Preparations Underway for 2011 Inaugural

by Quetzel Miller III

With the 2011 AGA Tour Season nearly halfway through, all thoughts and efforts have been turned to what could amount to be the most important major of the year: the 2011 Inaugural Bay-Area Championship. Historically held in the California Bay-Area, the tournament has long been criticized for its lack of depth in the field. With a field 50% larger than any previous holding of the Inaugural, this year's tournament committee has been able to silence those critics, if only for a short time.

There have been rumors surfacing that this year's IBC may be "The Final Inaugural", though no one on the tournament committee has responded to questions concerning the matter. One can't help but wonder if the grandeur of the situation has materialized because it may be the last chance at this crown ... "Glory's last shot," as it were. Even so, players seem as focused as ever approaching the event.

Plans have been made to hold the tournament in two rounds, with the first on Saturday, June 11, and the tournament concluding on Monday the 13th. The venues for each round have yet to be determined, as many top courses throughout California have incessantly been vying for the honor to host the event since the initial announcement was made about a month ago, and will likely not be known until days before the start. Fans can expect to be given a full dosage of great golf, though, and are expected to be packed into the gallery areas, since tickets were sold out within a week of the announcement.

Players from across the country are beginning their preparations for this greatly anticipated event in various ways. Chris Archibald, the 2007 Inaugural Champion, has been preparing by completing his graduate education, and making sure he can focus solely on golf the week prior. "I have been planning for this event for many years, and to be done with my schooling in this area is great. There would be no better feeling for me than to win it in a few weeks, " Chris said in a news conference after a recent practice session. "My game is almost there. It'll be exciting to see all the competition come together."

Jim Archibald has been undergoing his typical preparations for an AGA major tournament, and has even had to play through the rough Utah spring weather to prep his game. "You never know what the weather will bring, so I consider it an advantage that I've used every piece of rain gear I own in the last few weeks," Jim remarked after yet another rain-soaked round last week. Many of the AGA experts have already picked Jim to win this year, even though he's making his first appearance at the event. The IBC is the only major not on Jim's resume, after winning this year's IDES Championship in March. He has the opportunity to join Thom as the only players to have won the "AGA Slam" since the formation of the association.

Thom Archibald, the 2009 Inaugural Champion has been preparing by practicing in the South Texas heat and humidity. He played an early 18 holes at a small course in San Antonio on Saturday, attempting to stay under the radar. After the round, he remarked that he "had a great day with the irons. The putter still has some work before I can believe in a major victory, but the rest of my game is there." Thom definitely had the long game necessary for a major victory during the round, leaving himself 9 birdie putts within 15 feet - though he only made 3 of them. His family is expected to make the trip to California with him for the event, and to be cheering him on the whole way.

Up and coming AGA players have even been preparing for the event in their own way. Jackson Archibald, though not a competitor in this year's tournament, purchased his first set of clubs this week, and has found that the living room space is not adequate for his long drives. Alec Archibald, also a striving amateur, has been testing the limits of his neighborhood courtyard with yells of "Kah-pow-ee", while offering private lessons to his younger brother, Charlie. Austin and Mady Salmon have been observing golfers "hit it long ways", nearly passing through their own backyard.

Two-time Major Champion Edward Archibald will be missed at this year's event, as he continues his mission service in Mexico. Eddie's absence will be quite noticeable, as many of the young "lady fans" of the association refused to purchase tickets to the event when it was revealed that he wouldn't return for another year.

However you look at it, this year's Inaugural has miles of potential for a great tournament, "Final Inaugural" or not. I know where I'll be that weekend.