Bellerive Surface Has Players Excited

By Ken Klavon, USGA

Town and Country, Mo. – Strolling off the driving range at Bellerive Country Club, George Zahringer couldn't remember the last time he played a course that featured zoysiagrass.

"The only time I played on it was here," Zahringer said in a way that came as a surprise to himself. The only other time Zahringer played Bellerive was in 1981, when the U.S. Mid-Amateur made its debut.

As players continued to arrive Monday -- 31 of them a bit wearily after playing the Senior British Open -- an underlying excitement permeated the air. The fact that the 25^th U.S. Senior Open will break a record as the longest course to date didn't faze many. A dissection of the playing surface seemed to hold more interest for some.

"You get more perfect lies, for sure," said Allen Doyle, who added that the Champions Tour doesn't see too many zoysiagrass courses.

"I think zoysia is a sensational surface," said Zahringer, the 2002 Mid-Amateur champion. "The blade of the grass is thick and you can tee it up."

Off to the side of a practice putting green, 2001 Senior Open champion Bruce Fleisher echoed the same thoughts but with a caveat.

"[The ball] sets up perfectly. But the bottom line is right there – it all comes down to the putting green," he said.

The Robert Trent Jones-designed course, which opened its doors in 1960, will set up at 7,117 yards, par 71, surpassing Edgewood Tahoe Country Club (Stateline, Nev.) in 1985. Incidentally, when the 1965 U.S. Open was contested at Bellerive, it also set a length record at 7,191 yards, which has since been smashed. And when the PGA Championship came here in 1992, it also played long at 7,148 yards. Not a record but one of the longer PGA Championships of that era.

In preparing for the event this week Tom Meeks, USGA Senior Director of Rules and Competitions, took into account that narrowing fairways to 26-28 yards wide might require some re-sodding in places. That's exactly what happened on the fourth, fifth, seventh, 12^th, 14^th and 17^th fairways. The torn-up sod was replaced with fescue and rye grass. Next year's setup for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 should be less of a problem, Meeks said, because it's all bermudagrass and can be mowed in different patterns to reach what the USGA is trying to accomplish.

In terms of how this all relates to zoysia, length should have little to do with who comes out on top Sunday although those with a strong mid- to long-iron games might have a slight advantage. However, if rain hits, the softer course will definitely play long.

What's appealing about zoysia is that it forms a rigid turf with excellent wear resistance. It's also an adaptable type grass to a particular region, like St. Louis.

Depending on who you ask, it may prove beneficial to a sweeping kind of ball-striker.

"With the equipment now," said two-time Senior Open winner Hale Irwin, "[length] isn't that big of deal versus in 1992.

"I think with the surface you have to make slight modifications. It probably is [beneficial] for a sweeping kind of swing. You make fewer modifications."

For players who are more on top of the ball, ala Craig Stadler, they might be forced into uncomfortable alterations Irwin believes.

Zahringer feels otherwise, saying there is no distinct advantage for anyone.

"The implication is that with higher iron shots, you tend to put a little more spin on the ball," he said. "But I don't think it favors any particular ball-striking style."

Still, as Fleisher said, the winner will probably evolve from outstanding putting. In any case, it's getting to the green that shouldn't be the problem.

Story written by Ken Klavon, USGA Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.