The BWD Tournament Hole of the Week: November 2 – 5, 2017. The 5th at TPC Summerlin, Home of Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Tournament:             Shriners Hospitals for Children Open – TPC Summerlin,  Las Vegas,  NV 

Hole:               5th – Par 3, 197 Yards

Architect(s):               Bobby Weed – 1992

Player Consultant:    Fuzzy Zoeller – 1992

Architectural Summary:

The fifth hole at TPC Summerlin is a demanding 197 yard par three played over desert terrain. The downhill, medium-length par three will test competitors as finding the green complex is imperative to scoring well. The hole plays over a native desert area, requiring a carry of 175 yards to reach the green surround. Club selection will largely depend upon wind conditions, but also pin position as the acute angle of the green from the tee divides the surface into two manageable putting areas. The front half of the green plays deep and relatively narrow, while the back half, due to a bunker pinching into the front right portion, plays wide and shallow. A second greenside bunker guards the rear and will collect shots long to back hole locations. The green slopes from left-to-right back towards the desert wash area and falls off on the front-right and rear-left. Difficult recovery shots will be faced from the desert area short of the green as well as from the rear collection area below the putting surface. Overall, scoring opportunities on TPC Summerlin’s first par three await those who find the correct half of the green, while potential disaster awaits those who miss the green complex from the tee.

Statistical Analysis:

In 2016, the fifth hole played to a scoring average of 3.02 (1 Eagle, 61 Birdies, 305 Pars, 60 Bogeys, 4 Doubles, and 1 “Other”).

Fun Facts:

  • There have been two aces on the 5th hole at TPC Summerlin: Greg Chalmers during the second round of the 2016 tournament and Dan Forsman during the 2003 tournament.
  • 2017 is the 25th consecutive year that TPC Summerlin will host the PGA Tour for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. This year will be the first time that tournament champion will be awarded the Howard Hughes Cup, named for the late business tycoon. The Summerlin community encompasses over 22,500 acres outside Las Vegas developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation.
  • Fuzzy Zoeller, player consultant to Bobby Weed for the TPC Summerlin design, won the inaugural event in 1983 when the tournament was played at Las Vegas Country Club.