The site of next year's Kroger Senior Classic — the Tournament Players Club at River's Bend — drew generally rave reviews from the seniors who played there Tuesday, but there was a concern.

        The back nine is spread out and wooded and not gallery-friendly, some players said. Spectators may not want to venture out.

        Bill Hughes, the general manager of River's Bend, said he'd heard some of the same comments. It is one of the reasons the TPC hosted a pro-am in connection with the Kroger event that is being played this week down the road at The Golf Center at Kings Island.

        “We want to hear what people think,” he said. “It will help us be better prepared (to host the Kroger) in 2002.”

COURSE PROFILE

        One possibility would be to flip-flop the nines, Hughes said, so that what are now the seventh, eighth and ninth holes — wide-open holes with excellent vistas — would become Nos.16, 17 and 18.

        But it also may be that the use of grandstands, skyboxes and spectator chalets, all of which are commonly used at the bigger tournaments, will alleviate the concern. There is also the reality that the multitudes rarely follow golf ers through all 18 holes. The beauty of River's Bend is that, from some vantage points, you can see several holes at a time.

        There wasn't a pro who played the TPC who didn't feel it was in a different class than the Grizzly Course at Kings Island, which wasn't designed to be a tournament course.

        The players praised the rolling terrain, shot values, scenery and conditions.

        “There's nothing wrong with (Kings Island), but (River's Bend) is the "latest, greatest, updated' place to stage the event and do the hospitality,” senior pro John Schroeder said.

        There will be pro-ams at 8 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. today and Thursday at Kings Island. The tournament begins Friday.

Kroger Senior Classic events
Cincinnati.com golf page

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