Stockton humbled by The Ocean Course

KIAWAH ISLAND — If Dave Stockton learned anything during Thursday's opening round of the Senior PGA Championship, that it is a lot easier to be a spectator than a competitor on The Ocean Course.

Serving as captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1991, Stockton had seen the course chew up more than its share of world class golfers.

After shooting a 9-over-par 81 on Thursday, it was Stockton who became the latest victim of the high winds at The Ocean Course.

"My inclination coming into the tournament was correct," Stockton said. "It's a lot easier being the captain than it is being a player out here. I was kind of smiling on Monday and Tuesday realizing the practice rounds weren't doing anyone any good because the wind didn't come from the right direction. It just played really difficult today.

"I will say that they set this thing up pretty fair. The pin position, the holes, I mean they moved the tees up a mile on some of the holes that were affected by the wind. There's not one hole out there where I go, 'why in the heck did they do that.'"

Thursday's opening round aside, The Ocean Course is still special to Stockton. Of course, winning the Ryder Cup will do that for a captain.

"I have tons of good memories from 1991," Stockton said. "I had an extremely good team that year. It was a total team effort. From start to finish, it pretty much went the way I expected it with the exception of Steve Pate getting hurt in that limousine wreck. That changed a lot of my pairings, which was not fun.

"I think the final dinner was special as well. We had two buses, one for each team, but we were only two guys shy of filling up the first one. (Ian) Woosnam picks up Corey Pavin and says, "hell, we're not that big. We can fit in one seat together.' I will always remember that.' "

Stockton said the highlight of this week will probably be the Medal of Honor dinner he attended on the USS Yorktown on Wednesday.

"It was just a thrill to be on the Yorktown. And to be around all these gentlemen is an unbelievable experience," Stockton said. "They've done just a wonderful job with the new museum. They've got a great interactive exhibit for all the recipients."

Reach Andrew Miller at 937-5599 or apmiller@postandcourier.com.