This years Players Championship was held in Tubac Arizona at the Historic Tabac Resort home of the filming of Tin Cup. Tubac has nines and the event was held on Ontero and Rancho (Anza was closed for renovations) Prior to the event the Head Proffessional advised that players should score on the Ontero because once they start Rancho the players will be tested especially when they enter the TUBAC TRIANGLE featuring a 463 yard par 4, 255 yard par three and a 651 yard par 5 where players have to negotiate huge tree and water for their approach shoots into the green.
As expected on day one 63% of the field shot par or better but surprisingly 37% of the field shot par or better on Rancho yielding 36% of the field shooting a total par or better. Since the players defeated the course on day one assisted with perfect holding greens, perfect weather, and 3500 feet of elevation, it was decided for the course to fight back. By adding 250 yards to the length and demanding pin placements the course served its sweet revenge by just allowing 50% of the field to shot par or better on Otero and 0% on Rancho yielding only 26% if the field to shot par or better for the entire 36 holes.
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| Mark Wanke Flight 1 Champion |
Carlos Gonzalez led the charge on day one with a net -8 followed by Mark Wanke at -6, but Mark was one of the few to shoot under on day two and finished at -9 a five stroke victory over Carlos Gonzales who finished a -4.
In flight one Wanke won by 7 strokes over Tyler Mason but for Mason his 2nd place victory was victory in itself for it gave in the lead on the National Order of Merit. With one major left in the season Tyler has his own destiny in his hand and the possibility to be the first player in USA history to earn a spot on team USA twice not to mention in back to back years.
3rd place in flight one was a battle and was decided under the most bizarre turn of events. Jerry Edwards, Tim Borgwardt and Yuri Pikover were all tied at +2 and the palyoff hole was a 133 yard island green par 3. Edwards had the slight advantage after his approach landed 12 feet from the hole but after a three put for a 4 it appeared that Edwards was eliminated with Borgwardt and Pikover moving on to a 2nd playoff hole.
However in the process of their pars Pikover fixed the cup with out calling over a tournament official who was available and Borgwardt picked up his ball with out marking it. As a result both Pikover and Borgwardt were assessed a two stroke penalty for 5’s and giving Edwads the victory.
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| Carlos Gonzalez Flight 2 Champion |
In flight two it was all Carlos Gonzalez from start to finish despite his +4 on day two. Carlos won by three strokes over Rich McDaniel and Prashant Paranjape. This is Gonzalez first victory on tour and he earned enough points to jump into 2nd place on the National Order of Merit. Due to the WGAT Growth the last major of the year only needs 30 players for a 2nd player to be chosen to be on Team USA from the National Order of Merit Standings.
In the playoff for 2nd it took 3 playoff hole to determine the winner with Rich McDaniel taking the win.
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| Mike Fair Low Gross Winner |
In the Pre Players Championship Challenge it was new comer Mike Fair from Tuscan Arizona winning low gross with a 76 just edging out 2013 Team USA members Jerry Edwards and Randy Bryant.
In the low net devision a playoff was needed to decide the winner between Jerry Edwards and Logan Bryant. Logan won on the first hole with a tap in par. Logan who is just 14 years old had dedicated his short life to baseball, but after going to the World Championships with his Father last year in Durban South Africa, Logan swears that motivated him to take up the game of golf so one day he follow in his fathers footsteps and also be a member of Team USA.
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| Logan Brant Low Net Winner |
Randy, Logan's father has another story to Logan’s new dedication to golf. It wasn't until logan met a beautiful 14 year old girl who happen to play golf. From that point on Logan can be found at the golf course 8 hours a day practicing.
Which ever story you wish to believe the fact remains that 8 hours a day has paid off. Logan started the year with a 20.5 index and within the last month alone he has improved to now being a 10.7 index. Who would have thought that 8 hours a day practicing would make us better golfers. There is a lesson for all of us in Logan’s story. It’s not practicing 8 hours a day will make us better, its finding a girl our age who plays golf to motivate us to practice 8 hours a day.
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| Jenner Austin Winner of the "Belt" |
Finally in an unofficial win, the winner of the “belt” may have meant more to Grant Stanis and Jennifer Austin then winning the Players Championship. Let me explain....Stanis and Austin have to award each other the belt after each round they play against each other. The last round prior to their trip to come to Tubac Arizona Grant had won the belt back from Jennifer. To show respect to the meaning of the belt Grant bought a plane ticket for the belt to be placed in the middle seat between Grant and Jennifer. Jennifer then had to look at the belt for 6 hours being reminded she was beaten. Well Jennifer won the belt back at the Championship and I personally look forward to hear what happens next.........to be continued.
