Generally speaking, most of the classic courses try to endear themselves to the players with a modest starting hole, for example: number one at Riviera or St. Andrews. Concord Hills, without the lore of those courses offers its own amicable beginning to the participants. The challenge, aside from nerves and lack of sleep, presents itself in the form of what meteorologists affectionately call "pea soup."

The first at Concord Hills is a medium-short par 4 which gently grades itself from left to right. Safety (and a par) is on the mind of all as they tee it up with a long iron or 3 wood (sorry seniors). Position is key, just ask some of the participants who have made the mistake of a pull hook into the maturing pines on the left, or a "safety block" toward the in-bounds driving range to the right -- guaranteed 5 or more. A large, rangy tree is the lone obstacle for those driving in the fairway and only comes into play if the tee shot is struck less than solid. From the optimum position the shot is no more than a short iron to a flat green, which if the player is too aggressive, may fall prey to Briton Burn, that sneaky creek that catches far more balls than anyone would suspect.

Get out of here with a four and your confidence is on the rise, anything more and the player must start relying on his partner from the get go.