The United States Golf Association was at Del Paso Country Club on Tuesday, increasing its familiarity with the site of the 2015 U.S. Senior Open.
Jeff Hall, who's responsible for course setup, and Tim Flaherty, who oversees things outside the ropes, arrived from New Jersey and spent the better part of the day on the course with architect Kyle Phillips, superintendent Mark McKinney and Del Paso representatives.
Hall and Flaherty said things are in the "concept" stage. Specifics get dialed in two years before the championship when a course-preparation memo is crafted.
Although yardage options, fairway width, rough height, mowing patterns and grandstand placement were among the many topics discussed, Hall and Flaherty said it was too early to talk specifics.
"We did look at tightening things up," Hall said of the layout that typically plays wide and forgiving for its members. The width of some fairways will likely have to be halved to meet USGA standards.
Flaherty said the area around the 18th green will pose a challenge. The USGA likes to have grandstand seating for at least 1,500 spectators, but that will be difficult with a bowl-shaped green close to the clubhouse, the first tee and the ninth green.
Et cetera
• Cal's Brandon Hagy, Max Homa and Michael Kim, who finished 1-2-3 in the State Fair Amateur Championship at Haggin Oaks over Labor Day weekend, finished 2-3-4 in the 15-team, college season-opening Gopher Invitational last weekend in Minnesota. Loomis' Austin Smotherman, a freshman at SMU, tied for 12th for the runner-up Mustangs. His college-tournament debut included a double eagle in his second round.
• Rocklin High School won the 15-team Helen Lengfeld Memorial Tournament last week at Sunset Whitney. Whitney's Kelsey Ulep (1-under-par 72) and Rocklin's Camille Wagg (72) posted the low rounds.
• Davis' Dennis Younglove shot a 3-under 69 Monday at Peach Tree to earn medalist honors in U.S. Senior Amateur qualifying.
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