrities and being intimidated.

[focal]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

Has any amateur done well in this? I remember last year's guy didn't fare that well either. Maybe it has to do with playing with celebrities and being intimidated.

timberlake, tony romo and Jordan did okay last year...

[Bellyhungry]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

I think the novelty of no-name amateurs playing US Open course setup has come and gone.

[focal]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

I think the novelty of no-name amateurs playing US Open course setup has come and gone.

I think the original concept and challenge was "could a low handicap break 100 on a US Open set up"

I think having 4 no name amateurs try is a good idea...

but I guess for TV value, they knocked it to one amateur and some celebrities.

the recent course setups have eased back on the ultimate torture test, after they "lost the greens" a few years back and had to water during the tournament play

[igoping]

Re: US Open Amateur Challenge *spolier alert*

I have had the honour to play Pebble Beach on the 26th of June. 6.5 - 7" of rough and much reduced fairways were the toughest part of playing this beautiful track. I played it under normal conditions in September last year and I can tell you it is night and day.

Pebble Beach is beautiful to the point of distracting. Playing under scrutiny is another problem when everyone is watching you. The US Open set up is completely different from the AT&T set up.

If you can find the ball in the rough, be happy to advance it about 30 yards at a time - it is that tough. The greens were not so bad. I am used to fast greens and the caddies help out with the breaks but the ROUGH!!