How Did St. George’s Do?

When PGA Tour players began sizing up the St. George’s Golf and Country Club a week ago, the common prediction I heard from players was that the winning score would be somewhere between 10 and 12 under.

There was a respect for the four-inch tangled rough that line the fairways and those sloping greens could cause some problems, so when the score got to 15 under after the third round, everybody seemed confounded as to why players were lighting it up.

The truth is that humid, benign conditions softened the course considerably and the score actually went in backwards slightly with Carl Pettersson winning it at 14 under. As Petterson himself said afterwards, St. George’s can be proud.

“Me and my caddie, every Tuesday when we play a practice round, we go, `What do you think the winning score is going to be?’ We figured right about 10-under,” said Pettersson.

“Even on Friday, I was like, `I can’t believe these guys are shooting 62, 63 out here.’ I think with the greens being soft, that had something to do with it — quite a bit to do with it,” he added.

“If they were firm, it would be really difficult. It’s a great golf course, but if the greens were a little bit firmer, the score would be a lot different,” said Pettersson.

Runner-up Dean Wilson agreed.

“The course is fantastic,” said Wilson. “It’s a beautiful course, I know they might not be happy with Carl winning at 14 under, but you know, we got some weather. The greens were soft, so we could shoot right at the pins.

“I think it’s a positive. I hope it stays in the (Canadian Open) rotation. I haven’t heard one person complain — nothing but positives about this course and this tournament,” he added.

St. George’s was a test case with all of the logistical challenges of holding an Open at an old course in an established area of Toronto. Streets had to be closed and players had to be shuttled from St. George’s to nearby Islington Golf Club for practice. Yet, there was very little grumbling among players.

So what do you think? That’s the topic of our GNN Poll.

How would you assess St. George’s Golf and Country Club as a venue for the RBC Canadian Open?

Be sure to cast your vote at the GNN Poll on the home page and your comments are welcome below.

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