First Look at TPC Sawgrass

I played TPC Sawgrass' "THE PLAYERS Stadium Course" (yes...that's the actual name, and don't you forget it) this weekend (Jan 30, 2010).  And for fear of finger injury, excuse me as I heretofore refer to it as "Stadium". 

For those of you outside the area, even though Ponte Vedra Beach is technically in Florida, (PVB to Naples is 360 miles...PVB to Charlotte NC is 383 miles), it is not the typical Florida climate that is shown on the commercials for the State Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  To prove that point, Jacksonville (PVB's hub city) does NOT have a Convention Center hotel...or even motel.

That being said, early January saw the longest cold snap in this area's history...18 straight days below freezing, with many mornings dipping into the teens.  Some area superintendents said that while they routinely deal with frost delays each winter, this year was the first time that the ground actually froze.  I know of a couple dulled cup cutters for sale on ebay...

This would not have been such a big deal in the 'overseed' days of THE PLAYERS being held in March.  Back then, it really didn't matter how many freezes the area had...the overseeded bermuda grass (rye in fairways and rough, poa/bent mix on the greens) would stay green, and even expand a bit with the bermuda dormancy. 

Yet, with the date of THE PLAYERS being moved to May a few years ago (2007 was the first PLAYERS on redone course), the course got a new base of soil on the fairways and the greens were switched from tif-dwarf Bermuda, which was over-seeded each winter, to a new hybrid strand called mini-verde Bermuda, they no longer overseed the greens.  The winter of the initial grow-in was co-operative, with the entire season (Dec-Feb) only accounting for fewer than 10 frost delays.  Yet, the winter of 08-09 saw the TPC Sawgrass staff have to call for over 25 frost delays, and the winter of 09-10 is on the way to reaching over 35 frost/freeze delays. 

In response, the grounds staff at Stadium has introduced a system of putting protective 'tarps' over the greens to prepare for cold nights...and it seems to have worked well.  How can I tell?  Because there are very well defined 'right angles' on the green complexes that clearly denote where the tarp was (fairly dark tint of green grass) and wasn't (completely dormant, brown bermuda). 

Having played the course, I can tell you that there is not any freeze damage on the greens, and that they are getting through the area's record-breaking-cold winter just fine.  Some the other areas though...not so much.

Many areas of the 'rough' have seen some freeze kill...with bare-soil sand more prevalent than thick, or even dormant, bermuda.  I don't see this being a problem at all if the tourney was to be in June and the area was to get a nice run of "150 degree" weather.  (What I mean by that is when you add the night-time low to the daytime high, and the total is 150 or higher, that is when bermuda grass grows at its normal pace)  Having the tournament in early May will make the agronomic staff at TPC Sawgrass work harder than ever to get the roughs to a uniform cut this year.

As opposed to last year...when the differing rough heights were of the man made kind, not the work of Mother Nature.

On the subject of course changes...there won't be any.  I saw no evidence of tee box extensions/changes or green complex adjustments.  The only noticeable changes are ones that are very welcomed: tree removal.  As you read more and more of my articles, you'll learn that I have a fairly large disdain for trees in the line of play.  I believe they force the player to play one shot, rather than give a player a choice.  The mind should play more a role in a round of golf than what flavor Tiger Gatorade to get at the turn...oh wait...I can't get those any more. 

You were expecting something different?

A combination of life's experiences combined with the fine public schooling in Putnam City, Oklahoma provide me with this observation about Michelle Wie's loss today: I saw it coming.

Did you?

This girl has been groomed from the age of 13 to be a loser. Her parents continually put her in situations where the higher percentage was on the side of her failing. It is her parents that have built this six year gap that exists between today and her last victory at ANY level. Yet, where is the blame?

With Leadbetter's tutelage, you can learn to take your swing from upright to 'on plane' and to hit knockdown wedges. But what he or no other instructor can teach you to do is how to win.

Don't get me wrong. In the grand scheme of things, a second place finish for a 19yr old rookie on the LPGA Tour is a nice feat. But do you think it is worthy of multi-million dollar endorsements from SONY and Nike Golf?

Do you?

There is a saying that all you learn from losing is how to lose. Well, thanks to BJ Wie and his misguided, ignorant wife, Michelle has a Masters degree in losing and is working toward her double major in Late Round Collapses.

In today's final round, Michelle did all she could and all she has ever known: lost. I think it's time for the announcers to stop putting the attention on Michelle's failure to win and place it squarely on the shoulders of her parents. Put a mic in their face, and ask them the following question: "How much blame do you take for Michelle not knowing how to win?"

Don't you?

PS Mark Rolfing's announcing today was over the top. He went beyond being an apologist for Michelle choking down the stretch, and came across as a downright enabler for Michelle's parents. Shame on Mark for his unprofessional behavior today.

Practice Shots

This week is the Sony Open

• No 5 ft 1in teenage boy or 6ft 1in teenage girl in the field for the first time in many years...no more freak shows. It's just about the golf. It's about time.
• Australians have won quite a bit in Hawaii...if it gets breezy, look for Ogilvy to win this week too.
  
• While you're at it, check out the web site for my radio show at www.radiogolfshow.com My co host Garry Smits has a great notes section on this (This Week tab) and every week's event. Also, he and I give our picks for this week. We're on a pretty good roll...if one week of good picks is considered a 'roll'.
  
• Did you catch any of Rich Lerner interviewing Boo Weekley at the Mercedes? Rich asked Boo what he had for dinner the previous night, and Boo said "pork chops". That response was met with quite the pompous chuckle and a 'gotta love it' kinda attitude. As if pork chops is the choice of dinner for the great unwashed.
  
• Speaking of Boo, in discussing his book with Lerner, Rich asked if he's gonna be the next Hemmingway. Boo responded "who's that?"...only to VERY quickly say "I'm just kiddin". Me is starting to think the Boo Show is just that...a show. Keep an eye on it.

Getting Ready For 2009

Tiger Woods was spotted hitting balls with FULL SWINGS on the Isleworth range with another Nike Golf TOUR player...

Vijay Singh has left Titleist and will play the Srixon golf ball. A long time Cleveland staff player of clubs, Vijay is now all Cleveland/Srixon (one company now). Buyout rumored to be $400,000.00

Fred Funk is paying the price for coming back a bit early from surgery last year. His knee that was operated on last year has reportedly developed an infection. The procedure he had Monday to help the infection may keep him out of action until April.

Mark is writing this and wondering when the last time he heard an athlete say, "You know, I took too long to come back from surgery..."