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Holes Of Fame: TPC No. 18

Chris Urso / The Tampa Tribune

Birds stand along the water that borders the 18th fairway at TPC of Tampa Bay.

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TBO.com

Published: February 5, 2008

Our experts offer tips on how to play the 18th hole at the TPC of Tampa Bay.

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Playing 456 yards from the tips or 404 from the white tees, this par-4 is tough enough to be one of the most menacing finishing holes on the entire Champions Tour when the seniors come to the annual Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

Water along the right side extends from tee to green with lean cypress trees sprouting tall from the hazard. To the left, hidden behind large mounding is OB (the practice range). And if that's not enough to think about, along with being heavily bunkered off the tee, the hole is a very subtle dogleg right that plays visual tricks on even the lowest handicappers.

"You can play your tee shot to the left and try to stay away from the water, but that ends up adding yardage to your approach shot," said club general manager Brady Boyd.
"So it's a bit of a tradeoff. Also, there's a bunker guarding the right side on the tee shot, but as we approach tournament time the rough height will come into play if you choose to keep it left."

Even if golfers respond to the testy tee shot, there is plenty of work ahead. Water on the right, front bunkering and a deep swale off the back of a sloping green can continue to torment.

Mick Elliott

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