Barrington, R.I. — There will be no Cheyenne Woods sighting at next month’s U.S. Women’s Amateur tilt. But just because Tiger Woods’ niece failed to qualify for the 111th playing of the USGA contest does not mean Rhode Island Country Club won’t offer a right and proper challenge to the rest of the field. Indeed, the 6,456-yard, par-71 layout will test the best of the 156 women who will tee it up from August 8-August 14 on the layout that features parkland, wooded, and seaside holes. “Thirteen through 18 are excellent closing holes,” said course superintendent Tom Hoffer, who noted that prevailing breezes could have an impact on the outcome of several matches. “Fourteen is a long [364-yard], uphill par-4 that plays into the teeth of the wind.” While the contestants will be focused on the task at hand, Hoffer hoped they would take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. The 380-yard par-4 15th along the bay offers “the best views in the country,” he averred.
Players would also be wise to hone their short games, since the century-old Donald Ross course will demand the surest of strokes with the flat stick. “These greens are some of the best in the northeast,”Hoffer said about the putting surfaces that will run between 10 and 11 on the Stimpmeter. “ The shapes, the contours — you can tell Ross put a lot of thought into designing them.” Maintaining the course for the nine days (including two for practice) of the USGA’s premier amateur event for women was nothing new for Hoffer. The veteran super readied the circuit for the annual CVS Caremark Charity Classic in 2010 and this year and has done the same for major championships across the country. But the task was not without its trials – especially when dealing with the vagaries of a New England summer.
“The tough thing about hosting a tournament in August is the weather,” Hoffer told NEGM. “It can be hot and dry toward the end of summer.” As if on cue, recent temperatures soared from a typical summer reading of 85 into the triple digits — conditions that can make it difficult to maintain speedy fairways and greens. A 2006-2007 renovation that raised some of the low-lying areas helps the course drain, which has been critical in dealing with this spring and summer’s heavy rains. “We’re hoping for a more normal Rhode Island summer but preparing for the worst,” said Hoffer. “We’re prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at us.”
(Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. Check her out on the Waggle
Room, Boston Golf Examiner, National Golf Examiner, and GottaGoGolf websites.
You may also followKay on Twitter @golfexaminer.)
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