The morning round setup changed as we got the revised forecast with a change in wind direction. We are very happy with the way the course is playing. It is amazing to see how many people are finding the bunkers "hazards" today.
I had one of the most humbling days of my career today. Much to my surprise, my staff presented me with a painting of the 7th hole. It was painted by Mark Martin, a talented staff member since 1992. The painting was signed by all our employees and volunteers most of which were former staff members here dating back to 1988. My great friends that I worked with during all our renovations, Rees Jones, Bryce Swanson and Clyde Hall also gave me their autograph! It is nice to know that I have had a positive impact on so many young men during my career. I have been fortunate to have hired some great people that only needed a chance to show what they could do. I had a great example set for me by Palmer Maples that I worked for in 1974. My job, like theirs, is to pass it on!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 2 PGA
We had a great day yesterday with everything going as smooth as they do on a practice round Monday. We had to make a few adjustments to lights and jobs as a result of our "experience"!
The afternoon session went well and we finished earlier than expected. Only one small problem with a mowing falling in a bunker, but no damage done. Huge storm came up on the radar and gave us a good scare, but it ran out of steam before it hit us. If we can get by today, the rest of the week looks great with temps in the 80's and 60's for the first time since May!
Ken
The afternoon session went well and we finished earlier than expected. Only one small problem with a mowing falling in a bunker, but no damage done. Huge storm came up on the radar and gave us a good scare, but it ran out of steam before it hit us. If we can get by today, the rest of the week looks great with temps in the 80's and 60's for the first time since May!
Ken
Monday, August 8, 2011
Championship Week
I woke up at 2:00 am this morning ready to go. Championship week is here after a 10 year wait!
I am so fortunate to be able to do two PGA Championships! Very few people get to do one so two is a real special treat. Another things that makes is so meaningful to me is all the Superintendents that have worked on the Highlands course for me are coming back this week along with many of the assistants and OJT students that have been here over my 23 year tenure.
The golf course is ready for the best players in the world. I hope everyone enjoys the week!
Ken
I am so fortunate to be able to do two PGA Championships! Very few people get to do one so two is a real special treat. Another things that makes is so meaningful to me is all the Superintendents that have worked on the Highlands course for me are coming back this week along with many of the assistants and OJT students that have been here over my 23 year tenure.
The golf course is ready for the best players in the world. I hope everyone enjoys the week!
Ken
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Beautiful Shots
The golf course is looking great. I have a couple of shots, one from yesterday afternoon on #18 and one from this morning on #1 mowing at sunrise. Ropes are going up today, so the cart tops have to come off. The rough is coming down to 2.25 inches to make it a little easier to advance the ball. The green firmness will make it hard to stop any shot from the rough. The high today will probably be over 100 with the heat index in the 110 range. The Championship would have been a disaster had we not changed our greens from bentgrass to an ultra dwarf bermuda!
Ken
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday starts with Phil
Phil Mickelson dropped by this morning and went off #1 about 30 minutes ago. He is on his way to Firestone as well. Phil was very close to winning here in 2001. I would not be surprised if he contends again, if he keeps the ball in the fairway!
I wonder who else will be here today???
Ken
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tiger Woods and David Toms Practice
The day started with one of those text messages, "Are you in your office"? I know that means something is up. Tiger called and was coming in for a practice round on his way to Firestone.
We had to change many of our plans to get mowers out in front and move people around to keep it very low key. We did not want reporters, helicopters or any other interference. We also wanted to keep the internet quiet! Tiger was very cordial and seemed happy to being playing. He liked the course and the greens. It was good to see him back playing and hitting the ball well. His swing looked very good and much more controlled. I hope he plays well and does not have any problems with his old injuries.
David Toms was scheduled to be here around lunch, but got here early. David is a real gentlemen and has been a great ambassador for the club. How many times have we seen the hole in one on 15 from the 2001 Championship. He took a picture of his plaque today. It is good to see him healthy and playing well. He played 18 holes and then hit balls for a couple of hours. I expect him to do well, even though he does not hit the ball as far as some do. He will hit fairways and that will be the key to scoring. It will be difficult to score from the rough when the ball winds up behind the hole. Downhill putts at "championship" speed are very hard to be agressive with. David was very complimentary of the course conditions.
It will be interesting to see who drops in tomorrow!
Ken
We had to change many of our plans to get mowers out in front and move people around to keep it very low key. We did not want reporters, helicopters or any other interference. We also wanted to keep the internet quiet! Tiger was very cordial and seemed happy to being playing. He liked the course and the greens. It was good to see him back playing and hitting the ball well. His swing looked very good and much more controlled. I hope he plays well and does not have any problems with his old injuries.
David Toms was scheduled to be here around lunch, but got here early. David is a real gentlemen and has been a great ambassador for the club. How many times have we seen the hole in one on 15 from the 2001 Championship. He took a picture of his plaque today. It is good to see him healthy and playing well. He played 18 holes and then hit balls for a couple of hours. I expect him to do well, even though he does not hit the ball as far as some do. He will hit fairways and that will be the key to scoring. It will be difficult to score from the rough when the ball winds up behind the hole. Downhill putts at "championship" speed are very hard to be agressive with. David was very complimentary of the course conditions.
It will be interesting to see who drops in tomorrow!
Ken
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