Inside the course: Annandale Golf Club

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The PGA TOUR has been teeing it up at Annandale Golf Club for over 15 years.

Jul. 11, 2011

The PGA TOUR will play the Viking Classic in Madison, Miss., at Annandale Golf Club. Learn more about this course:

Fast facts

Original architect	Jack Nicklaus (1980)
Course remodel	Jack Nicklaus (2006)
Course superintendent	Al Osteen
Number of PGA TOUR events as host venue	17 (including 2010)
Course ranking	Ranked 25 (out of 52) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2010
Par value	72
Yardage history	7,157 yards (1994-1999)
	7,199 (2000-present)
Grass	Bermudagrass (tees, fairways); Champion bermudagrass (greens); Kentucky bluegrass (rough)
Tournament Stimpmeter	11.5 ft
Sand bunkers	69
Water hazards	8
Course tour	Click here

Course record

Player
Keith Clearwater

Year
1996

Round
2nd

Finish
T21

Holes-in-one

There have been 10 aces recorded at the Viking Classic.

Player	Hole	Year
Hal Sutton	2	1996
Keith Clearwater	2	1996
Chip Sullivan	15	1997
Katsumasa Miyamoto	15	1999
Bob Friend	12	1999
Per-Ulrik Johansson	15	2002
Greg Kraft	12	2006
Boo Weekley	12	2007
Dicky Pride	2	2008
James Driscoll	2	2008

2010 Rankings

Most Difficult Hole

	The par-4 17th This is one of the prettiest holes at Annandale, but it forces a choice. Players have the option of bailing out left or playing to the island off the tee. In either case, there is water to contend with in approaching the green. 2010: 0 eagles, 52 birdies, 243 pars, 86 bogeys, 23 double bogeys, 8 others
Easiest hole
	The par-5 7th This is a tough driving hole. When the back right tee box is used, the tee shot must carry nearly 250 yards to clear a fairway bunker. Few players will reach the narrow, two-level green in two. 2010: 17 eagles, 195 birdies, 177 pars, 17 bogeys, 6 double bogeys, 0 others

Annandale GC			2010 rankings		Last 15 years
Hole	Par	Yards	Avg. Score	Rank	Avg. Score	Rank
1	4	385	3.966	12	3.880	14
2	3	213	3.245	3	3.139	2
3	4	406	3.883	14	3.951	10
4	4	465	4.041	8	4.095	3
5	5	522	4.818	17	4.497	18
6	4	424	4.012	9	3.966	9
7	5	556	4.512	18	4.723	16
8	3	209	3.114	4	3.072	5
9	4	450	4.252	2	4.088	4
10	4	407	3.869	15	3.915	13
11	5	579	4.862	16	4.866	15
12	3	171	3.083	5	3.053	7
13	4	414	4.002	11	3.999	8
14	4	473	4.063	6	4.191	1
15	3	176	3.012	9	2.940	11
16	4	408	4.049	7	3.933	12
17	4	409	4.26	1	4.059	6
18	5	532	4.915	13	4.694	17

Course origins

The signature holes at Annandale Golf Course are Nos. 8 and 17. The par-3, No. 8 is the toughest and largest putting surface on the course. Slightly downhill with water behind the green, this is the second of two long par threes on the front nine. Annandale members would identify the par-4, No. 17 as their "signature hole." For those who want to gamble with the tee shot, a long iron or fairway wood can be landed onto the island fairway to the right that is protected by water and rough. The island sets up a much easier second shot if properly placed. The optional fairway to the left is guarded by an out-of-bounds area to the left-side and a water hazard to the right. The small and slender 17th green fields shots from many angles.
-- Source: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Tournament course history

Course	Location	Years
Hattiesburg CC	Hattiesburg, Miss.	1968-1993
Annandale GC	Madison, Miss.	1994-present

This week's Kodak Challenge hole

HOLE: The par-5, 532-yard 18th at Annandale Golf Club
LAST YEAR: The 18th played to a stroke average of 4.692, with players recording 3 eagles, 184 birdies, 209 pars, 37 bogeys and 7 double bogeys.
DESCRIPTION: Water comes into play on every shot at this hole, but don't expect PGA TOUR players to be shy here -- especially if they need an eagle or birdie. The green is big enough to hold a 3-wood or long-iron second shot. It's a great hole for pros to finish on. (Click here for Annandale tour)