Warwick Hills

Most of the golfers I meet while doing my job are friendly, but
sometimes I run into what I call a Double Grump--a golfer who
sees my Christmas-red cart and golden retriever and acts as if I
have no business invading his personal domain. My DG Hall of
Shame includes a man at Oakmont who threw his putter at my
surveying prism, some ladies at Torrey Pines who told me to stick
my equipment "where the sun doesn't shine" and an old man I
recently encountered at Warwick Hills, site of this week's Buick
Open.

This DG was playing with his wife, and as she prepared to swing I
was measuring a sprinkler that was well out of her way. "Isn't
there another hole you could do?" Mr. DG said.

I began to apologize, but he screamed, "Go get in somebody else's
way!" Yikes! I let him vent for a while and then drove to a
different part of the course.

The 17th, a terrific par-3, reminds me of Mr. DG because it used
to be the most volatile hole on Tour (until Buick Open officials
moved the huge beer concession away from the green a few years
ago). Playing to a two-tiered, pear-shaped green, pros who land
their ball on the same tier as the flagstick will have a good
birdie chance. Those who don't, face a tough two-putt for par.

*For 28 years--the last two months with his golden retriever,
Woody--Gorjus George has drawn the yardage books that the pros
use.

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID WALBERG (LUCAS)

B/W DIAGRAM: DIAGRAM BY GEORGE LUCAS No. 17 N Par-3 N 198 Yards