JEFF PATERSON - - - Golfing My Way

Jeff Paterson is a freelance sports talk host on Vancouver's TEAM 1040 SPORTS RADIO and is a contributing writer/commentator for the Georgia Straight and BC Golf News.

Vancouver Golf Tour Commissioner Fraser Mulholland knows the quality of players who'll be competing in his circuit's marquee event. And he wants to make sure, that despite the yardages on the scorecards (Fraserview--6,692 yards, McCleery--6,527, Langara--6,261 yards), all three courses hold their own their own against a high-quality field that will include at least 20 members of the Canadian Tour all vying for the tournament's top prize of $5,000.

Mulholland can't snap his fingers and magically add length to the courses, but he can add a few layers of defense with the way the layouts are set-up. He says players should expect to see the rough up enough to put a premium on accuracy off the tees, but the real test will come on the already undulating greens.

"We could get silly and tuck pins in places the guys can't get to, but we won't do that," Mulholland tells BC Golf News. "We hope to get the greens running (from) 11 to 11 1/2 and we'll find some tough spots for pin locations. But it's mid-September, there are daylight issues and the last thing anybody wants is six-hour rounds."

To ensure that the courses are firm, but fair, Mulholland, himself, will be responsible for the set-up at both McCleery and Langara while working with the Fraserview staff to ready that facility for the tournament. The first two days of competition are slated for Fraserview (including a pro-am on Sunday September 13th) and Langara while those surviving the 36-hole cut will play the final round at McCleery.

While every effort will be made to challenge the field, Mulholland has seen enough great play from his VGT regulars all summer to know that the chances are good someone will go low.

"I'd like to think somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-under for a three day event would win it," he says. "If the weather's decent and if someone throws a 64 or a 65 in there somewhere, then I think we'll be looking at the winning score being around 12 to 14 under."

Among those heading the Vancouver Open field are former Nationwide Tour member and VGT order of merit leader Bryn Parry; from the Canadian tour, 2009 Desjardin Montreal Open champion Stuart Anderson; former PGA Tour player and teaching instructor Phil Jonas; two-time VGT event winner Adam Hadwin and Doug Morgan, recent winner of the PGA of BC championship at Crowne Isle.

With a strong field and the VGT year-end money title still up for grabs, Mulholland is excited to bring the Vancouver Open back to the city of Vancouver. And he knows the players share his enthusiasm about the event and the public venues it'll be played on.

"The guys have been very receptive about having the Vancouver Open back in the city. Having a three-day championship within the city centre where players can stay without having to travel outside of the city or province is a big deal," he says.

"We have a number of players coming from the Island, Whistler and the Interior, so it will be a great selection of players. And guys are excited to play the municipal courses for a big event like this because many have never had an opportunity to ever do such a thing. It will be even more dramatic with the race for the 'Cleveland/Srixon' Order of Merit Title up for grabs. The winner gets a paid entry to the 2009 PGA Tour Qualifying School and the winner of this event has a great chance to be that guy."

But 'that guy' better be prepared to play three days of great golf.

Even though the golf courses being used are short on distance, Mulholland is going to great lengths to ensure that the winner of the Vancouver Open is a deserving champion.

Fraserview, Langara & McCleary
Golf Courses are owned by the City of Vancouver & managed by the
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation.