The 2013 Presidents Cup | ThisWeekSPORTS.com
Page A4
September 26, 2013
Guide to the Muirfield Village Golf Club
Team captains offer their insight to course By DON DELCO THISWEEKSPORTS.COM
Fred Couples and Nick Price may be opposing captains for this year’s Presidents Cup, but the two have shared numerous tee boxes, fairways and greens during their time atop PGA Tour leaderboards. About 12 years ago, both were playing two-and-a-half hours north of Columbus at the World Golf Championship NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron. On the morning before a mid-tournament round, Couples and Price arrived at the practice range. Couples and his caddy, Joe LaCava, were having “a bit of a go” as Price put it in his Zimbabwean accent. So, Couples and Price decided to swap caddies for the coming round. “There was a time I was struggling a little bit with a lot
of things,” Couples said. “I was wearing Joe out. He would have ran to anybody.” With their new caddies in tow, Couples shot a 66, Price shot a 67. Both players moved into the top 10. After lunch, Price returned to the practice range with his original caddy, Jimmy Johnson. “Well, how was it,” Price asked. “It was OK,” Johnson responded. “What’s the difference for caddying for Fred?” “Well, he’s about a half-club longer than you. Doesn’t hit as many shots and he likes to cut the ball.” Price kept prodding. “What was the biggest difference caddying for Fred and me?” Johnson looked Price straight in the eye and said, “The quality of the women in
The Captains NICK PRICE •Age: 56 •Birthplace: Durban, South Africa •Residence: Hobe Sound, Fla. •Captain overview: Price is in his first season as the International Team captain, taking over for Greg Norman. He’s also played in five Cups (1994, ’96, ’98, 2000 and ‘03). Price finished with 18 victories on the PGA Tour, five on the European Tour and he has four on the Champions Tour. Price is a three-time major winner. He won the PGA Championship in 1992 and 1994 and won the British Open in 1994. In 2003, Price was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. In nine appearances at the Memorial Tournament, Price’s best finished was 10th in 1995.
the gallery.” Price told this story sitting along side Couples at Muirfield Village Golf Club last October, a year before the start
FRED COUPLES •Age: 53 •Birthplace: Seattle •Residence: La Quinta, Calif. •Captain overview: Couples is making his third consecutive appearance as the U.S. Team captain, as he led the Americans to victories in the last two matches in 2011 and 2009. He’s also played in five Presidents Cups (1994, ’96, ’98 and 2005). Couples is a 15-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1992 Masters Tournament, and an eight-time winner on the Champions Tour. Earlier this year, Couples was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. In 22 appearances at the Memorial, Couples won the event in 1998 and finished alone in second in 2004 and 2005.
of this year’s Presidents Cup. The close friendship these two share was evident. That friendship will take another competitive twist at the Presidents Cup.
“Fred and I go back a long way,” Price said. “Thirty-odd years. Obviously Fred and I have been counterparts. We’ve played so much golf together over the years. He’s been a great friend, and I know he’s going to be a tough adversary.” Couples is in his third consecutive stint as U.S. team captain. He is 2-0. Price is in his first year, replacing Greg Norman. Couples and Price are familiar with Muirfield Village Golf Club. Couples, who will turn 54 on Oct. 3, has played in 22 of the 37 Memorial Tournaments. He won the event in 1998 and finished second in 2004 and 2005. In all, Couples, has 14 PGA Tour wins, three on the European Tour and eight on the Champions Tour. His lone major championship was the 1992 Masters Tournament. He was inducted into the World
No. 1
No. 2
2013 Memorial Tournament Average Score: 4.091 Eagles: 1 Birdies: 42 Pars: 264 Bogeys: 73 Double Bogeys: 3 Triple Bogey+: 0
2013 Memorial Tournament Average Score: 4.023 Eagles: 0 Birdies: 69 Pars: 242 Bogeys: 66 Double Bogeys: 6 Triple Bogey+: 0
Nick Price, International Team Captain: No. 1 is a fairly straightforward hole, slight dogleg to the right. The ideal angle into the pin is from the left side of a generous fairway. For most guys it’s probably a 3-wood off the tee and a short iron into the green.
Fred Couples, U.S. Team Captain: It’s a very good driving hole to a green that’s protected by a couple bunkers with water to the right side. It’s a very good second hole for any Presidents Cup. Four would be good here. Birdie will win the hole.
Par 4, 470 yards Overall rank: Ninth toughest
Golf Hall of Fame this year. Price appeared in nine Memorial Tournaments. His best finish was 10th in 1995. In all, Price has 15 wins on the PGA Tour including three major championships – the 1992 British Open and the British Open and PGA Championship in 1994. Both players have expressed their adoration of Muirfield Village Golf Club, which Golf Magazine recently selected it No. 27 among the Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. and No. 48 in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the world. About a month before ascending to central Ohio for the Presidents Cup, the captains took some time to give their thoughts on each hole, of which you will find throughout this section. ddelco@thisweeknews.com
Par 4, 455 yards Overall rank: Second toughest
Nick Price
Fred Couples
Stay Connected. AN UPSCALE TAVERN EXPERIENCE 6725 AVERY-MUIRFIELD DR. | 614.799.9100 1400 GRANDVIEW AVE.| 614.754.1026
My Primrose Mobile App – Parenting Tips, Educational Game and more! Primrose Schools located in: Dublin • Hilliard • Powell Westerville • Worthington
1.800.PRIMROSE
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT MTMTAVERN.COM
FREE APP! Scan to download.
©2013 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved.
ALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME. THISWEEKSPORTS.COM