Roundtable: From Caddyshack's Birthday to the Greenbrier Classic

Less than a week after one of the most classic golf movies, "Caddyshack" turned 30, the Greenbrier Classic tees off at The Old White Course in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. And though the tournament does not have a last year, it still has plenty of history.

The first-year event was added to the schedule after the Buick Open was lost, so it does not have a defending champion -- just a couple of Hall of Famers.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Sam Snead, the winningest player in PGA Tour history (pictured right), was the resort's pro for 29 years and served as Golf Professional Emeritus from 1993 until his death in 2002. Tom Watson, also a World Golf Hall of Fame member, became The Greenbrier's second Golf Professional Emeritus in 2005.

The Greenbrier is a resort located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. As a National Historic Landmark, The Greenbrier's original of three courses, Old White, will measure 7,031 yards and play to par 70 this week. Originally designed by Charles Blair MacDonald in 1914, the course has hosted some of the game's greatest players, including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Watson and Snead.

But there's more history on the week. "Caddyshack" turned 30 on Sunday and it's a little hard to imagine what the state of golf would be like without Carl Spackler and Al's shenanigans.

'SHACK ATTACK

"Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac-- ... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!"

Who over the last 30 years has not repeated the words of Carl Spackler in some form or fashion?

"Caddyshack" gave golf personality and common ground that everybody can share.

The only bad thing about "Caddyshack" was that it led to "Caddyshack II."
-- Mick Elliott

Who else better to learn the proper club choice than "Caddyshack's" Carl Spackler? At the final hole of Augusta, facing a 350-yard shot, it's best to pull out the 5 iron. Or how about learning the beauty of sharing a round of golf with his holiness, the Dalai Lama himself?

So Spackler may be one of the most quotable characters, but the movie reached deeper than that. It brought golf to a new stage and put the game squarely in front of a whole new audience. Perhaps there are more "Cinderella stories" out there now as a result of this masterpiece.

And if nothing else, we know that Tiger Woods is a fan of the flick, saying he saw it "close to 100 times" and even donning his Spackler wardrobe for a spoof American Express commercial.
-- Chris Sesno

Golf -- and the world itself -- would be vastly different without perhaps the most quoted movie of all time. There'd be no "It's in the hole,'' "Be the ball" and no "Cinderella stories." The Dalai Lama would be just another religious leader and the gopher would be just another unknown, misunderstood rodent, sandwiched somewhere between the beaver and the porcupine.

How big is "Caddyshack" 30 years later? On the grounds of the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., you can find two golf courses, a hotel, a museum, an immense pro shop ... and a Caddyshack restaurant.
-- Matt Romanoski

QUICK FIX

With the Greenbrier's addition to the schedule, it's Old White Course becomes the oldest track on the PGA Tour. Riviera Country Club, host of the Northern Trust Open, opened in 1926, and held the distinction but is now 12 years back.

The course's timeless challenge is accuracy and distance control with irons to hit greens.

Only two players from the world's top 25 -- Jim Furyk (5) and Matt Kuchar (24) -- are on hand, opening the door for a number of players looking to make their season.
-- Elliott

A little bit of rain during the practice rounds will soften up the greens at the Greenbrier Resort, so that should tip the favors to those with a solid approach game. The Greenbrier Classic features seven players among the top 25 FedExCup standings, but don't be surprised if someone outside of that list is hanging around in contention come Sunday afternoon.

And the Old White Course features just two par 5s, both on the back nine. The 568-yard 12th and the 570-yard 17th holes should offer inviting chances to shave a stroke or two off the round, but mind the distance and undulating greens. A carefully controlled spin on the approach is the key to birdies on these two.
-- Sesno

The PGA makes its first-ever visit to the state of West Virginia so, for the second straight week, the course will be virgin territory to most of the players. There isn't much star quality in the field, with Jim Furyk being the lone player in the Top 20 teeing of this week.
-- Romanoski

STARS AND STINKERS

Players who can control their ball and their games are the smart pick. That suggests Jim Furyk, the highest ranked player in the field, is a solid pick. Likewise for Ben Crane, Brendon de Jonge and Justin Leonard.



Also, it might be wise to keep an eye on former Masters champ Trevor Immelman, who may finally have a nagging wrist injury behind him.

Meanwhile, look fast if you want to watch John Daly. This is not his kind of golf course. Also, hard to imagine last week's Carl Pettersson being able to come back after the high of a weekend 60-67.
-- Elliott

Though Furyk has been accurate off the tee box this year, he's struggled on the approach, hitting just over 65 percent of greens. He's the highest ranked player in the field, but I just don't see it coming together for him this weekend.

Instead, keep an eye on sleeper pick Trevor Immelman. He was in the hunt last week at the Canadian Open, and fired a final-round 68 for a T23 finish at St. Andrews. He may not be ready for his season's first win, but the former Masters' champion is certainly knocking on the door nonetheless.
-- Sesno

Alright, it's a reach because he was born in Zimbabwe, but Brendon De Jonge has somewhat of a homefield advantage this week because he attended Virginia Tech. He's also finished in the top 15 in four of his last six starts, so keep him in mind. On the flip side, no one has been able to put back-to-back wins together in 2010, so cross Carl Pettersson off your list.
-- Romanoski

WHO'S HOISTIN'?

Nick Watney has all the qualifications to tame the Greenbrier. Arrives fresh off T7s at the AT&T National and British Open. He ranks third in greens in regulation, eighth in ball-striking, 12th in birdie average and eighth in birdies or better on par 4s.
-- Elliott

At a course that has not been played in PGA Tour competition, you have to give the edge to the veterans with good control over their game. Kenny Perry took a week off after missing the cut at the British Open, so watch out for the rested American coming down the stretch on Sunday.
-- Sesno

It would be easy to get behind Furyk this week, but if this season has proven anything it's that automatic choices are anything but. So ... we'll go with Matt Kuchar, who has four top 10 finishes in his last five starts, including a T4 last week.
-- Romanoski