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James King
| Sports |

New Zealand Golf Course Takes "Party Hole" Page Out of TPC Scottsdale Playbook

James King | October 15, 2009 | 10:44am
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Golf is typically considered a game of etiquette, where observers are well-behaved, quiet, and polite. However, anyone who has been to the FBR Open in Scottsdale can tell you that it can also be a game of debauchery.

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, if not for the manicured grass, could be mistaken for the infield at a NASCAR event or the parking lot at a ZZ Top concert.

"Quiet Please" signs and stuffy old men smoking cigars are replaced by a full bar and screaming drunken 20-somethings spilling Miller Lite all over themselves.

The party atmosphere has drawn criticism from some of the PGA's top golfers, including golf messiah Tiger Woods, but some folks down under seem to like the idea.

Organizers of the New Zealand Open golf tournament at the Hills in Queenstown, New Zealand, say they have plans to recreate the TPC Scottsdale phenomenon and add a "party hole" for their tournament in January.

The Australian Open tried something similar for their tournament last year but will not be doing it again this year after getting criticized by Aussie golfer Robert Allenby after he was heckled by someone in the crowd.

The kiwis, on the other hand, don't seem to care about party poopers like Allenby and say plans for the party hole are "full steam ahead."

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