PGA TOUR Golf — Page 7

Tis the Season at TPC Sawgrass for the Web.com Tour Championship!

September 30, 2015 By admin

Tis the season at TPC Sawgrass for the Web.com Tour Championship!

As a golf aficiondo, I am very fortunate to live in Northeast Florida. Not only is TPC Sawgrass home to the PGA TOUR organization, it is also home to THE PLAYERS Championship in the Spring and the Web.com Tour Championship in the Fall. In between there is the late Summertime Junior PLAYERS Championship and of course in the Winter this is a Mecca for snowbird golfers from the north. But right now, this week at tis the season at TPC Sawgrass for the Web.com Tour Championship!

This is the Final of the Web.com Tour Finals. Hope is still alive for 25 more golfers to earn their 2015-2016 PGA TOUR cards. For World No. 1 and No. 1 on the Fed Ex Cup Points List, Jordan Spieth down to No. 125 Jeff Overton, a tour card for next year is a done deal. Breathe, relax and take a holiday until the season opener in two weeks at the Frys.com Open at Silverado CC in Napa, California.

Life size mural of Carlos Ortiz, 2014 Web.com Player of the Year, hangs in the Media Center.

For the 2015 Web.com Tour Season Winner, No. 1 on the Money List after the 21 regular season events, Patton Kizzire down to No. 25 Patrick Rodgers, their main mission is done having earned their golden 2015-2016 PGA TOUR card, same as the Top 125. Well not exactly, the 4-week Finals series is a chance to improve their ranking going into the PGA TOUR season, the best they can do is to be right there immediately following the Top 125. For full field 164-player events it might not matter but for smaller fields and invitational events with limited daylight hours it can matter a great deal. Breathe, relax and spin the wheel one more time with only upward possibilities.

In the Merry Mixup of Nos. 126 to 200 from the PGA TOUR and Nos. 26 to 75 from the Web.com Tour there are 25 additional tour cards at stake this week on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass. After the first three Finals events, Chex Reavie is at the top of the Finals Money List and Jhonattan Vegas is at the bottom of the additional Top 25.

Only $253.57 separates lucky now Johnny Vegas from Billy Hurley III, $641.42 from Scott Langley and $1,871.42 from Andrew Yun. The total purse this week is $1,000.000 with $180,000 to the winner, $27,000 for solo 10th place, and the last person in the money potentially winning $2,000. So if Vegas’ luck runs out and Langley makes the cut, holding all other things constant (which never happens even in engineering school with PV-nRT), Langley gets the tour card, Vegas does not.

So it will be an exciting week on the golf course, the Finals’ Final of the Qualification to earn a tour card if you will, but not the old Q-school, to see who comes through at the end. Off the course it will be another amazing week, as the pictures will attest to, for tis the season at TPC Sawgrass for the Web.com Tour Championship and the exciting conclusion of the Finals!

Wouldn’t you love to walk into the President’s Cup Library at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse and register with Kelli (L) and Kathy (R) as a player for the Web.com Tour Championship?

With Darling Darlene in her diner feeding the volunteers in 29 THE PLAYERS Championship, 7 PGA TOUR Championships and now 5 Web.com Tour Championships.

Players this week tend to go in and out of the front door of the Clubhouse to get to Dye’s Valley but have hopes of walking out this tunnel next May.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2015 DSGO: Maggert the Magnificent Wins the 2015 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

August 30, 2015 By admin

Jeff Maggert, the 2015 DSGO Champion with his trophy, in the Media Center after a bogey-free 66 seized his 4th win of the year!

Jeff Maggert, the Champions Tour star of 2015 , won for the fourth time, including two majors, closing with a spectacular bogey-free 6-under 66 at the municipal owned En Joie Golf Course in Endicott, New York. Under firm and fast conditions all week long the winning score of 14-under par was lower than all but one of the first nine Dick’s Sporting Goods Opens (DSGO).

Maggert did the hard work easy birding six of the first ten holes then finishing with eight straight pars as the next best score out of the final two threesomes was a 70 by playing partner Ian Woosnam. Goydos was Maggert’s closest pursuer on the back nine but his last birdie came at the par-5 12th and his tee shot on the difficult par-4 15th found the water right. After a good pitch on the short par-4 16th Goydos missed the short birdie putt and was unable to drain two makeable birdie putts on the way to the clubhouse and a solo second place finish.

The video scoreboard congratulating Jeff Maggert during the Awards Ceremony on the 18th green.

Corey Pavin put on a gallant charge all day recording his fifth birdie with no bogeys with a masterful chip in at the par-3 17th to get within two strokes tied with Goydos. The UCLA bruin was drawing his tee shots for distance and hitting a power fade for control off the tee all day long but his tee shot on the 18th found water left and he finished with a disappointing double bogey to fall to a T3 finish With Ian Woosnam, David Frost (71), Peter Senior (65) and Jerry Smith (67).

Second round leader Rod Spittle shot a 74 to finish T12 while his playing partners in the final pairing John Huston (72) and Scott McCarron (75) failed to make a charge. Spittle had four bogyes and only one birdie. The 2011 DSGO Champion Huston’s demise was a 5-iron right on the par-3 7th that found water and resulted in a triple bogey while McCarron started with a bogey on No. 1 and suffered a triple bogey on the 15th hole. This year’s low tournament round was a 64 versus last year’s historic 59 on Saturday by Kevin Sutherland.

The Stack Family of Dick’s Sporting Goods being honored by Broome County Executive Debra Preston.

Maggert the Magnificent joins the tradition of champions in both the Champions Tour’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and the PGA TOUR’s B.C. Open. The first as professional golf came to Broome County in 1971 was Harmon. It was his first and only win as he went on to become the famous golf instructor, author and television broadcaster. World Golf Hall of Famers Tom Kite, Fred Couples, and Bernard Langer have won at En Joie.

Local professional golfer Richie Karl won here in 1974. I remember that one at age 14 running out to see him sink a 35-foot birdie putt on the 15th green, the first hole in a playoff with Bruce Crampton. Joey Sindelar won in 1985 and while Mike Hulbert won in 1989.

From Nancy Lopez’s clinic earlier in the week, to the Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast on Thursday, to the Lady Antebellum concert on Friday night it was another memorable Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in the Valley of Opportunity, Hart & Faith.

Large crowds turned out all week at En Joie.

There was outstanding competitive professional golf once again at En Joie, the golf course originally built by built by George F. Johnson, the benevolent owner of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. Mr. Johnson loved the game of golf and couldn’t see any reason that his employees shouldn’t love it as well. Well the relatives of those workers do love the game and come out to support one of the best events on the Champions Tour.

Jeff Maggert closed his champion interview, when asked what was the best thing about returning to the Triple Cities area, with “it’s nice to see things haven’t changed.” With plans to retire in my hometown of Binghamton, New York I agree wholeheartedly with Maggert the Mangificent, the 2015 DSGO Champion.

2015 DSGO: Admittedly Addicted to Spiedies at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

August 29, 2015 By admin

My spiedie salad at Ely Park triggered my week long addiction to spiedies at the DSGO.

My earliest childhood habit that I can recall is going on family picnics out to Chenango Valley State Park. It was a daylong affair of playing games, swimming and satisfying the hunger created by exercise by eating spiedies. I can remember the routine of hunting for wood, starting the fire, adding the charcoal and lovingly cooking the spiedies in the special spiedie sauce. I readily admit that I became addicted to spiedies at a relatively young age.

En Joie-ing a spiedie on the run at the 14th in the DSGO!

Spiedies give me tremendous energy and this week is just another example of their spirited effect on me. My first day here was Monday and I started off with a visit to Ely Park Municipal Golf Course. Not to golf but to have a spiedie salad for lunch up in the bar restaurant now referred to as cafe bar. The spiedie salad was delicious as you can see in the picture.

Maybe I should do a food column? Thanks to Lupo’s on the 14th tee here at En Joie I am now eating spiedies three times a day—late breakfast compliments of the

Media Center, late lunch at the 14th compliments of Lupo’s and this evening a spiedie BBQ celebrating a dog’s birthday.

The Lupo’s team of Cole, Patti & Pat on the 14th. Spiedies Extraordinaire!

So is my life when home and addicted to spiedies. Throw in the tasty Filet Mignon sandwich at Lampy’s that always hits the spot and Mario’s Pizza onsite for the Wednesday (sausage sandwiches) and Thursday (meatball subs) Pro-Ams and here you have a food column for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Oh I almost forgot the gnocchi and meatballs on Wednesday at the Oaks Inn. So far I have managed to stay clear of the reportedly exceptionally tasty french fries but it is still only Saturday.

No this is a golf tournament, a very important one as the Champions Tour winds down to the final Charles Schwab Cup stretch. Only five more events after the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open (DSGO) this week to see if close pursuers Jeff Maggert and Bernard Langer or someone else can overtake Charles Schwab Cup Points leader Colin Montgomerie.

Rod Spittle’s advantage is one stroke and 25 years in Corporate America resting his body as he looks for his second Champiosn Tour victory on Sunday.

In Round 1 on Friday Gene Sauers opened up with matching 6-under 66s. They were trumped by the consistent 68-66 play of Rod Spittle in Round 2 on Saturday which earned him a one-stroke lead going into Sunday’s final round. A sensational holed-out pitch on the 17th for eagle provided Spittle with the lift to keep ahead of the young Scott McCarron (71-64) and long hitting John Huston (67-68). With a historic 59 recorded here last year by Kevin Sutherland, another 64 on Saturday by Stephen Ames (72-64, two strokes back) and a firm and fast golf course, the final round promises to be a spectacular Sunday shootout. There are 20 golfers within five strokes of Spittle with a chance to go low and win the ninth consecutive DSGO.

While high on spiedies this has been a whirlwind week in the Valley of Opportunity, Hart & Faith—a.k.a. as the Triple Cities of Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott.

Up at Ely Park with Ray Linsky checking out the original drawings of the golf course from 1925.

Champion amateur golfer Ray Linsky, who has won the most club championship titles of anyone up at Ely Park, surprised me with the original 9-hole course layouts from 1925 and 1933. In 1907, S. Mills Ely tendered to the City of Binghamton a 140 acre tract of land on Mount Prospect for park purposes. I had always assumed the golf course idea was tied to the Civilian Conservation Corps initiative after the Great Depression of 1929 which tied to the documented 1933 opening date of the golf course. With Ray’s discovery, the idea of golf in Binghamton has as much to do with the growth of the game in the Roaring Twenties as it does as a project to create jobs.

Ely Park is a special place to golf and enjoy life!

If you ever get a chance, go play Ely Park, perched high above the Chenango and Susquehanna River valleys on Mount Prospect. The view includes downtown Binghamton and the confluence of the two rivers that led to the development and prosperity of the area way back in 1802. Close to Heaven, Golfing Atop Mount Prospect is quite the golfing and spiritual experience. Jim Maggiore, a retired IBMer, and Mike McCann, a 20-year veteran of the Johnson City Fire Department, just came out with Golf in Broome County, a great book about professional golf at the B.C. Open and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

I might be the ‘i’ in Dick’s but spiedies has two ‘i’s and me!

Time to head out to the 14th far another spieidie fixing so here is the rest of the story in pictures.

For the record, per Wikipedia, a spiedie consists of cubes of chicken, pork, lamb, veal, venison or beef. The meat cubes are marinated overnight or longer in a special marinade, then grilled on spits over a charcoal pit. The traditional method involves serving freshly prepared cubes of lamb, chicken, or beef on soft Italian bread, and occasionally drizzled with fresh marinade.

I am drooling now. Gotta go.

I am admittedly addicted to spiedies during the week of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

With Coach Jorie Ftorek and the talented and fun Binghamton High School golf team up at Ely Park.

With authors Jim Maggiore (L) and Mike McCann (R) at their Barnes & Noble book signing on Tuesday night.

With Fred Funk Mike Goodes & Loren Roberts (R to L) at the Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast on Monday.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2015 DSGO & the Triple Cities; Still the Valley of Opportunity, Hart & Faith

August 27, 2015 By admin

Cartoonist Mason Mastroianni created this artwork for this year’s breakfast. One lucky raffle winner took it home after breakfast.

The Champions Tour event—the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open (DSGO) is in the Triple Cities of Binghamton, Johnson City & Endicott, New York this week. So am I, now 55, I am lucky to have three hometowns and be back where I belong and where I lived the first 17 years of my life. If you have a few minutes, let me tell you why this, the Valley of the Susquehanna River (and the Chenango River in Binghamton), is still the Valley of Opportunity, Hart and Faith.

On this, the fourth day of being back home, I set the alarm for 6:30 a.m. Up, I showered, got dressed and headed over to The Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast, hosted by the Hart Family at the Kalurah Shrine on Dickson Street in Endicott, not far from the En-Joie Golf Course, host to the DSGO since 2007. I have always wanted to attend this breakfast and I guess today was the day for me to do so.

Isn’t it funny how things in life, at times, seemingly so disconnected in time, suddenly become focused, clear and connected again? It was a good breakfast but I couldn’t tell you what I ate. I can tell you why it was good, long after the experience, because as you know I am a note-taker, a journeying journaler for some 15 years now. A producer at the Golf Channel once called me a “golf voyager and documentarian,” and I like to quickly add that I only like to document what I voyage.

See, it’s all about me and it is all about you and once we figure that out individually then we can celebrate it collectively. Have I lost you yet?

With LaVon and Skip, a lovely Christian Couple in life!

I sat down at a table and met a couple to cherish with the names of LaVon and Skip Hausamann. His full name is Erwin Werner Hausamann Jr., that’s why they call him Skip. She was from Texas and he from Massachusetts so of course I was intrigued as to how they met and how they came to live in the Triple Cities on the Southern Tier of New York, about a three hours drive time upstate from New York City.

He was a drill sergeant in the Air Force stationed at the Lackland Air Force Base outside San Antonio, Texas. She grew up a Southern Baptist (though now a Methodist) in a small town of Rogers, Texas. Her family and her church reached out to serviceman by inviting them over for Sunday dinner. Her family invited him and though forbade somehow they connected and made a go of it. Next year they,a long with their three children and eight grandchildren, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

It was a packed house at the Kalurah Shrine for the 9th Annual Hartfest.

My thoughts of LaVon and Skip were interrupted by “It’s a joy to be with you,” the words of Emrys Tyler, the Teaching Elder of the Ninevah Presbyterian Church giving the Invocation, one of the most inspiring invocations I ever heard.

Of course, I knew who Johnny Hart was. Growing up I religiously read his B.C. comic strip in the newspaper each day. Remember newspapers? Yeah, and the Sunday comic section? I remember his cartoon characters on site at the B.C. Open, the old regular PGA TOUR event held at En Joie Golf Course from 1971 through 2006, though the final event was held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona due to a flooded golf course. I wanted to know more about the person, his creativity and his faith.

In his Invocation, Elder Tyler delivered on all three of my wants as he started his invocation with a Johnny Hart story. Evidently Johnny baked his favorite lemon meringue pie for a friend’s party and while delivering it he dropped it on the guy’s driveway. He grabbed a fork, knelt down and started eating the now upside down pie from the bottom side. I could feel his sense of patient presence and humor. I could visualize him making the best of a sad situation. Why wouldn’t he?

Elder Tyler then took me to where I needed to be noting that sometimes our reality in life is flipped upside down—from slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from darkness to light and from where we are today to eternity. Make it so in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With Mason Mastroianni. I laughed when he used the word awkward. His eyes seem to think I am a bit awkward too. I am!

After tuning out for a moment or two to once again assess my upside-down life, I came back to the present moment just as Johnny Hart’s grandson, Mason Matroianni, who has been doing the comic strip now for nine years after the death of the self-described title B.C. character in life, utter that they “did not skip a beat” in the transition. I looked over and smiled at Skip and his lovely wife wondering if I had somehow skipped a beat or two in my life?

CLICK HERE for a Video Interview with Mason Mastroianni, Cartoonist, B.C. Comic Strip

Listening to Mason I could see how the comic strip kept beating along even with the sudden and unexpected death of its creator. Mason’s message was humble and direct. His grandfather was the father figure in his life and taught him everything he knew about life. Like his grandfather he is at home here in the Triple Cities and lets life come to him and then turns it around, maybe turns it right side up, sketching it back to us in prehistoric terms we can all understand. He thanked us all for honoring the memory of his grandfather.

Right then I was actively targeting him for a post-breakfast interview. Somehow, Hart’s heart and humor, compassion and creativity, was passed along and enhanced. There was inspiration there. I am an inspiration seeker.

Fred Funk at the podium. Loren Roberts on the left with the microphone. Mike Goodes in the middle right where his dream and God took him!

The main show of the breakfast hour came alive with Champions Tour players Fred Funk, Loren Roberts and Mike Goodes on stage with live microphones.

Fred told the first story. Playing with Jack Nicklaus at Doral, golf’s all-time greatest player asked him to play a practice with him and Arnold Palmer the guy who popularized the game of golf. at the Masters. After eager anticipation, he did so with goose bumps, disbelief and standing ovations all day long. The 2005 PLAYERS Champion readily admitted he could only handle playing with one legend at a time. Two was too much. One at a time… makes sense…

Loren’s greatest golfing experience was partnering with Arnold Palmer in the 2007 Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. His entry ticket was being the Charles Schwab Cup Champion, Mr. Palmer’s was being the King.

If Arnold was Mr. Golf Personality & Performance, then Loren was Mr. Golf Perseverance. admittedly a late bloomer, his first win on tour came at Arnold’s Bay Hill in 1994 at age 38, twenty years after turning pro, thirteen years after getting his first tour card on his fifth attempt at Q-School. Then he properly defended his title to the extreme the next year and went on to win a total of eight times on the PGA TOUR and thiriteen times on the Champions Tour, including four Majors.

Some things in life and golf take time…

Mike Goodes has o 1 win (2009 Allianz), 22 Top 10s in 187 dream starts on the Champions Tour. Photo Credit: Google Images

Mike Goodes is like you and me, the ultimate dreamer and late bloomer—the dream of every aging amateur golfer. Never a golf professional or professional golfer until age 50. Maybe you have to dream to become a dream reality for others. His biggest thrill coming out on tour was finding out that the guys he was watching play golf on TV were Christians too.

We live in an upside-down world, don’t we?

As Fred Funk shared, the tour is really a traveling circus and there is a need to keep in touch with reality and stay grounded. Whether you are on the move and doing the moving or stationary with the world moving around you we all need to be grounded somehow, somewhere.

Where in our whirlwind world can we find that foundation for life?

It’s probably more of an emotional and mental challenge than a physical one in reality.

Golf is a selfish sport. Whether an amateur or a professional, if we are not playing it, we are practicing, if we are not practicing, we are thinking about it. There can be a fear of losing one’s skill, one’s talent, one’s ability to compete and succeed in golf and life. We are born, we grow, we live, we decline and then we die. How do you deal with that if you want to be in control of everything?

We all can easily get sidetracked in faith even if we were raised in a religious family was how Loren started to share his testimony of how he came to Christ. He was down and out of money, everything he owned was in his car and he missed another cut. He came back to his hotel room and got down on his knees and accepted that Jesus Christ had died for our sins.

Today may be that day. Coming to Christ will change the rest of your life and beyond. Photo Credit: Google Images

A new perspective and prioritization in life came upon him and others who have done so.

No longer was he identified only as a golfer and the score shot that day.

Somehow the damage golf and other selfish pursuits was now minimized.

Grounded in God and the Bible somehow calmed the whirlwind of the world.

If Jesus is in our minds we can only think of one thing at a time.

We see the big picture instead of only our own smallness.

We question our personal mission in light of God’s mission for us.

If we respect God’s will and live out our faith our mission will be God’s mission.

If you can do it, it is a gift.

We don’t have to be perfect in life. Why not be as accepting, loving and compassionate to ourselves as we are to our family and friends? Why not cleanse our hearts, minds and body of fear, resentments, dishonesty and our own egotistical self.

Johnny Hart, cartoonist and creator of the comic strips B.C. and Wizard of Id. 1931-2007 Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Remember what Johnny Hart would say—”God is God and you are not.”

Why not turn ourselves upside-down?

Chaplain Tom O’Connor the Benediction noting that in a few minutes we will all go our separate ways. I had already done that when I graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1977. The theme of our prom was “We must go our separate ways.”

We do but not necessarily alone.

These are all inspiring words and thoughts that came to me during The Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast

We can only play with one legend at a time.

We can skip through life and feel our hearts beat and our lungs breathe.

We can, as inspired by Wally Armstrong, take the Big Mulligan.

You take a mulligan in golf, why not take one in life?

Our best golf and our best life is in front of us.

The best golfer this week will win the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

What will you win this week?

The Triple Cities—still the Valley of Opportunity, Hart & Faith.

Amen.

With Loren Roberts, Mike Goodes and Fred Funk. It was an honor and a privilege to hear their testimony and be inspired to write this story. Grateful. (-:

Filed Under: Featured People, Hickory Golf, People in Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Danny Balin, Champion Person, Now Champion Golfer.

May 25, 2015 By admin

Danny Balin, the Champion of the 2015 Guatemala Stella Artois Open. Photo Credit: Google Images & PGA TOUR Latinoamerica.

As I am currently reliving the 100-day, 14-country, 18,471-mile ‘Journey to Olympic Golf,’ I was saving Danny Balin for JTOG Day No. 70 because that was the day I met him in Lima, Peru. But the word is out as of yesterday when he won his first professional golf tournament, the Guatemala Stella Artois Open on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. His victory came at The La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences on the Fuego Maya Course in Antigua, Guatemala, another stop on my odyssey to Rio.

Well the word was already out well before his first professional win if you know Danny Balin or someone that knows him! He is a great guy and I can attest to that! I was making my way down the west coast of South America with a stop in Lima. I met a guy named Billy Gorbitz who took me over the ridge to see his club called La Planicie and have some cerviche. That day they happened to be hosting the grand finale event for the Development Tour of the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. I looked at the scoreboard and saw only one American—you guessed it, Danny Balin!

Later that evening I am taking the elevator down at the Hotel & Spa Golf Los Incas and a guy gets on heading down to the lobby to pick up a pizza. I introduced myself and he told me he was there competing in a golf tournament. I told him that he must be Danny Balin and he was!

CLICK here for the Full Video Interview with Danny Balin from November 2013 in Lima, Peru.

Interviewing Danny Balin in November, 2013 in Lima, Peru.

He granted me an interview and though as impressive as that was there was more to follow that made me an immediate Danny Balin fan! Along the way on the Journey to Rio I began to accumulate golf books. First at Glen Echo, then at the Golf Club of Mexico and another one about the first 100 years of golf in Mexico. Without Torch and her trunk my backpack and roller bag were starting to buldge. Golf books are heavy! A few days later I was flying out of Lima to Santiago and there I met Danny again and explained my situation. Without hesitation he offered to take my books back to the States for me. What a guy that I just met to offer to be a book mule for me!

Danny Balin’s name on the board at La Planicie CC, now at the top of the leaderboard at the 2015 Guatemala Stella Artois Open!

At that time (November 2013), Danny’s claim to fame was competing in four straight PGA Championships, having qualified through the PGA Professional National Championship. Even more impressive is that he picked up golf in the last year in high school and never had an amateur career. But he made up for that with all he has accomplished in the last 10 years, including being a 3-time Met Section Player of the Year after coming out of the Professional Golf Management Program at Penn State.

A Michael Breed protege? Watch the video and you decide!

In addition to the four majors he competed in the 2014 Puerto Rico Open. In addition to the 29 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica events, Danny has competed in 8 PGA TOUR CANADA events. If my math is right, his win in Guatemala came in only his 42nd professional event at age 33 after a little over a decade of preparing for and going after his dream.

It is exciting and inspiring to see a guy following and living his dream!

I agree with Danny, the sky is the limit!

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, People in Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

The Battle of Quail Hollow: Phil vs. Tiger, No it’s Rory!

May 17, 2015 By admin

Rory wins for the 11th time on the PGA TOUR at the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Photo Credit: Telegraph.co.uk.

Looking back a little from Rory McIlroy’s 11th career PGA TOUR win today at Quail Hollow in the Wells Fargo Championship. I was there five years ago in 2010 when he won there on the PGA TOUR for the very first time. This is a column I wrote early in the week. At the time it was only Phil vs. Tiger. Today it seems like Rory over the World of Golf. To think there is a Major, the 2017 PGA Championship, coming there in only two years!

The original article from April 28th, 2010:

The Battle of Quail Hollow: Phil vs. Tiger

James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, was born nearby on November 2, 1795.

Good morning- this is Andy Reistetter from the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 11^th president of the United States, James Polk was born within a few miles of where I am standing. One of his successors, Abraham Lincoln was at the helm of our country when the War Between the States broke out at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Maybe you haven’t noticed but a struggle is breaking out between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods to be the Number 1 golfer in the world.

Woods may have 14 major titles but Phil won the last one at Augusta National two weeks ago. Tiger won here at Quail Hollow three years ago. Phil has consistently contended with four Top 10s and a T12 in six years though never winning here.

Welcome to the Battle of Quail Hollow.

Tiger Woods posing with his pro-am group on Wednesday on the 18th green.

World No. 2 Phil Mickelson going head-to-head against World No. 1 Tiger Woods on a golf course that feels major-like. Major-like in design, condition and tournament atmosphere. There’s a strong field here at Quail Hollow leading into THE PLAYERS Championship next week on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. World No. 3 Steve Stricker is on the sideline this week with a nagging soreness in his chest. World No. 4 Lee Westwood is here. He is comfortable wearing the crown of “best player to have never won a Major.”

Maybe he knows it is a temporary sort of thing. Sooner or later it ends whether or not you win a major. Just ask Sergio Garcia.

Even though Stricker is ranked higher in the rankings while Sergio is plummeting Westwood the Englishman rightly owns the title. His finishes in the last three majors? Joint third at the Open at Turnberry, joint third at the PGA at Hazeltine, and solo second at the Masters. He clearly is knocking on the door. Whether or not he knocks it down and takes his major championship trophy home with him to England remains to be seen. Westwood admits to being “a little rusty” not playing since the Masters.

Looking ahead to the next major- the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach he poked a little fun at FedEx a major sponsor of the PGA TOUR. A tour which he chooses not to become a member of due to family obligations and travel constraints. Remember he is Europe’s No. 1 player and won the other thing called “The Race to Dubai.”

The par-5 15th hole is the start of the ‘Green Mile.’

Wanting to play Memphis the week before the U.S. Open as a tune-up to perhaps his first major victory, he was denied a spot in the field. Image that- a regular PGA TOUR event, in need of a title sponsor by the way, not wanting the 4^th ranked player in the world in their field?

How could that be?

Well it turns out Memphis, Tennessee is the corporate home and headquarters of FedEx. When asked why he thought he was rejected from playing in Memphis, Westwood tugged at the UPS logo on his shirt playfully guessing that may be the reason.

World No. 5 Jim Furyk won here in 2006 and is hot this year with wins at the Transitions and the Heritage. For the past seven years the victors here at Quail Hollow have signaled a sort of “changing of the guard” on the PGA TOUR. In the order of their wins, the older guard of David Toms, Joey Sindelar, and Vijay Singh gave way to the intermediate guard of Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods while the younger guard of Anthony Kim and Sean O’Hair have won the last two years.

It’s no secret the city of Charlotte and the Quail Hollow Club would like to host a major championship or maybe a Ryder Cup someday soon.

The layout for Quail Hollow has changed a bit since 2010, most notably on the 16th and 17th holes in preparation for the 2017 PGA.

The golf course is a pedigree designed by George Cobb in 1961. At 7,476 yards it is a par 72 masterpiece that captures the beauty of the low rolling hills of the Piedmont region.

The last three holes- the 483-yard par-4 16^th, the 217-yard par-3 17^th and the 478-yard par-4 18^th hole are known as “The Green Mile.” Add the yardages up and that’s only 1,178 yards. Whatever happened to a 1,760-yard mile? Who shortened the finishing holes from four to three? If you throw in the 566-yard par-5 15^th hole it makes it 1,744- only 16 yards short of that mile of incredibly green tees, fairways and greens.

If you throw in the best players of the world on a great golf course with an unbelievable atmosphere then you have the Quail Hollow Championship.

Tiger versus Phil, it’s the complete golfing thrill at the Battle of Quail Hollow.

This one is likely to go four rounds, maybe more.

This is Andy Reistetter reporting from the scene of the times- good golfing and good living to you my friends.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering and working part time for various golf broadcasting networks. He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary or by e-mailing him to AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Memories of the 2015 PLAYERS Championship Won by Rickie Fowler!

May 10, 2015 By admin

This was definitely a PLAYERS to remember! And looking at the 57 pictures in the photo gallery below I remember it like it was yesterday!

Met a lot of great people, including Billy Horschel, at the Lexus pre-tournament event! What fun!

Then it was an extraordinary Military Appreciation Day with the F-16 flyover and a special performance by American country music duo Big & Rich. God and Country, it was an extra special evening to simply love being alive and experiencing life in a meaningful way!

Military Appreciation Day kicks it off and the Sunday Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse took THE PLAYERS Championship week-long experience to new heights!

But in the end, albeit decreasingly so, THE PLAYERS Championship is all about the golf and the golf was truly spectacular at the 2015 PLAYERS, especially late on Sunday afternoon!

Rickie Fowler won by beating Kevin Kisner and Sergio Garcia in a playoff but that is only the headline of the story. How he did it was truly amazing!

First, he was five strokes down with six holes to play. He played them well, going birdie-par-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie, six-under-par the last six holes! WOW!

Second, Fowler was still tied with Sergio Garcia after the new 3-hole aggregate playoff was completed.

Lastly, Fowler birdie the 17th hole for the third time in a row (regulation, aggregate playoff, sudden-death playoff), and the fifth time for the week (birdie in Rounds 1 & 2, par in Round 3) to beat Sergio in the sudden-death playoff following the 3-hole aggregate playoff.

Quite a spectacular PLAYERS!

Photo Credit: SearchPrivacy.co

[Show slideshow]

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

BEST Ticket for THE PLAYERS includes Playing Dye’s Valley!

May 4, 2015 By admin

THE PLAYERS starts with the Military Celebration and Concert on Tuesday night on the back lawn of the Clubhouse.

We are down to the last night before the world gets fixated on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass for the 42nd rendition of THE PLAYERS Championship! If you are lucky enough to be in Ponte Vedra Beach there are plans to be made. Which players to follow, where is the best location to be a spectator or if you are even more lucky, choosing which corporate hospitality tent to stop by? Or should I just hang out in Nineteen in the Clubhouse? I took a close look and came up with five spectator tips for THE PLAYERS.

CLICK here for Andy’s Top 5 Spectator Tips for THE PLAYERS Championship!

But what is the ULTIMATE PLAYERS Ticket?

In my opinion, the ultimate PLAYERS ticket is to do all of the above for the entire week and play the Dye Valley Course after THE PLAYERS. There are tee times available here for Tuesday, May 12th.

Watch golf at the Stadium Course but be sure to play golf at the Valley!

You may not realize it but the Dye Valley Course has hosted some great golf competitions of its own. Golf history made on the Valley include two Senior Players Championship and three Web.com tournaments. Since 2013 the Valley has become the permanent home of the Web.com Tour Championship. Dye’s other creati0n at TPC Sawgrass is an ongoing Fountain of Youth quenching the thirst for young talent on the PGA TOUR with champions like Russell Henley, Derek Fathauer and Chesson Hadley.

Milan Moore, Dye’s Valley Project Manager making the rounds as the restoration neared completion.

From an amateur golfer’s perspective the Valley is a guaranteed playground in great shape. Last year’s course renovation was completed in time for the September Playoff Finale. The project, managed by Milan Moore, a course designer in the PGA TOUR Design Services Group, restored the greens to their original size (roughly 30% larger) with a change to Bermuda TifEagle grass (which the Stadium will change to after THE PLAYERS this year). The fairways and tees were changed to Celebration Bermuda, following the recent change on the Stadium. With a new irrigation and drainage systems installed, the course is now available in prime condition even if it happens to rain a little before your tee time.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Lucas Andrews, Dye’s Valley Golf Course Superintendent.

With Lucas Andrews, Golf Course Superintendent in John Deere Land at TPC Sawgrass.

Lucas Andrews, the Golf Course Superintendent for Dye’s Valley at TPC Sawgrass, is the guy that creates the “firm and fast” conditions for the Web.com Tour Championship. With five years experience at TPC Sawgrass he commands the army of John Deere equipment during championship week in September. Educated in Canada, Lucas was at The Old Course in St. Andrews for a year-long internship before coming to TPC Sawgrass. His favorite time on the Valley is early in the morning or late in the evening when the low sun highlights all the bumps and hollows. Here is a guy that has come from the ‘Home of Golf’ to the ‘Home of THE PLAYERS.’

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Brian Riddle, Resident Golf Professional at TPC Sawgrass.

Brian Riddle, Golf Professional resides at TPC Sawgrass, Home of the PLAYERS on the Stadium and The Web.com Championship on Dye’s Valley.

Brian Riddle, the Resident Golf Professional at TPC Sawgrass, is a lover of the game of golf and working at TPC Sawgrass. His Dad put a golf club in his hand as a young child and after playing junior and high school golf he tried to walk on at UNC Wilmington. While not successful as a competitive golfer he turned to the business side of golf After earning his Business Management degree, he went to NC State and graduated from the Professional Golf Management program. His favorite hole on the Valley is the dogleg right No. 6 (Tournament No. 15) with water all the way down the right hand side. Brian has an interesting title and he laughed when I asked him if he lives at the Clubhouse. I think he does.

Enjoy THE PLAYERS this year and play Dye’s Valley! You will be happy you did!

Penn State has Happy Valley, we have Dye’s Fun Valley! With John Anderson, Dennis Berkholtz and Stokes Hill (L to R).

Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, East Coast Golf Journey, Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Andy’s Top 5 Spectator Tips for THE PLAYERS Championship!

May 4, 2015 By admin

View of the 18th from the terrace of the Clubhouse, no better sense of TPC Sawgrass than here!

Going to THE PLAYERS Championship this year? If you are not, you should be whether you are a golf fan or not. This is THE community event in Northeast Florida and the premier event of the golfing season since it is hosted by the PGA TOUR at its home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida at TPC Sawgrass. This will be my 7th consecutive PLAYERS Championship starting with Sergio’s playoff win on the 17th in 2008 to last year’s romp by Tiger Woods. Last week’s Media Day was a progressive affair that put me out on the Stadium Course looking and tasting all the latest Executive Director Matt Rapp’s team has to offer at Golf’s version of Disneyland. THE PLAYERS Ultimate Entertainment Guide (courtesy of THE PLAYERS) is included below. Here are Andy’s Top 5 Spectator Tips for the 2014 PLAYERS! No. 1 is sure to surprise you!

No. 5 Enjoy TacoLu’s Tacos on Twelve!

With TacoLu owners Debbie & Don Nicol at their new venue behind the 12th green.

Maybe it’s my food hangover from the Journey to Olympic Golf through Latin America or the shame of not yet having gone to TacoLu, Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana restaurant but you have to try “The Lu’s” delicious menu items! Baja Fish, Bangin’ Shrimp and TacoLu Verde are the featured tacos. Your challenge will be to find this secluded, shaded, siesta solution to taking a break from the world’s most competitive golf. It’s located in the middle of the Taco Triangle formed by the 11^th tee, the 12^th green and the 13^th tee. Enter this haven by crossing directly in front of the 11^th tee (when clear of flying golf balls of course) or back player’s left of the 12^th green. One of many, many fine eating choices. See more details below in THE PLAYERS’ Ultimate Entertainment Guide.

No. 4 Party at a Lot Party Onsite after Play!

With former All Pro Jaguars player Tony Boselli.

They all benefit charity so pick at least one, preferably more, this year and enjoy! I am going to THE CUT hosted by the Boselli Foundation on Friday because former All Pro Jaguars player Tony Boselli encouraged me too. He is a BIG guy so I listen to what he says! “The Lot” is a hospitality structure located outside the Nicklaus Gate in General Parking off of CR210. The Lot parties follow the end of golf and requires an additional ticket. Every night is a great party with great entertainment for great causes!

Wednesday is CASY (Corporate America Supports You) which is dedicated to getting local servicemen and women back into the workforce. The event will feature live performances from Jason Isbell and Cali Rodi.

Thursday is The After Partee hosted by YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. Kimberly Paige, a Ponte Vedra native, will open for Jon Pardi. Proceeds will enable the YMCA to send children from underserved communities to summer camps across the First Coast.

Friday is THE CUT hosted by the Boselli Foundation. The Boselli Foundation provides educational and character development programs to at-risk children in Jacksonville. Live entertainment by The Band Be Easy.

Saturday is Loudmouth Day at THE PLAYERS & the Lot Party!

Saturday is the Fancy Pants Party hosted by Blessings in a Backpack. Entertainment by Yacht Rock from Atlanta. Funds raised go directly to the Duval County chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, which provides children on the federal free and reduced lunch program a backpack full of food each weekend during the school year so they are assured nourishment when they’re not in class.

No. 3 THE PLAYERS IS the Best Value in Golf!

THE PLAYERS Championship is the Best Value in Golf. No kidding, right in our backyard. Here are a couple of ways to minimize the cost.

Orchestrated by volunteers, upwards of 17,000 cars per day will fill these parking lots.

Why pay for parking when parking is free for fans with four or more guests in a vehicle? A new voucher must be downloaded and printed for each day, but there is no limit to the number of days guests can park for free.

On the flip side, fans not taking advantage of the “Four for Free” policy must purchase parking in advance. Those who arrive without a parking pass will be routed back to Will Call and will pay a premium of $50 per pass. Volunteers will no longer be able to sell parking passes in the lot.

THE PLAYERS will allow fans to bring in their own food in a 1 gallon clear, plastic bag where food items are also wrapped in clear wrap. This policy does not allow fans to bring in beverages but free, chilled and filtered drinking water is available in the permanent restrooms near The Patio, Taste of JAX and Wine & Dine on 9 so keep a bottle and refill it as many times as you’d like.

For each ticket purchased online, fans receive a $20 gift card to PGA TOUR Superstore (redeemable in store or at PGATOURSuperstore.com). Tickets are also for sale at 55 Publix stores throughout Northeast Florida and two locations in Georgia.

Kids have a lot of fun at THE PLAYERS! Maybe Sergio Garcia will repeat his 2008 victory this year?

Youth 18 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult – there is no limit. This means a family of five can attend THE PLAYERS, but only pay for the two ticketed adults, or a youth soccer team can attend with their coach and only pay for the coach’s ticket.

The Family Plan package offers additional savings just for families. For just $89, families get two adult grounds tickets, unlimited youth admission at the gate and two $10 concession vouchers. The Family Plan is also offered at 25 participating Daily’s convenience stores.

THE PLAYERS provides all career military (active duty, Reserve, military retirees and dependents) with complimentary admission to the tournament and discounted admission for veterans. To obtain vouchers for admission click here.

Play the 17^th in the Stadium Village close to the Clubhouse on the way to the 10^th tee. The PwC’s First Tee Challenge is a replica of the famed 17th hole and you can take two FREE shots at the Island Green.

No. 2 “See Best” at the Sea Best 17 Deck!

View of the 17th & 16th from the Sea Best Deck. The 18th is also visible from this, the best view at THE PLAYERS Championship.

As NBC’s Gary Koch would say, the Sea Best 17 Deck is “better than most.” It’s hard to beat the views and atmosphere around No. 17, the most iconic hole in golf; but this year, the Sea Best 17 Deck is new and you can have a better-than-ever, bird’s-eye view of the Island Green, No. 16 fairway and green as well as the 18^th tee box. The Sea Best 17 Deck is a public bleacher behind No. 17 green and features a covered deck, misters to help fans stay cool and concessions. The view is FREE but you have to pay for Sea Best Shrimp and Grits, the signature menu item of THE PLAYERS 2014.

No. 1 Visit the World Golf Hall of Fame…

With WGHOF member Dr. Charles Sifford on Opening Night of the ‘Honoring the Legacy: A Tribute to African-Americans in Golf.”

… to see a new permanent exhibit called “Honoring the Legacy: A Tribute to African-Americans in Golf.” There is no WGHOF Induction this year (now every other year) but Hall of Fame member Dr. Charles Sifford, nearly 92 years young, was present for the ribbon-cutting Grand Opening on Friday, May 2^nd. It is a whole new Hall of Fame experience with a legendary welcome walk and Major Exhibits in Shell Hall in addition to the new innovative historical exhibit. Golf’s “Highest Honor” just got a little bit higher! Only 25 miles and 30 minutes away from TPC Sawgrass, go as soon as you can either before, during, or after PLAYERS week!

The Ultimate Entertainment Guide to THE PLAYERS:

An Insider’s Look at the Tournament, From Best Food Deals to the Best Places to Be Seen

(Courtesy of THE PLAYERS Championship)

Provide your readers/viewers with a one-stop guide of everything to do at THE PLAYERS, from where to get the best food, best shade, best drinks deals and restroom locations.

Best places to eat

THE PLAYERS Championship has more to offer than your average sporting event, and there’s no better illustration of that fact than in the food selection.

New this year, TacoLu, Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana, will be featured on course at THE PLAYERS. Seating and shaded areas located between 12 green and 13 tee will give fans the chance to rest, relax and enjoy some of “The Lu’s” delicious menu items, which are always made with the freshest ingredients.
New in 2014, “Trucks on 10” features six local food trucks and is located between 10 fairway, 11 fairway and 15 green. This public venue offers flavors from local, favorite food trucks, an upgraded restroom and an open-air, centrally located Michelob ULTRA Mobile bar. Trucks on 10 will offer seating for fans and include great-tasting food from local trucks: Mama’s Food, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Corner Taco, Gourmet Aviator, Up In Smoke and BBQSuper Food.

If it’s options you’re after, The Food Court is calling your name. Located behind No. 16 green, there are plenty of choices sure to satisfy everyone in the family. Grab some classic concession favorites from the All-American Grill, or pick items from a favorite local restaurant like Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, Brucci’s Pizza or Tropical Smoothie Café. When everyone has what they’re after, stake out a shady spot with tables and chairs at The Grove and enjoy a relaxing family meal.

Best places to cool off

Need to beat the heat? All of the locations below are open to grounds ticket holders and give you a chance to take a break from the action – and the sun – while enjoying the atmosphere that is uniquely THE PLAYERS.

Stadium Village is completely tented and air-conditioned, making it the ultimate destination when you need to cool off. While you’re there, enjoy a variety of interactive activities, mobile device Wi-Fi access, luxury restrooms and a cash bar.
The Grove is an outdoor, shaded area located behind No. 17 tee. The venue includes pavers, tabled seating and an upgraded walkway from the Nicklaus Gate that will lead fans directly to the location. The Grove will include a large video board showcasing the Golf Channel and NBC broadcast so fans won’t miss any tournament action while they’re taking a break.
The Patio is located close to No. 10 tee and the 18 hospitality area and is a shaded area with tables, food and beverage for purchase. You can relax away from the heat without missing any of the action. The Patio also features permanent restroom facilities, includes the Michelob ULTRA Bar and a social media board covering THE PLAYERS Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

Where to be seen

Everyone who’s anyone is at THE PLAYERS – and if you’ve been at least once, you know that No. 17 is a major hub of activity. But check out these other hotspots and you’ll be sure to run into someone you know – or want to know. Just don’t forget to return to the action out on the course at some point!

New in 2014, the Michelob ULTRA Blue Room VIP Lounge is located between Stadium Village and 10 tee. This ticketed venue includes all-inclusive beverages (beer, wine, soda and water) and signature dishes from top local restaurants, air-conditioned seating and entertainment.
New in 2014, the Sea Best 17 Deck is the best spot to see golf and be seen. It’s hard to beat the views and atmosphere around No. 17, the most iconic hole in golf, but this year, thanks to the addition of the Sea Best 17 Deck, fans will have a better-than-ever, bird’s-eye view of the island green, No. 16 fairway and green as well as the 18^th tee box. The Sea Best 17 Deck is a public bleacher behind No. 17 green and features a covered deck, misters to help fans stay cool and concessions.
You’ll need to purchase an upgraded ticket to gain access to The Turn, but it’s well worth it. Located between No. 18 and No. 9, this hospitality venue gives an excellent view of both holes – either from the air-conditioned interior or the outside stadium seating.
If you have an upgraded Clubhouse ticket, don’t spend all your time indoors! Hang out on the Clubhouse Lawn and enjoy food and beverages, available for purchase, from award-winning TPC Sawgrass Nineteen. In the shadow of the beautiful 77,000 square-foot clubhouse, the lawn offers ample chairs, umbrella tables and a view of No. 18 green.

Where to see the golfers

Don’t roll your eyes – yes, we know, “Duh, on the golf course,” is the appropriate response. But where, EXACTLY? Check out these sneaky locations to get up close to the action and as personal as possible to some of the best players in the world.

True golf fans know that the Practice Area is a must-stop at THE PLAYERS. You can grab a spot up against the rope line and be thisclose to the world’s best as they hone their craft…sometimes for hours on end, not to mention the fact that players usually stop and sign autographs as players come and go. Back of the range
Located on the Clubhouse side lawn, The Terrace gives you the best of both worlds: a great spot to relax with a cash bar (with mixed drinks), tables and umbrellas, as well as a unique view of the chipping green and practice area, where you can watch players warm up and work on their games – and maybe pick up a tip or two.
Another area where players let their guard down and interact with the fans is outside the Scoring Area. Players enter the scoring area located between the Clubhouse and Stadium Village to sign their scorecards after they finish their rounds on Thursday-Sunday. This is one of the best places to hang out and collect player autographs.

Best chance for celebrity sightings

Sure, there’s Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Rickie and the rest of the gang. But THE PLAYERS has its fair share of celebrities who are big fans of the world’s best golfers, just like you. You never know who you’ll see strolling along the rope line and enjoying the action, but here are a few additional locations where celebs flock throughout the week.

Hang out near the new Jaguar Den by No. 17 tee for a glimpse of some of your favorite former Jags, coaches and Jaxson De Ville as they relax and enjoy THE PLAYERS Championship.
Don’t miss Military Appreciation Day on Wednesday on the Clubhouse Lawn, where Jake Owen will be performing. Local celebrities and TOUR players often attend the concert and mingle with the crowd, so keep your eyes peeled.
While the Patriots’ Outpost is open only to military personnel and their families, it’s not a bad idea to hang out near the facility as dignitaries and celebrities are always stopping by to spend time with the troops. And even if you don’t see someone you know, say hello to some of our local men and women in uniform – who should be recognized, even if they’re not famous.

Best beverage deals

You need to cool off, and we’ve told you where to find the best shade and A/C. But an ice-cold drink is no doubt at the top of your list. Be the first to check out these deals, and your friends will think you’re an insider.

A limited-edition THE PLAYERS acrylic tumbler, filled to the brim with THE PLAYERS Signature Drink – the Sawgrass Splash – is available wherever spirits are sold. For $10, you’ll get a 20-ounce Sawgrass Splash in a 2014 PLAYERS tumbler that features the tournament logo and a list of the past champions. The commemorative cup itself (with no beverage) is available for $5.
Newsflash: it can be warm in Florida in May. Don’t be that person in 2014 whose good time is ruined by dehydration. Drink water, lots of it. Chilled, filtered drinking water is available in the permanent restrooms near The Patio, Taste of JAX and Wine & Dine on 9; so keep that bottle and refill it as many times as you’d like as a way to stay hydrated and save money at THE PLAYERS.

Best bathrooms

Even after decades of staging a world-class golf tournament, there is always room to improve the fan experience at THE PLAYERS. After each event, the tournament undergoes an extensive critique process, and a key aspect is fan feedback through surveys and social media comments. One of the most resounding items of feedback in recent years centered on the quality of bathrooms for fans.

THE PLAYERS has added another large-scale, permanent public restroom located at Taste of JAX near 11 Green and 12 Tee, which was constructed in the fall in advance of this year’s event. The new facilities feature 11 toilets per side and will also have air conditioning, attendants and changing stations in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. As in prior years, there will be additional temporary restrooms throughout the tournament as well. This third facility complements the two that were constructed – to great fanfare – at The Patio and Wine & Dine on 9 (near No. 16 tee/No. 9 fairway) in time for the 2013 event.
No port-o-lets here. The restrooms at Stadium Village are top-of-the-line, luxury facilities that feature air conditioning, running water and bathroom attendants. Freshen up and get back in the game.
The Grove and The Patio also offer premium, structured restroom facilities, giving you one more reason to spend some time at these new locations.

Best merchandise

THE PLAYERS is already Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach’s ultimate fashion show, but why not add to your closet collection with a few carefully selected items that are uniquely THE PLAYERS? Since all the merchandise is fabulous, these recommendations are more about strategy than specifics.

When you first arrive at THE PLAYERS, immediately stop at the merchandise tent as you enter from the main parking lot, at the end of the Walk of Champions. Stock up on all the necessities for a day at the course – hats, sunscreen, and one or two limited-edition items with THE PLAYERS 2014 logo that might not be there by day’s end, like a commemorative 2014 PLAYERS pin flag or PLAYERS tumbler (with a list of the past champions on the back). You also want to make sure you check out the latest fashionable hats and t-shirts that may set the trend for THE PLAYERS.
Mid-day head over to Stadium Village and cool off in the A/C while browsing the 6,200 square-foot PLAYERS Shop. You can check your merchandise with an attendant and pick it up at the end of the day, so no worries about lugging around your loot.

If you’ve got a Clubhouse ticket, you’ll want to hit up the award winning, Best 100 Golf Shop at TPC Sawgrass as well as to check out everything from PLAYERS merchandise to TPC Sawgrass keepsakes.

Best views of 17

You know you’re going to spend some time – probably a lot of time – at No. 17. But where can you best experience all that this world-famous par 3 has to offer?

We can’t help but brag about the new Sea Best 17 Deck. Located behind 17 green and open to the public, this spot offers a bird’s eye view of the famous island green that simply can’t be beat.
The Benefactor is an upgraded ticket, but the view doesn’t get any better than from the second floor of this shared hospitality venue. And when you’re looking out over the 17^th tee with an ice-cold drink and a snack from Morton’s The Steakhouse, you may never want to leave.
It’s easy to find a great seat on Wednesday at No. 17, where you won’t want to miss the little-known but much-enjoyed Caddie Contest. Each year at THE PLAYERS during the Wednesday practice round, players and caddies switch roles when they arrive at the famous 17^th hole, and the caddies get the opportunity to take a swing. This is great tradition unique to THE PLAYERS and one that provides an added layer of entertainment for the fans, players and caddies alike.
An underrated spot to watch golf within the natural amphitheater near the 17^th hole is on the hill behind the 16^th green. Here you get to see players take aim at the risk/reward par 5 16^th hole and still get to watch them take on the famous island green at the 17^th.

Best views of golf NOT at 17

With all that’s going on in the new venues at THE PLAYERS, don’t forget to venture out on the golf course to really soak up the action. Here’s a quick list of sneaky spots (read: less crowded) that offer great views of this world-class event.

Elevated mounding behind 2 green provides a great place to watch players decide whether or not to go for the par 5 in two or lay-up, and then you can keep an eye on them as they head to No. 3 tee to take a shot at the par-3 green. Here’s another tip: the refreshment stand at No. 2 green/No. 3 tee has shade umbrellas in the seating area.
The 11^th hole is a fan favorite par 5 where players often go for it in two, the green is surrounded by sand and water, which provides non-stop drama and excitement. The newly enhanced bowl-shaped mounding around the green provides better views with great shade, and you’re a stone’s throw from a new permanent restroom and great dining options at the Taste of JAX.
The elevated mounding behind 10 tee provides great views of players’ tee shots, and you’re just steps away from a permanent restroom. As you walk the hole, be sure to stop at Trucks on 10 – our new food truck food court – where you can grab a snack from some great local vendors on wheels!
The par-3 13^th offers a more intimate setting than the 17^th hole, but there’s still plenty of drama and excitement. Fans directly behind the green may even see a ball or two roll through the green and end up in collection area just on the other side of the ropes from where they’re sitting. The top of the mounding behind the green also provides a nice view of players teeing off on No. 14. Additionally, you are still close enough to Tacos on 12 to take care of any and all must-have-tacos-now episodes in a timely manner.

Best family-friendly venues

THE PLAYERS is one of the best, most affordable family entertainment options going, and there’s more to a day at TPC Sawgrass than the world-class golf (although we bet a glimpse of Phil Mickelson or Rickie Fowler will make your son’s or daughter’s eyes light up). Spend some time with the kids at one of these locations where they can have fun without worrying about anyone saying, “Quiet, please.”

Returning in 2014, The Kid Zone stars the “GameTruck,” a mobile, video-game theater provided spectators with HDTVs and a wide selection of games for Xbox360, Wii, PlayStation3, as well as a GameCoach who manages the activities so parents can relax. The Kid Zone also offers snow cones from KONA ICE (for purchase), a putt-putt course, arts and crafts, face-painting and an inflatable obstacle course for the kids to blow off some steam. The Kid Zone features a restroom trailer, videoboards and a misting tent where everyone can cool down.
Experience the best of Stadium golf at Stadium Village and the PwC First Tee Challenge – a scaled version of the famous 17th hole where kids and adults alike can see just how difficult it is to reach the green. The area also includes video games, concessions, merchandise and outdoor seating – where you can rest up before returning to the tournament action.
No trip to THE PLAYERS would be complete – especially for the kids – without collecting a few autographs. Be sure to hang out in one of the “Autograph Alleys” for the best shot at snagging a prized signature from some of golf’s greatest players.

What not to bring

You’ve got sunscreen. Sunglasses. Your fashionable hat. All the things needed to make a statement and have a blast at THE PLAYERS. But what shouldn’t you bring to the golf course?

Once the tournament starts on Thursday, don’t get sent back to your car because you brought a camera. While taking photos is permitted – encouraged! – Monday through Wednesday, any budding shutterbugs will need to leave the equipment at home once the competition gets underway.
Kids (6 years and older) to a hospitality venue without a ticket. Yes, kids get in free to THE PLAYERS with a ticketed adult – but this policy applies to grounds tickets only. If you’re planning to spend some time in The Turn or The Benefactor, for example – and we hope that you do – and if your child is 6 years of age or older, they’ll also need one of these upgraded tickets to gain admission.
We’ve got plenty of places to sit and tons of shady spots with umbrella tables, but if you want bo bring your own chair or umbrella (just in case), here’s a tip for avoiding a common rookie fan mistake: leave the cases or covers for those items in your car, as those are prohibited items.

Where and how to use your cell phone

Worried about missing a call while you’re at THE PLAYERS? We have an app for that. The PGA TOUR unveiled a new cell phone policy in 2011, meaning you no longer have to worry about separation anxiety because you were forced to leave your mobile device at home. But don’t be “that guy” who reminds everyone why cell phones weren’t allowed on the course for so long and follow these tips.

Put your phone on silent.
Texting/emailing is allowed anywhere.
Use designated areas throughout the golf course when making or receiving phone calls (check the course map for “Mobile Talk Locations”).
Don’t use your mobile device for video recording at any time during the week.
Only use your mobile device to take photos Monday through Wednesday.

Best place/best strategy for getting players’ autographs

While we can’t discount the ultimate strategy for getting tons of autographs – be a cute kid and say “please” – these tactics will definitely increase your chance for success, no matter your age.

Hang out in an “autograph alleys.” Post up near the Practice Areas and the Scoring Area, as these locations are where players tend to stay until the last request is satisfied. Players are much more apt to stop and sign in these areas as opposed to when they’re out on the golf course. Throughout the week, players will only be signing autographs at the designated “Autograph Zones,” not on the golf course.
Make a statement (a good one, of course). Wear a “Phil is my Phavorite” t-shirt. Get six of your best friends to join you and shave the letters “A-K-4-E-V-E-R” into the backs of your heads. Dress up in total Ian Poulter gear and spike your hair. Just be respectful, creative and bring a Sharpie.

Best travel tips for THE PLAYERS

They say getting there is half the battle, right? Here are a few quick travel tips to make sure you arrive in style to THE PLAYERS 2014.

Pile in. Fans with four or more guests in a vehicle can park for FREE Thursday through Sunday with the “Four for Free” parking voucher. Fans can go online to https://theplayersparking.clickandpark.com (click on the “Tickets” tab) to download the voucher.
Purchase parking ahead to save time and money, parking passes can be purchased at https://theplayersparking.clickandpark.com. Those who arrive without a parking pass will be routed back to Will Call and will pay a premium of $50 per pass. Volunteers will no longer be able to sell parking passes in the lot, as officials have determined this is a main contributor to congestion and delays.

The best way to access the public parking lot is via SR-210 from Nocatee Parkway. Trust us, you’ll avoid the congestion and delays that are typical of A1A and spend more time enjoying the tournament.
If you live close by, ride your bike to the tournament and use our “bike valet” off ATP Tour Boulevard Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. A $5 donation is suggested, which benefits the North Florida MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Chapter. And even if you don’t live near TPC Sawgrass, meet up with friends at a nearby park or business and “bike-pool” to the tournament.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Memories of the 2015 Masters Tournament won by Jordan Spieth!

April 6, 2015 By admin

Heading over to Augusta on I-20 Easter Sunday morning for the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals… what a glorious sunrise!

Effie Perakis, Girls 7-8 Champion with Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw. Effie made a 30-foot putt on the 18th green to win! She jumped higher than Phil Mickelson when he won!

Toby Wilson, Boys 14-15 Champion with Chairman Payne. Toby started out badly with both drives out-of-bounds byt rallied and won the chipping and putting to become the National Champion!