If you’re going 36 on Sunday a caddy can’t pick a better track than Waialae CC. It’s short, flat, has a temperate climate and the scenery ain’t bad next to the ropes, up the mountain slopes, and along the shore. If you pay attention to the wind, grain on the greens, nibble on a couple of PB&J sandwiches along with some fruit and suck down a few bottles of H2O you should be okay.
Cap Cana - Dominican Republic
While my quiche was finishing up in the oven, yes real old caddies eat quiche, I checked emails and received a quick note from Sandy, Tom Kite’s caddy. The Champions Tour just released the following statement:
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Champions Tour Q-School, TPC at Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL
Driving across Alligator Alley Saturday morning I was thinking about the 7 or 8 Q-Schools I’ve attended over the years and only successfully graduated from one. There were three final stages on the PGA Tour, two on the Champions Tour, and a few second stage visits. I wouldn’t consider myself a grizzled vet at these things but seen enough to know no one really wants to be here. They are a necessary evil for struggling tour pros and a glimmer of hope for club professionals and low handicap amateurs.
Constellation Energy Championship
Our last major, the Constellation Energy Championship at the TPC at Avenel in Potomoc, MD started out cold, rainy and miserable Monday. I was walking the Jim Hardy redesigned course, adding sprinkler heads to my yardage book because the course was playing long, wet, and difficult. My first thought was a few of the old boys may not finish this week, my second was would I? My last trip here was 1991 and I forgot how hilly the course was, it was going to be a long week.
Ensure Classic at Rock Barn CC & Spa – Hickory, NC
Heading west on I-40 from Cary, NC John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” droned in my head. Hickory, NC is the smallest town supporting a Champions Tour event but the gallery lining the fairways is deeper than L.A., New York, Chicago or any other metropolitan tournament. The fans are supportive, appreciative, and cordial and have more fun during their tournament week than any other tour stop. Driving into town signs are everywhere, “Welcome Champions Tour Players and Caddies.”
Kaddy Korner – Week Off – Random Golf Thoughts
My $125 Sunday redeye flight from San Jose to Milwaukee stopped in Atlanta and Cincinnati but I was sitting in Wrigley Field at the start of the third inning Monday afternoon. Moira Dunne was calling and texting me needing a caddy in NW Arkansas P&G Classic but I priced myself out of the deal plus she needed someone there sooner than I could drive down. I spent the week visiting Mom and Dad in Havana attending my first Octoberfest in 37 years.
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First Tee Open – Champions Tour – Pebble Beach, CA
I really wasn’t sure I was going to Pebble until the last minute. In fact, I booked my flight late Sunday evening and flew into San Jose Monday afternoon. Luckily, I have some good friends, Jim and Lolita, in Santa Clara who understand the last minute arrangements caddies sometimes have to make. They picked me up at the airport, loaned me their car for a few days, and put me up for the week.
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My brother Dan, caddying for Tamie Durdin this week, moaned about the greens, rough and weather. The long hitter “Durds” was struggling in the practice rounds but fired a two opener and made the cut tied for 36th. “There’s no reason for the standard bearers to carry any red numbers after the first day” he said. “Absolutely the toughest U.S. Open track he’s ever been on in his 25+ caddy years, someone could hurt themselves out here,” he sighed.
The Regions Charity Classic played at Ross Bridge Resort and Spa used to be the Bruno’s Memorial Classic at Greystone Country Club and back then it was the strongest field with the largest galleries on the Champions Tour. These days the field is weak, the fans gather around the four or five holes surrounding the resort hotel and rarely venture out on the course, and there isn’t the buzz around Birmingham like there used to be. There were a lot of “remember when” stories about Greystone floating around the practice tee; everyone would love to go back.
Transitions Championship – Innisbrook – Tarpon Springs, FL
The Transitions Championship (a few other sponsors also) has been coming to Innisbrook since 2000 and prior to that the Mixed Team PGA/LPGA was held here in the late 80’s and early 90’s. It was a lot of fun back then, still challenging, but it was the off season and a chance to make a little Christmas money. Now the course has been redesigned (1999), lengthened, and toughened up enough that a major could be staged here.
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