The Player’s Championship
The Player’s Championship is the unofficial 5th major and is held every year at this time at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedre Beach, Fl.
The course was designed by Pete Dye, is the home to one of the most famous holes in golf- the 17th “Island Green”, which is said to collect between 100,000 - 150,000 balls per year in the water surrounding it. Watching this golf tournament is akin to watching a Nascar event. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s fun to watch the wrecks. Watching professional golfers plop ball after ball into the water from 130 yards out is fun, no matter how you look at it.
One of the most famous collapses is held by Bob Tway, who in 2005 was tied for 10th place, just four out of the lead on Sunday at 7 under par as he approached the 17th. When he finished the hole, after plunking four into the water, he was tied for 72nd at 2 over par.
I was able to play this course on my honeymoon many years ago…
I came to the 17th, playing the Blue tees measuring 121 yards to the center of the green and hit a 9 iron to about 3 feet of the pin. My playing partners weren’t so lucky, so I tried to hold down my excitement, nevertheless, I was on the green and thought I had a birdie within my reaches. Three feet. I studied the line and gave it my best. The ball went left, then right, then left again… it might have done a figure eight… before slipping by the hole. I tapped in for par.
It has to be the most disappointing par in my life, but at the same time the most memorable one I’ve ever had. Anytime I watch a pro skip a ball off the green into the water I can say to myself “Hey- I parred the damn thing! And you call yourself a pro!?”
…I conveniently choose to forget that I shot 108 (36 over par) under clear blue skies and non-tournament conditions.
But I still parred the 17th hole!
Don’t believe me? Here’s my original scorecard as recored by my wife; click to enlarge:
May 12th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Thanks to my recent golf lessons, I understood this post! Your wife is awesome for many reasons. The fact that you got to play this course on your honeymoon, and that she kept score for you, just adds to the list.
m.
May 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Glad you made this post. I’ve been watching this for the last two days. Never seen a golf match so interesting. Love that 17th hole.
May 14th, 2007 at 7:48 am
I think the guy in second yesterday hit five from the tee and dropped to 6th. I would feel bad, if it weren’t for the massive amount of money he still made for finishing where he did.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Yea, but you just knew his collapse was coming… always does… a young kid on the back nine of an important tournament usually ends up falling apart at the end.
He’ll be back.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I also had the pleasure recently of playing the Stadium course with my 11 year old son. And yes, I also parred 17, with a 7 iron from 115 yards. I landed about 8 feet past the hole, missed my bird by inches but hit a two footer for the most satisfying par I have ever had!! Playing 18 with the sun setting and the evening bagpipes sounding in the distance was almost anti-climatic. Unfortunately, my son didn’t make the green in 3 tries. His first attempt was the closest, and if he’d played the junior tees instead of the whites like I suggested, he would’ve been on there as well.