Crowne Plaza Invitational Tips

Previews and pre-event analysis from Golf Betting System's PGA Tour and European Tour coverage

Betting Preview - 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational

To read Steve Bamford's Crowne Plaza Invitational Tips for 2014 click here. Follow Steve on twitter: @bamfordgolf

A visit to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, or 'Hogan's Alley' as it's affectionately known, is always a domestic highlight of the PGA Tour season. The Crowne Plaza Invitational always attracts a quality field and this tight Par 70 is one of America's most classical golf courses. Old courses tend to reward the best players and the winners list here includes Ryder Cup players namely Kenny Perry, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, David Toms, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley. There is absolutely no doubt that Par 70 specialists thrive at Colonial. Read Steve Bamford's Crowne Plaza Invitational Tips for 2014 click here

Tournament Facts & Scheduling

The Crowne Plaza Invitational often clashes with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, so the field rarely contains top line European Tour stars. So it's hardly surprising that high quality American's dominate the history books here at Colonial. Many of the short hitters prefer Colonial to TPC Four Seasons, where power counts, and plenty of players 'double up' Colonial and Muirfield Village in consecutive weeks, in their schedules pre US Open. It's hardly surprising as both are classical masterpieces which feature pure bentgrass green complexes. Perfect circumstances for the elite players on the PGA Tour to refine their skills for the second Major Championship.

Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Course Details

Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas. Designer: Bredemus and Maxwell 1936 Course Type: Classical Par: 70 Length: 7,204 yards Water Hazards: 3 Bunkers: 84 Fairways: Bermudagrass Rough: Bermudagrass 2.25" Greens: 4,400 sq.ft average featuring Bentgrass Stimpmeter: 11.5ft Scoring Avg 2012: 71.13 Ranked 13 of 49 courses for difficulty on the 2012 PGA Tour 2013: 69.80 Ranked 24 of 43 courses in 2013 for difficulty.

Previous Champions 2013: Bo Weekley; 2012: Zach Johnson; 2011: David Toms; 2010: Zach Johnson 2009: Steve Stricker; 2008: Phil Mickelson; 2007: Rory Sabbatini.

Winners Scores - Post 2009 2013: -14/266; 2012: -12/268; 2011: -15/265; 2010: -21/259; 2009: -17/263. Winners Prices 2013: Weekley - 100/1 2012: Johnson - 16/1 2011: Toms - 33/1 2010: Johnson - 50/1 2009: Stricker- 28/1

Pre-Tournament Key Summary

Experienced, Par 70 positive players win out at Colonial Country Club. 'Hogan's Alley' is an old style golf course which does not give up it's secrets easily, so it's no real surprise that recent winners have all had vast experience of the course, prior to triumphing. It's also one of those venues, where driving accuracy is still important. Players can score well at Colonial, but even in these days of modern technology, that's only possible via course management, rather than overpowering the course.

A list of US Ryder Cup stalwarts adorns the Champions Roll of Honour in the Colonial Club House; that's the mark of classical golf course. Look for experienced players with decent seasonal form, no matter their price to go well at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Below we track the results of Golf Betting System PGA Tour tipster Steve Bamford who has been producing weekly tips since 2009. You can also follow him on Twitter @bamfordgolf.

2013

• Kevin Streelman 1.5pt EW 28/1 RESULT: MC
• Hunter Mahan 1pt EW 45/1 RESULT: T26
• Tim Clark 1pt EW 50/1 RESULT: T7
• Kyle Stanley 1pt EW 55/1 RESULT: MC
• Ryan Moore 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: MC
• Luke Guthrie 1pt Top 10 10/1 RESULT: 65th

2012

• Zach Johnson 2pts EW 16/1 RESULT: Winner
• Bill Haas 1.25pt EW 35/1 RESULT: T55
• Ben Crane 1.25pt EW 45/1 RESULT: T11
• Geoff Ogilvy 1.25pt EW 45/1 RESULT: T20
• Tim Clark 0.5pt EW 135/1 RESULT T20