Saturday, August 13, 2011

Day 3 PGA Championship

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!

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

Day 2

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

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