Looks like anyone following all those hard-nosed golfers that want nothing more than to join the Tour will be seeing a familiar venue this year. That’s right, the PGA Tour announced that it will officially be holding it’s 2009 Qualifying Tournament at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida this year.
Jack Nicklaus Designed Bear Lakes
As you may, or may not know, Bear Lakes was designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the most famous members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. This tournament, one of the most exciting of the year in my humble opinion, as it features 160 players playing their hearts out trying to earn their Tour Card for the 2010 season. The tourney spans six full rounds, 108 holes, and this year will be held from December 2-7.
Two Courses For Bear Lakes
Bear Lakes actually features two courses, the par 72 Lakes Course and the par 72 Links course. As mentioned this isn’t the first time this course has been used for the Qualifying Tournament, as it was used in 1995 and 2001 previously. Looks like there will be some changes on the course for players to watch out for this year. According to reports, and Jack Nicklaus:
“These courses represent two very different playing experiences and styles of golf, so they should test every facet of the players’ games…The Lakes Course is a good conventional test of golf and a bit stronger (after the redesign). The Links Course is more of a true links course than it was before. It is interesting golf, the type of course that takes a bit of learning and some patience. I think the players will have fun with it.”
Long Way Out, But Excited Nonetheless
Fun indeed, and I know we’ll all have fun watching. It’s a long ways away, but personally, we can’t wait.
