Speedy greens have coaches, players talking: Campus Insider: Golf Digest

Speedy greens have coaches, players talking

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Comments

OWINGS MILLS, Md.--According to a handful of players, NCAA officials extended them a bit of an olive branch during the first round of the NCAA Women's Championship Tuesday at Caves Valley GC.

"I think they cut the rough down a little bit," said Denver junior Stephanie Sherlock after shooting a two-udner 70 to grab a share of the individual lead with North Carolina's Catherine O'Donnell. "You could actually see the ball today whereas in the practice rounds it was almost like you could drop one right in front of you and still have a hard time finding it."

While still standing 2 1/2 inches tall, making it nowhere you really wanted to be, the rough seemed to take a back see to greens in terms of the most talked about challenge at Caves Valley.

"I've never played a college tournament where the greens have been faster than here," said Duke senior Amanda Blumenherst. "It's very similar to what you'd find at a USGA event."

Indeed, several coaches said the greens are quicker this week then they can recall for any national championship in recent memory. Most are estimating that the greens are rolling to a 11.5 on the Stimpmeter.