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Golf: A Look Ahead At Doral And The WGC-Cadillac Championship

By Les Bailey

Mar 10, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Fans in the gallery behind Tiger Woods take photographs with their camera
Mar 10, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Fans in the gallery behind Tiger Woods take photographs with their camera /
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With the weather hopefully cooperating this week in South Florida, The WGC-Cadillac Championship will get underway Thursday morning at the Doral Blue Monster in Doral, Florida. Doral is located in the Miami area of Florida, and is usually referred to as South Beach. The Doral Golf Resort and Spa is owned by the Trump Organization.

Sep 18, 2011; Lemont, IL, USA; Justin Rose reacts on the green of the 18th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2011; Lemont, IL, USA; Justin Rose reacts on the green of the 18th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /

Formerly known as The Doral Country Club, it hosts five courses on the property, but the tournament will be played on the Blue Monster, and next year will be called The Donald Trump WGC-Cadillac Championship. The Blue Monster was designed by Dick Wilson, and opened for play in 1962. It is a par 72 layout, and plays to 7288 yards. It has a handicap 76.8, and a slope rating of 143.

Steven Ames holds the course record here with a 61 shot in 2000, Justin Rose is the defending champion. The golf course is long, and strong, but has putt able greens. The one thing that can quickly turn it into the monster that commiserates it’s name, is the wind.

The weather outlook for the tournament is calling for a standard forecast of partly cloudy skies, highs in the mid to upper 70’s, and a chance of thunder showers in the afternoon. Unlike the Honda Classic last week, where South Florida had a little taste of winter, we should return to softly blowing palm trees, and shots of Alligators at every hole.

The WGC is expecting a strong field of world class golfers from around the world. It is truly a world event where only the best need apply. Last weeks winner, and runner-up, Michael Thompson, and Geoff Ogilvy will see action at Doral, and not be relegated to Puerto Rico. The obvious person that will again be missing when the action starts on Thursday, is FedEx Cup leader, Brandt Snedeker.

Snedeker continues to rehabilitate his sore ribs that he picked up at the Humana Challenge, and has yet to commit to Tampa, or Bay Hill. He is on a week by week decision that is totally driven by his health problems. I, for one, am anxious to see him return.

With a little luck, we will get at least 36 holes out of the worlds number one player. I have a feeling Rory McIlroy will be back this week, and eager to make his first cut of the year.

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