Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Kodak Challenges golfers on PGA West par-3 17th hole

The Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players and fans, visits hole #17 at the Palmer Private Course of PGA West during the Bob Hope Classic on February 19-23.  The 130-yard par 3 at the Bob Hope Classic is the 2nd of 30 Kodak Challenge holes on the 2011 PGA TOUR this season.

The trip to the Bob Hope Classic marks a unique transition for the season-long $1 million Kodak Challenge competition, as it moves from the PGA TOUR’s longest hole (the 663-yard No. 18 at Kapalua) to the shortest (the 130-yard No. 17 at PGA West).

Robert Garrigus and Bubba Watson both eagled the first Kodak Challenge hole of the season at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and co-lead the Kodak Challenge at 2-under-par.  Watson is scheduled to play in the Bob Hope Classic.

The Kodak Challenge celebrates the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf. PGA TOUR pros must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million.

Troy Merritt won the 2010 Kodak Challenge in a sudden-death playoff on No. 17 at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. Merritt defeated Rickie Fowler and Aaron Baddeley in a one-hole playoff at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magnolia Course in Lake Buena Vista, FL, to capture the Kodak Challenge trophy and the winner-take-all $1 million prize.


About Hole #17 at the Bob Hope Classic

Proper position is a must on this beautiful, yet dangerous little hole. The 130-yard par 3 No. 17 offers a panoramic view of PGA West and its surrounding mountains.  The deep narrow green is well bunkered on the left and protected by rocks on the right side.  Players must watch the pin placement carefully, as this tricky green slopes right to left towards a nearby canal.  The PGA TOUR’s shortest hole, No. 17 was the 7th hardest hole at the Bob Hope Classic in 2010, yielding 43 birdies, 124 pars, 29 bogeys and 5 double bogeys.


PGA West 17

 credit: PremierAerials.com


“The 2011 Kodak Challenge schedule builds upon the tremendous success of the 2010 season, offering players greater opportunities to participate and move up the leaderboard, while showcasing to fans the greatest scorecard in golf,” said Steve Powell, director of development for the Kodak Challenge.


The Kodak Challenge will once again highlight many of golf’s most exciting and picturesque holes in 2011 as players take on “the greatest scorecard in golf.” From the breathtaking 18th hole at The Plantation Course at Kapalua and the one-of-a-kind 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, to the fabulous finishing holes at Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and Bay Hill, the Kodak Challenge provides fans and players a unique and compelling competition within a competition.


The Kodak Challenge schedule includes 26 of the 30 holes from the 2010 season. The RBC Canadian Open and The Barclays will debut new Kodak Challenge holes in 2011 as the tournaments visit new tournament venues. The Farmers Insurance Open moves to a new Kodak Challenge hole this year, the 570-yard, par-5 18th on the Torrey Pines South Course. Twenty-nine of the 30 Kodak Challenge tournaments for 2011 have been finalized. An announcement on the 30th tournament will be made in the near future.


For more on the Kodak Challenge visit pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, twitter.com/kodakchallenge, and 1000words.kodak.com/kodakchallenge.


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Read more about the Kodak Challenge on Golf for Beginners

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