Week 31 Approach Shots: Turning Stone Championship

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News, notes and predictions as we get set for the first round of this week's Turning Stone Resort Championship.

TV (all times ET)

TV: GOLF CHANNEL (Thu.-Fri., 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sat., 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.-9 p.m.)

Key links

• Expert picks | Rankings • Tee times | Field | Course

Weather

Scattered thunderstorms, temperatures in mid-80s. Winds 8-12 mph from the southwest. Updated weather info

CHANGE OF SEASONS: For the first time, the Turning Stone Resort Championship joins the PGA TOUR Regular Season as part of the race for the FedExCup title. In the first three years of the FedExCup, the Turning Stone Resort Championship was part of the PGA TOUR Fall Series.

GOING GREEN: Atunyote Golf Club is a certified Audubon cooperative sanctuary course. While striving to reach a goal of sustainability, the course and the Turning Stone Resort Championship proudly live 'on the green side'. The Championship's respective host, the Oneida Indian Nation and Turning Stone have a commitment to preserve and protect the environment.

Initiatives include printing materials on 100 percent post-consumer recycled fiber; an extensive recycling program during the event; utilizing organic cottons and fabrics from bamboo for uniforms and apparel sales when possible; concession stands that use biodegradable containers and utensils made from bamboo; reserved parking for fuel efficient vehicles; and providing B15 Biodiesel fuel for event generators.

PLAYOFF MARATHON: Last year, Matt Kuchar defeated Vaughn Taylor with a par on the sixth extra hole (No. 13). The last six-hole playoff on the PGA TOUR was at the 1986 Kemper Open when Greg Norman defeated Larry Mize.

FEDEXCUP UPDATE: This winner of this week's Turning Stone Resort Championship will receive 250 FedExCup points. Last year, it took 354 points to make the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, so a win in upstate New York goes a long way in earning a spot at The Barclays, the first event in the Playoffs. Through 29 events, six different players have led the FedExCup standings.

Predictions: Columnists vs. Interns

PGATOUR.COM's interns are trying to outpredict our expert columnists this summer. We'll keep tabs and see how they rank at the end of the internships. Here are the picks for the Turning Stone Resort Championship. Columnists Pick Comment Stan AWTREY BRYCE MOLDER: Has six top-10s and put himself in contention several times this season. This time he's able to finish the deal. Craig DOLCH CHARLES HOWELL III: If he gets hots with the putter, he could win by a bunch. That's how well he's hitting the ball. Melanie HAUSER PAUL STANKOWSKI: Game's been coming together one step at a time. Coming off a closing-round 64 last week. Enough said. Interns Pick Comment Chris DUNHAM VAUGHN TAYLOR: Has not played since a so-so outing in Reno. He's been a top-20 finisher at Turning Stone the past three years, including a playoff loss to Matt Kuchar last season. Todd HOSKINS CHARLES HOWELL III: Because no one can be that overrated. Ryan PIERCE RICHARD S. JOHNSON: He won the Masters, albeit in Scandinavia. And his looper at the time was a Swedish radio D.J. Talk about greatest hits.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: Dolch's pick of Overton (second place at The Greenbrier) pushed the columnists' lead to more than 500 points.
Columnists: 1642.44 FedExCup points (Craig Dolch, 655.19; Melanie Hauser, 373.00; Stan Awtrey, 339.25; John Maginnes, 275.00).
Interns: 1069.93 FedExCup points (Chris Dunham, 569.58; Ryan Pierce, 356.85; Todd Hoskins, 143.50)

Did you know?

In 2008, Atunyote Golf Club was one of the toughest courses on the PGA TOUR with a 72.968 stroke average. Last year, the stroke average dipped to 70.917, courtesy of heavy rains and four rounds being played with preferred lies.

What the winner gets

A victory this week at the Turning Stone Resort Championship will earn the following benefits: • Fully Exempt for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011 and 2012 • 250 FedExCup points. It took 354 points to qualify for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup in 2009 and 494 to reach the Deutsche Bank Championship. • A spot in the following 2010 events in order of play:    - 2010 PGA Championship • A spot in the following 2011 events in order of play:    - 2011 SBS Championship    - 2011 Bob Hope Classic    - 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational    - 2011 Verizon Heritage    - 2011 THE PLAYERS Championship    - 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial    - 2011 The Memorial Tournament    - 2011 AT&T National • If second PGA TOUR win since after the 2010 U.S. Open, entry into the 2011 U.S. Open. • If a U.S. player, 720,000 points towards making the 2011 Presidents Cup team. • If a U.S. player, 360 points towards making the 2010 Ryder Cup team.