DAY 11: TPC Course at Sawgrass.....Ponte Vedra, Florida

When do you come to the realization that if you don't do it now you will never do it


The above passage was in my mind when I made the decision to play the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass. Sure it was pricey, but geez sometimes things come along that might never again and next to the Masters at Augusta, this course is probably the most watched and best known. It is where the professional golfers, the PGA, hold their annual championship in early May and it is home to the most photographed hole in golf.....The Number 17 Island Green Par Three. Pittsburgher native Angelo Spagnolo, known as "The World's Worst Golfer"  carded a 66, yes a 66 on this one hole. I was hoping to beat him by at least five strokes. Up early and ready to go, the Sawgrass Marriott Resort where I was staying had one of the nicest buffet breakfasts you can imagine. Making sure not to overeat, I filled myself with fruit and some bacon (always bacon) and headed the short drive over to the course. Coming up the road to the clubhouse was exciting and the clubhouse before me looked more like a palace. To call it huge is an understatement

 I was greeted by the bag boy  who took my bag and placed it on a cart, and some guy in a tuxedo who looked oddly out of place for a golf course, gave me directions as to where to park and where to check in. Making my way up to the Clubhouse and genuflecting as I walked in the door, I made my way to the pro shop which itself was huge, filled with every TPC and Sawgrass monogrammed item that you could imagine. After checking in I was directed back outside and driven down to the practice range where my bag was placed on another cart and I met my fore caddie for the day, Ragan. Ragan would be the one to direct our day on the course, read greens, rake traps, look for errant balls and share stories of TPC. One of the chief characteristics of a good fore caddie is the ability to suppress laughter and by days end I would have put him to the test.

Hitting some balls I eventually met the others in my group. Bill, a forensics specialist from St Augustine who gets to play once a year as he helps marshall for the TPC Tournament, and Keith and his wife Beverly, a couple from Cocoa Beach, he being a pulmonary doctor. At the first tee box we were given instructions and you could just tell this was going to be a special day. Three different people welcomed us. The golf carts were like the Rolls Royce of Golf carts with ice chests, snacks, seed and soil for divots, bronze plaques for us to have embossed...everything one could ask for. So off we headed to the first tee. Ragan zipped out ahead to watch our first shots....and mine....mine....I promptly hit up under a tree. But my recovery was great to the oohs and awes of my playing partners and only bogeying the first hole I felt quite good and looked forward to a wonderful day. The course was so wonderfully manicured, like playing in a formal botanical garden and the sunny 88 degree weather just made it perfect.

Our day progressed on and it was clear to see that I was the best golfer in our group (please stifle your caustic comments my dear sister :) and some holes good...some not so good. The course was quite challenging, the greens slick and undulating, and Ragan's help was much appreciated. My playing partners were a joy to play with and Ragan shared lore and legend of the course and the club. Around the 13th hole an older gentleman drove up with a cart and a cooler. He opened the cooler which was filled with water and ice and he inquired if we wanted a cold towel. Taking a pair of tongs he reached down through the water and pulled out a wet towel for each of us. A welcome relief on a hot hot day.

Eventually we came around to the famed Number 17 Hole and Ragan made a decision for all of us telling us to hit from the Champions Tees....the same ones that the pros use for the tournament. It was the right call. A 135 yard shot was necessary to this island green, the most photographed hole in golf.

So,how did I do?...........Take a look :)

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The Green was as difficult as the shot with not a level spot on the entire green. Our group finished and moved on to Number 18 and then done. After saying our farewells to each other and thanking Ragan for his wonderful assistance I roamed the clubhouse some more taking in the different rooms and trophy displays and doing some shopping.

At the end of the day it had been quite the experience and I am glad that I had the opportunity to play here. I actually played rather well considering.....shooting a 90 in the process. If you don't believe me ask Ragan....if you can get him to stop laughing.