1995 77th PGA / RIVIERA : It’s a Hill of a Way to Finish a Round : Golf: Caddies certainly earn their pay on 18th, but what happened to the tow rope?

It isn’t exactly Mt. Baldy, but on a hot, sun-drenched afternoon at Riviera Country Club, when you need a crowbar to pry a sweat-soaked shirt from your back, the 18th hole will do just fine.

On the scorecard, No. 18 measures 451 yards. But add the incline--an estimated 60-foot difference from tee box to green level--as well as the 53 railroad-tie steps up to the clubhouse, and you’ll understand why the hole is part par four, part aerobics session.

“It’s the last thing you need after 17 holes in the heat and humidity,” said Mike (Scotch Mick) Donaghy, who couldn’t wait to peel off his PGA Championship caddie vest after Saturday’s round. “But I guess it’s the same for everybody.”

Donaghy, who said he had a wee too much whiskey the night before, lugged Jesper Parnevik’s 50-pound bag Saturday afternoon. Parnevik shot a respectable one-under-par 70 for the day, which means if he shoots a 55 in the final round he’ll be right there.

Donaghy can live with Parnevik’s five-under-par status. It happens. What pains him (not counting the mild hangover) was news that Riviera once featured a motorized tow rope from the green to the clubhouse.

“They should still have it,” he said.

The tow rope, said Don Carlson, a Riviera member for the last 51 years, made its debut sometime in the 1950s or ‘60s. “You just pushed a button and grabbed hold of the rope,” Carlson said. “It was certainly a big help for us.”

Carlson isn’t sure when the tow rope was removed. As best as he could remember, it was either when everyone started using golf carts or when the engineer who designed and maintained the motor, well, died.

How steep is the walk? Put it this way: As Craig Stadler made his way up those 53 steps Saturday, bets were made by gallery members on how many times he’d have to stop and rest. Brad Faxon, his playing partner for the day, playfully nudged Stadler up the stairs with a putter. And who knows how much was wagered when Colin Montgomerie, who nearly needed Medic Alert during the 1994 U.S. Open, appeared on the 18th fairway horizon.

It was hardest on the caddies. Steve Duplantis, who carried Jim Furyk’s bag, said the walk up No. 18 is “definitely, definitely, definitely” one of the worst on the tour.

“You get over that first hill [it’s a blind tee shot] and then you realize, ‘Dammit, I’m only halfway there,’ ” he said. “And then going up those stairs, you kind of pull yourself up by the rail.”

It could be worse. The 18th at Riviera isn’t as bad as Caddie Enemy No. 1: Castle Pines Golf Club, nearly 750 yards longer than Riviera and about a mile higher, what with it being located in Castle Rock, Colo.

“I’m a rookie on the tour,” said caddie Tim Mork, who carries Woody Austin’s bag. “They tell me next week [at Castle Pines] is the worst as far singing the theme song from ‘Sound of Music.’ But if your man is playing well, you’d gladly climb Everest if that’s where the next tournament is.”

Mork’s man shot his third consecutive one-under-par 70, which put him 13 strokes behind the leader, Ernie Els. “Geritol golf,” Mork called it. “One a day.” But two groups in front of Austin and Mork was Jay Haas, who finished the afternoon with a 64, good enough to move within seven strokes of the lead.

“Jay Haas’ caddie probably jumped two steps at a time,” Mork said.

Not everyone considers the 18th a walker’s nightmare. Mark Jiminez, caddie for Paul Azinger, scoffed at the idea.

“Maybe the heart beats a littler quicker, that’s all,” he said.

“It’s not bad,” said Eric Veilleux, who lugged Jack Nicklaus’ bag. “I really haven’t seen much of a problem.”

And this from John Sullivan, caddie for Hale Irwin: “I spend almost no time thinking about hills on a golf course.”

Donaghy does. First you have the walk down from the clubhouse to the practice range. Then there’s the walk back up to the first tee. And much later, the walk up the 18th fairway and then up those stairs.

“I do [think about them],” he said, “me being small.”

And a little on the over-served side.