Innisbrook

AT 7,315 YARDS Innisbrook sounds like a beast, but for the Tour pros playing in this week's Chrysler Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla., it's little more than a supersized pitch-and-putt. That's because the bermuda grass is so Brillo-like that the ball sits up as if it's on a tee.

Consider the 18th, a 440-yard par-4. Drive it in the fairway, and players can fire at the pin with a short iron or wedge from a perfect lie. The course's only bona fide defense is its myriad bunkers, including the five guarding both sides of the 18th fairway, but even they are not nearly enough to keep the pros from going deep.

I get emotional when I think about Innisbrook, because that's where I was on Sept. 11, 2001. I was in my RV drawing maps and watching CNN. That day I vowed to honor the innocent victims by putting a tribute on the back cover of my books. Below an American flag I wrote In recognition of and listed the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines as well as the New York Police Department, the Fire Department of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

*For 28 years--since May accompanied by his golden retriever, Woody--Gorjus George has drawn the yardage books that the Tour pros use.

COLOR PHOTO

DAVID WALBERG (LUCAS)

B/W DIAGRAM

DIAGRAM BY GEORGE LUCAS

No. 18 * Par-4 * 440 Yards