By Bryan Douglass
September 29, 2008 10:41am CDT

The Turning Stone Resort Championship
Atunyote Golf Club @ Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York
- Dates: Thursday, October 2nd – Sunday, October 5th
- 2008 Purse: $6,000,000 (Winning Share: $1,080,000)

Tournament Schedule
First Round – Thursday, October 2 – 3pm EST on the Golf Channel
Second Round - Friday, October 3 – 3pm EST on the Golf Channel
Third Round – Saturday, October 4 – 3pm EST on the Golf Channel
Final Round – Sunday, October 5 – 3pm EST on the Golf Channel


The Course

Atunyote Golf Club
Course Par Value: 72
Course Yardage: 7,482

Atunyote, a beautiful 18-hole course sitting just outside of Turning Stone, presents a parkland setting with vast stretches of open space, gently rolling hills, a stream and small waterfalls, and several lakes. The largest body of water, a 13-acre lake that serves as the hub for several waterways on the course, runs along three fairways including an outstanding and challenging 18th hole that is both long and aesthetically pleasing.

There are more than a few opportunities for birdies and possible eagles on this course, especially for those strong with the putter. Accuracy off the tee is a must while precise long-iron strokes will be on demand for those that want to compete, but in the end (as is often the case), those that putt well will find the scores needed to compete for an oversized check.

Holes to Watch

Hole 3 (Par 3, 198 yds): This strong par 3 is protected by sand along the left side of the green, marking danger for those that fail to choose the right club and account for any wind. Only a very accurate shot will get close to the pin. The well-contoured green slopes from right to left and will challenge even the best TOUR golfers on the links.

Hole 5 (Par 5, 550 yds): This scenic par 5 requires three good shots to set up for birdie, a goal for every golfer on the links. Favor the right side on the tee shot to avoid a blocked view of the floor, then turn to a second shot that needs to avoid the canyon on the left. Big hitters can reach the green in two, but one mistake can quickly turn par into double bogey.

Hole 12 (Par 5, 580 yds): This alluring-yet-demanding par 5 sweeps from left to right off the tee, giving the big hitters room to work the ball, though all need to avoid the large fairway bunkers off the tee. The second shot needs to be left of the fairway to avoid the lake. Long hitters can be aggressive off the tee and, with a solid drive, can get home in two.

Hole 18 (Par 5, 624 yds): Atunyote's longest and most demanding par 5 requires three outstanding shots to have a shot at a red number. Golfers must negotiate sand on the left with water laying in wait on the right. The landing areas for the tee shot and second shot are generous, but the trip into an undulating green, possibly the most challenging green on the course, can be rather ominous. Proper club selection is needed to avoid the large greenside bunkers.


2007 Review

PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Steve Flesch -18 (270)
2 Michael Allen -16 (272)
T3 John Senden -15 (273)
T3 John Mallinger -15 (273)
T5 Tommy Armour III -14 (274)
T5 Mathew Goggin -14 (274)
T5 Charley Hoffman -14 (274)
T5 Parker McLachlin -14 (274)
T5 Carl Pettersson -14 (275)
T10 Bill Haas -13 (275)
T10 Charles Warren -13 (275)


The Field

Held just two weeks after the Ryder Cup and one week after the final playoff tournament for this year’s FedEx Cup, it is hard to imagine many of the top names in the game aren’t due for a rest. That mentality reflects in this year’s field at the Turning Stone Championship.

Thus far, the only names of recognition on the listed field from the PGA include Robert Allenby, Carl Pettersson, Jeff Quinney, Ryuji Imada, Woody Austin, Ben Crane, Peter Lonard, Davis Love III, Charles Howell III, Olin Browne, Briny Baird, Sean O’Hair, Steve Flesch, Ryan Moore, Nick Watney and Johnson Wagner.

To view the entire field, visit this link:
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r481/field.html

Enjoy.