2008 SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF
JEFE VERSUS JIMBO
ARCADIA BLUFFS GOLF CLUB
11th Hole: Par 5, 594 yards
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The 11th hole is probably the most photographed hole at Arcadia Bluffs, the long downhill par 5 that trundles down towards Lake Michigan. Even at 594 yards, the opportunity is there to reach it in two or come close with a big drive, thanks to the wild slopes and mounds in the fairway.
With the match all-square through 10 holes, the pressure is palpable. Neither player is able to take advantage of the fairway slopes...Jimbo hitting a weak fade into the right rough and well-back and Jefe continuing his misadventures with a wild hook way up into the faux-dunes. Jefe's fourth and Jimbo's third were from spots where you'd want to drive to be...never a good sign.
Both players hit very good long chip shots, utilizing the backboard behind the hole. However, Jimbo's 10-footer for par never had a chance, and after pulling one on the last hole, Jefe predictably pushed one here from similar length to end up with a disappointing seven. Hey, I never promised it was going to be pretty. Only compelling. Jimbo takes a one-stroke lead.
[Note: Contrary to what he told Bernie, Jimbo really did hit a giant crow with his car on the way to the course.]
Jefe: Another short left one that put me in a really bad spot. My lie was awful, the stance bad too. I barely could get a club on it and didn't get the ball off the ground. I was hitting 9 iron for my third to lay up, and luckily was able to get the ball back to the fairway. My fourth left myself a tough chip, but I was able to use the slope behind the hole to get the ball fairly close but like on the tenth I couldn't convert and made double. From this point I knew that if I was going to score at all that I would need to do it with my chipping and putting because I wasn't hitting it at all well.
Jimbo: I love the 11th at Arcadia, a par 5 playing down the hill toward the lake. I tried cutting a drive off the slope in the fairway, but pushed it instead. My ball ended up on the right side of the hole, while Jefe explored the fake dunes on the left. After several mishaps, I managed to get my ball on the green in 5 and made yet another bogey on a par 5, which I probably deserved for lying to Bernie about the crow.
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After 11 Holes: Jimbo +6; Jefe +7
