Tuesday at the PGA Championship

I took the opporunity to go out and wander around Hazeltine National GC during yesterday's practice round. What a place! The picture is of #13, the expanded 248-yard, par 3 (that yesterday played to over 260!).

Not only is the golf course BIG - 7,674 yards - but so is the property. Amazingly, with all of the people there, it never seemed crowded, but Tiger had finished his practice round and press conference before I showed up.

They have the public (which I was yesterday as opposed to a volunteer on Saturday & Sunday) park at Canterbury Downs and then hop a school bus to the course. This is really convenient but takes 30 minutes from "door-to-door".

Once you enter the place, it will take you some time to get oriented with the layout. Of course, a stop at the Merchandise Tent (conveniently located at the main gate) is almost a must - but plan on spending some time in it to see everything under the sun PGA Championship!

I made a point to walk most of the holes without regard to seeing any particular players - just to walk the course. It's in fabulous condition, and the 5+" of rain they received last weekend didn't do anything to hurt the rough. The winning player will be high on the driving accuracy list at week's end. To that end, I believe the winning score will be in the 7 to 9 under par (279-281) range. Yes, it could be lower, but a mistake here or there will result in double bogeys quite easily.

Until next time-

Doug

Summer Update - PGA Championship Week

If it's any indication of the golf season in MN, just look at the number of posts I've made! My intent was to post from tournaments, or at least once a week, to give updates on the goings on in MGA golf. Unfortunately, work gets in the way. Maybe I should consider this as part of work then I'll be able to stay on top of it better!

Here it is, the week of the PGA Championship, and I'm just posting pictures from our extremely successful MGA Amateur Championship. Steve Watson, Perry Johnson, Dale Jones, Bob McKinney and their respective awesome staffs made everyone feel so welcome during our four days at Mendakota CC. I'm glad the tournament finally finished; otherwise, I would have gained about 20 pounds simply from the oatmeal, chocolate-chip cookies Mr. Watson insisted on bringing to the tournament office!

We did have our weather challenges. In fact, we suspended a total of four times. Monday was a perfect day and play went just as well. (See picture #1) Tuesday was the antithesis.

We stopped at 8:00 am due to heavy rains making the course unplayable. (See picture #2) This respite lasted two hours. Then we stopped again at 4:45 pm due to lightning. After a 1:45 delay, we resumed at 6:30 and played until we suspended for a third time at 8:30 for lack of daylight with almost 40 players still on the course. (See picture #3)

Wednesday, we returned to finish the second round at 8:00 am and finished at 10:15. After a quick cut and repair, the first groups teed off to start the third round at 11:30. Then, with storms bearing down on us, we suspended (for the fourth time) for another 1 hour, 42 minutes, but were able to finish with plenty of daylight left had we needed it for a playoff.

Congratulations to Champion Tom Hoge from Village Green GC in Moorhead. Tom, who plays for TCU, shot a 3-under par total of 213 to beat last year's Amateur runner-up Jon Sauer and this year's Players' Championship runner-up Travis Ross by two strokes.

Next on my plate, a few days at the PGA and then our MGA Four-Ball Championship at North Oaks Golf Club. I'll be the "Range Captain" (in charge of the other PGA member volunteers at the driving range) on Saturday & Sunday. Unfortunately, I won't have any pictures from this experience to show you, but I hope to get a few when I go out to Hazeltine today.

Until next time-

Doug