It's 18-hole, par-72, 7,442-yard layout, designed by George W Cobb, and opened in 1961, is a major reason why the world's best players have been drawn to it, and this year is no exception with 19 of the top 25 men on the World Ranking list entered.

Quail Hollow has been an oustanding venue since it first began hosting the Wachovia Championship in 2003, it invariably being impressive in its presentation while remaining relatively impervious to low scoring.

Tiger Woods played here last year, but his recent operation on his left knee - the third - will keep him away this year

If the weather cooperates and little rain falls - the weekend could bring thundershowers - Quail Hollow could be even more inhospitable to potential par busters.

The PGA Tour reports that officials are working on plans to present a faster track. The rough is being trimmed back and the greens made faster and firmer using their sub-air system.

This means, of course, that players who have performed decently at the Shell Houston Open or the Masters, where the setups were similar, might be the front-runners for the title this week.

Yes, firm and fast, Quail Hollow is poised to cater to shot makers who can shape shots off the tee and around its tree-line doglegs and to putters with feel for Greens expected to run at 11.5 to 12 on the stimpmeter.

And that's on the flat patches, something that are few a far between at Quail Hollow.

Wind might also be more of a hindrance than it has been in the past at some of the holes where peripheral vegetation has been removed "to give the course more air".

The fact that the course has four par fives that are all reachable in two and drivable par fours at the eighth and 14th holes could help buoy up the spirits, though.

COURSE DETAILS:

Private Equity golf course
Designed by George W Cobb
Opened 1961
72 par
7,442 yards off the hampionship tees
75 rating
139 slope

TOUR OF THE COURSE:
To tour the course, click here

CARD OF THE COURSE
(See under Hole No., Par, Length in yards)

1 4 411
2 3 178
3 4 452
4 4 458
5 5 570
6 3 250
7 5 532
8 4 343
9 4 491
10 5 591
11 4 421
12 4 456
13 3 203
14 4 345
15 5 566
16 4 480
17 3 217
18 4 478

OTHER FACILITIES:

- 30-tee practice range putting and chipping greens

- Pro-shop

- Usual clubhouse facilities including bar and change rooms

GREEN FEES:
$132 green fees* on weekends
$107 green fees* on weekdays
* includes golf cart where available

KEY STAFF
General Manager: Monte Smith
Superintendent: Jeff Kent

CONTACT THE CLUB
Address: 700 Glen Eagles Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210-4937 USA
Phone/Fax(704) 552-1727/(704) 554-5874