The 3o4.
The Dub.Vee.
The Mountain state.
West “by God” Virginia.
The 2013 Greenbrier Classic.
Happy 237th B-day to my favorite Uncle Sam!!!
Virginia Tech Hokie Brendon de Jonge, 2010 Greenbrier Classic bronze medalist and 2011 fourth place finisher is in the field. Also set to play in the 2012 Classic field is fellow Hokie Johnson Wagner, 2011 Mayakoba Golf Classic winner, 2012 Sony Open in Hawaii winner and 2012 Human Challenge first runner-up. Frank Beamer will be there and so will Techsideline.com and ESPNRadio 1o2.3 Beckley Wv. as well!
So let’s hit from the blue tees for a change.
The Old White Course is of a moderate if not shallow length as tee to green yardage goes. Although it has been modified or lengthened to 7,274 yards -or 56 yards longer tan two years ago- with accompanying faster greens for the 2013 Greenbrier Classic. Its fairways are still generically among the widest on Tour and generally roll comparatively flat in lateral terms from rough to rough. This puts a premium on playing a long-range game as the longer hitters will enjoy the luxury of swinging a mid to short-iron stick after crushing a moon-shot drive on a track that is relative dry (or waterless) by modern era golf course design standards. This reduces penalty strokes our out of bounds risk(s), this increases fun. The Old White Course itself was built in 1914, making it the oldest P.G.A. tour stop on the professional circuit.
Old White Course:
- Out in 34
- In in 36
- Total=70 strokes to par
Here are your 2013 hometown Hokies and their odds on winning:
Brendon de Jonge: ($1,076,5o1)
641 FedEx Cup points: (46th)
Odds to win: 50:1
Tee time: TBA
- Driving Distance: 96th (287.4)
- Greens in Regulation: 22nd (68.4%)
- Putting: 72nd (1.777 per hole)
- loves to fish the New River
- surname pronounced: “Dee-Yong”
- favorite Blacksburg hang-out: “Big Al’s”
Brendon is a big ole husky looking kid; which belies his shorter than expected tee-to-fairway game. Making this robust looking Hokie more parts putting and course management than raw parts power. That said; name me someone else who has improved more in the last two years on Tour than our very own Brendon de Jonge? Not many “survey says” As Brendon is in the midst of his best season ever as year-to-date earnings validate in full. A multi-millionare at the age of 32 does not suck. Neither does what Brendon described to me as having “…an eye for the course” as the Old White Course appears to suit his game and well at that.
De Jonge and his somewhat generously proportioned stature should be in no way shape or form be interpreted as being soft. As he played in the entire 2002 NCAA regional’s with a broken rib. He has however been a tad penalty prone this season although his recent game was rounding into form –well at least until his last four rounds spared over two tournaments as his game appears to have cooled off just a scosche after a very reliable first half ot 2013.
De Jonge has made 16 of 21 cuts thus far this season on Tour. Additionally he has finished 47th or better 13 times this season and that equates to a minimum weekend salary of no less than $16,748 for four days play. Not bad work — if you can get it.
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Montford Johnson Wagner: ($285,078)
195 FedEx Cup points (145th)
Odds to win: 200:1
Tee time: TBA
- Driving Distance: 164th (276.7)
- Greens in Regulation: 117th (63.9%)
- Putting: 179th (1.845 strokes per hole)
- has been seen sporting a Thomas Magnum mustache this season
Somewhere Rick and Tee Cee are smiling…no world yet on “Higgy-baby” or the red Ferrari. (UPDATE: gone is the P.I. Hawaiian Island savvy mustache)
Seventh in FedEx Cup points does not suck. Nor does two tour wins in as many years for the former down-state NY caddy and hockey team captain. Ditto the fact that Mr. Wagner is in serious danger of making the globally prestigious Ryder Cup team if he is not careful.
Such was Mr. Johnson Wager at this very juncture last year. Only two rounds south of 70 strokes in his last 14 rounds played with zero cuts made since o4.18 or in the last 94 odds days is Mr. Wagner as I type. Talk about a humbling sport; geez! Golf is a cruel cruel mistress indeed and although Golf may not be much for your ego; it can do wonders for your contrition. As this time last campaign Mr. Wagner was a medium-shot to make the prestigious Ryder Cup, whereas this year; he is not too far removed from playing for his Tour Card life.
As of this moment, there is not a stick in poor Mr. Wagner’s back that ranks higher in 1o8th best in 2013 Tour Stats. Now compared that to this time last year whereby Mr. Wagner coursed no less than three tour rankings at this time that were a sprightly 21st or better and you can see what I mean. Finally, consider seven missed cuts in a row -including one W.D. (withdraw)- and a blind man can see it with a cane. Johnson could stand a big big weekend up at the Greenbrier Classic every bit as much as a dead man needs a coffin. That uncensored does of realism firmly in place … it is fair to say that Johnson has been better and better every year at the Classic as rolling them out there in their nearest proximity to South Main Street and their former Orange and Maroon stomping grounds appears to afford each former Hokie a little more juice to their game.
I’m looking forward to that, they are looking forward to that; as how totally off the hook EPIC would it be to see a Hokie go up to the 3o4 and steal the Greenbrier Classic and drink from the Black Diamond Cup? So come on by, hear some Kenny Chesney and Aerosmith at night and cheer our two beloved Touring Hokies on to victory by day. As you still can not spell victory without the Vee and the Tee.
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wvu=20, Virginia Tech=21!!!
“LET’S GO!“
“HOKIES!“
bourbonstreet**
