The TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course

I couldn't sleep last night. I only got about 4 hours. I was so nervous. I kept tossing and turning. I barely touched breakfast. I was nauseous. This course is beyond my skill. I'm going to hold up my foursome and the rest of the day.

We arrived at the course at 7:30 for our 8:06 tee time. When we checked in, the guy didn't ask us to pay for the caddy. The website clearly stated that the Stadium course required a caddy per cart. The gift certificate clearly stated that only the greens fees and cart were covered. It said nothing about the caddy. Maybe we'd lucked out. I asked if we were playing alone or had we been teamed with another twosome and was told that there was another group. Bummer. I was hoping to get away with just Pam and I. Oh well.

Like yesterday, everyone was very nice. We left our clubs over night, so we didn't have to lug them to/from the car. The bag boy loaded them up on the cart and sent us to the practice range for a little warm up. After 15 minutes of warm up, we headed off to see the starter. We were way early. The first to arrive. There was another group ahead of us teeing off at 7:57. They showed up shortly after us pluds a twosome going off after us at 8:15. Our other twosome still wasn't there. The 7:57 group went off and the twosome from 8:15 was very anxious to join Pam and I, because they had to drive back to Key West after their round. It was not to be. The rest of their group showed up just as we were about to team up, so Pam and I were sent to the 1st tee promptly at 8:05 for an 8:06 start without a caddy. Things were looking up, but we were warned that the starter may send the rest of our group to join us later if they showed up.

This is the TPC Stadium course. The course was specifically designed so spectators could easily watch the game. When this course was being designed, they spent a lot of time studying the spectator experience. One of the biggest selling souvenirs was periscopes. People were stacked 10 or 15 deep and anyone more than 2 rows back couldn't see anything without them. So this course was designed with berms at the tee boxes and the greens, so all the spectators had a great view.

We pulled up to the tee box at 8:06 and the other group was still taking their second shots, so we sat back and enjoyed the view and the cool morning. We followed them very closely for the first 6 holes. When we got to 6, they still hadn't teed off. They were getting drinks from the snack cart. Guess they weren't worried about pace of play. They asked if we wanted to play through. We said, "Hell yeah!". That put us at the front of the line. As long as we don't really mess up bad, we could play at our own pace and not worry about pushing or being pushed. Sweet!

When we were looking for our balls out in the fairway of 6, we spoke briefly to the other group's caddy, who was out there to spot their shots. We asked him why we didn't get a caddy. It turns out that everyone has to have a caddy, unless you are using a certificate. With the certificate, you have to specifically ask for a caddy when you make the reservation. We later confirmed with the hotel pro shop that they did not request a caddy for us.

The day shaped up to be one of my best rounds ever. Pam and I played quickly and well. I usually feel the pressure to keep pace, which just makes for a miserable round. But since we were just a twosome and the group behind were slow, we had the entire course to ourselves. We saw almost no one except the beverage cart all day. The PGA Pros don't even get this kind of treatment.

Number 17 is the signature hole. It is an island green with just a small strip leading out to the hole. A picture is below. We were so far ahead that we had lots of time to take pictures and enjoy the view it. It was great. And Pam even parred it. I bogied with a 4 :(

As we pulled away from 17 and started looking for the best view of 18, one of the marshals pulled up. He asked if we were just looking around. We told him no, we were the 8:06 tee time and passed the 7:57 back at 6. He told us that was good, because they were holding up the whole course. We chatted for a few more minutes then he drove off.

17 may be the signature hole, but 18 is my favorite. From the berm behind the championship tees, you get the most spectacular view including the brand new club house. Pics below. I can't imagine playing here on tour (for lots of reasons), because the championship tees are very claustrophobic. You are surrounded on three sides. And they are close. As we were chipping onto the green, a 6-person cart pulled up to watch. My first audience! I chipped on with and left myself a 5 foot putt. Pam left herself on the fringe about 15 feet away. Using her putter she got to within 2 feet. And finished in one more stroke. She got quite a nice golf clap. A stood up to the challenge and sank the putt. And the crowd went wild! At least in my head. Really, I just got a golf clap.

Turned out the group were prospective members of the club out for a tour of the course and grounds. The guide was an LSU graduate, so we talked about the UK win over LSU the night before. Quite a finish with 4 overtimes. After a short chat, we headed back to the clubhouse.

When we got to the 19th and added it all up, I shot 115 for the day. Not my best, but I'll take it.