Wachovia Championship

Mike took the last three weeks off from playing after Augusta, which means a nice break for me!  We are on the road for so much of the year that when there is a three-week period all together it is a real treat and gives me time to do some fun things at home.  I spent some time out at the lake trying to catch some fish (trying being the operative word – I was unsuccessful!) as well as some time riding around on my new motorcycle! 

Now its time to get back to work and see if we can get on a roll heading into the US Open Championship next month.   Mike and I went down to Pinehurst on Tuesday to play a practice round.  The course is only a two-hour drive from Charlotte which is where we are this week for the Wachovia Championship.  It was good to get to see the course before the actual week of the major, although to be honest, I was a little disappointed in the condition of Pinehurst.  They are doing a lot of re-sodding around the greens and it really isn’t in the best of shape.   There are however 5 weeks left before the Open, so hopefully the weather will heat up for some good growth on the course prior to the championship.

In my opinion, the Wachovia Championship is one of the top if not the best run event on tour!  The event organizers run everything so well, from parking to the food, to the special caddy party on Tuesday night.   But no matter how well you treat the players, the course has to be a good challenge in order to get a field like it does at this event.  And Quail Hollow Club is a fantastic, old-fashioned tree lined course that definitely meets the requirements for a good tournament.

The course hasn’t really changed much since playing here last year.  The main difference is that the rough is not as long as it has been in years past.  The short rough will be an advantage this week to long hitters who tend to hit fewer fairways.  The greens and fairways are in great shape this week.  The fairways are firm and the ball is really rolling this week, and will continue to as long as the rain in the forecast holds off this week. 

Overall, Quail Hollow is a very demanding golf course, however the last three holes are the most challenging.  Number 16 is a long par 4 at 480 yards and has one of the trickiest greens on the course.  This will be a tough hole to make birdie on.  17 is Quail Hollow’s signature hole and is a great par 3 with a 200 yard carry over water.  The right side of the hole is the bail out area but makes for a really tough chip into the green.  A great spectator hole, 17 is always exciting to watch coming down the stretch.  Finishing hole 18 is another great par 4, with a challenging green.  Par will be a good score on this hole.

This should be an exciting week.  After three weeks off Mike is well rested and ready for a good stretch of playing 5 events in 7 weeks.  We are also paired with Tiger Woods and Steve Flesch for the first 2 rounds.  Steve’s caddy and I are good friends, and playing with Tiger is always great, so I’m really looking forward to the week.

Before I sign off I’d like to send a congratulations to the London Knights junior hockey team back home in Ontario, for their series victory over the Kitchener Rangers.  I grew up in the London area and have always been a big fan of the Knights and junior hockey, and listen to all of their games on the radio.  They play Ottawa next and I predict that the Knights will reign supreme in 5 games.  The Hunter family has done a great job with the Knights and I am looking forward to getting back home for the Memorial Cup in a few weeks to cheer the Knights on in person!

Thanks for reading,

Brennan Little