Ricky Barnes is a U.S. Amateur champion, a U.S. Open runner-up and a PGA Tour professional, but more importantly, he is a Martis Camp Club member. His home course, where he is currently building a house, will host its first USGA championship, the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur, from July 22-27.
“It’s friendly off the tee,” said Barnes, who spoke at media day on June 19 via teleconference. “The [greenside] bunkers and fairway bunkers are pretty penalizing. You may see some guys having to chip out. There is plenty to room to drive the ball on the course.”
At 7,675 yards, Martis Camp will be the longest course in U.S. Junior Amateur history. However, the Tom Fazio design sits approximately 6,000 feet above sea level.
“The biggest adjustment that a lot of these kids will have to make is the altitude change of iron control on their distances,” said Barnes, who defeated Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1, in the 2002 U.S. Amateur championship final. “You really need to chart your yardages during a practice round. The harder and higher you hit it, the further it is going to carry. You are going to hit some clubs 10 to 16 yards further and it is going to come down with a little less spin. That’s what they need to realize.”
The preceding is an except from an article by Brian DePasquale, USGA – June 23, 2013 | Read the full article on the USGA website »
