How good are the players who will be here for the Senior Amateur?
About as good as the best local players regardless of age — in other words, the top Seniors would challenge in our best event, the Gate Open. The minimum age is 55 but you won’t see many pudgy old guys. These are the best athletes in their class and they look like it.
Will the golf fan know any of the players?
Probably not. There are a few recognizable senior names but not many. Of the 156 who qualified for last year’s championship at St. Louis, the average golf fan may have recognized two: former U.S. Amateur champ Vinny Giles and Middleburg’s Jim Kuhn.
How many from North Florida will be there?
Two. Gary Verble of Ponte Vedra Beach and Dr. Steve Beckert, a Palatka dentist.
Do either have a chance to make the top 64 in qualifying and advance to match play?
Verble is a former professional and has a chance. This appears to be out of Beckert’s league.
Do they need caddies?
Yes. The players can use carts, but the USGA estimates that about 45 will walk in the qualifying rounds. The USGA has set a fee of $35 per loop plus tip. If you’re interested, call the Timuquana pro shop at 389-0477.
Can I volunteer?
Sure. They need marshals and spotters. The pro shop will sign you up — call 389-0477.
Where will I park?
The spots around the clubhouse will be reserved for players and officials so you’ll have to go to the satellite lot at the end of Timuquana Road. They’ll shuttle you the quarter-mile or so in 6-seat carts.
Is there an admission fee?
No.
Pairing sheets?
Yes. Free, too.
Concessions?
Timuquana’s “tee stand” will be open and they will open another stand if needed. Cash only. You can sign the tab if you’re a Timuquana member or a member of a club with reciprocating privileges.
Will it be crowded?
The USGA estimates the total — that’s the total for the whole tournament — will be around a thousand, which means you won’t have any trouble seeing. Remember the 1994 U.S. Amateur at the TPC? Fewer than 500 were there when Tiger Woods won the final match.
What will it take to qualify for match play?
A USGA official said he thought scores would be high and that he wouldn’t be surprised if a pair of 79s made the field.
If I want to watch in one place, where should I go?
• The third green, fourth tee and eighth green are close to each other and each will have something to see. No. 3’s green is small and elevated with danger if you miss it. The player has an option on his tee shot on the par-5 4th of carrying bunkers and having a shot at the green in two or playing safe to the right. No. 8 is a short par three with a difficult putting surface, especially if the pin is on the finger at the back left.
• The 12th green and 13th tee are within 20 yards. No. 12 is a long par-5 that’s best played by leaving a full wedge, and No. 13 is the longest and hardest par 3.
What are the key holes?
• No. 12 is an extremely difficult short par 4 because of the approach shot; it’s easy to hit a reasonably good shot and see it spin back into the water. It can quickly deflate a player’s ego.
• No. 15 is a reachable par-5 but the second shot must carry a pair of slash bunkers, one about 150 yards from the green and the other about 100. A slight mis-hit can leave a very difficult third shot. This is a birdie hole and a gambler can catch up.
• No. 17 has a string of bunkers down the left side, and in the direct line from tee to green. If a player chooses to try and carry the bunkers, he can gain up to 75 yards over an opponent who chooses to play safe to the right.
How long will be course be?
They’ll play from what the members use as the “blue” tees, the second-longest setup at about 6,550 yards. Several holes can vary widely — for instance, the par-4 7th sometimes plays at 390 and sometimes the markers are on the front of the back tees at 425. The par-3 fifth can go from 165 to 195.
What’s the biggest challenge?
The rough. Superintendent Chris Neff has left a thin “first cut” about four feet off the fairway, but then it gets gnarly. It’s not U.S. Open rough, but it’s going to produce plenty of comment as the players will have to hack their way out.
Can the members play Timuquana during
the tournament?
No. Not even during the final match on Oct. 3, when only two men are left.
How can I play Timuquana?
It’s a private club and there’s no daily-fee play, but you have a few options. The club accepts a limited number of charity events. You also can play as a guest of a member.