The Sports Sauna at the PGA Turning Stone Championship

The last golf tournament I went to was the US Open at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY a few years ago. I was worried that this significantly smaller tournament would kill all my enthusiasm for watching golf in person that I took from that tournament. I didn't need to worry. It was still a lot of fun today, on only the second day of the tournament. I'm excited to return for the final round on Sunday. A few highlights...

Best Shot
Nothing really stands out. We didn't see any long putts. Actually, we saw a lot of missed putts. There were a couple near chip-ins. I think Jason Gore's monster drive on the dogleg 15 was the most exciting shot to watch. We were standing right behind him when he blasted it.

Runner Up: Vaughn Taylor's punch through the trees on 7 on his way to saving par.

Most Revealing Moment
I overheard Chad Campbell, in the midst of a mediocre round, ask a random course volunteer how his day was going. Campbell has a schlep-y demeanor, but I guess he's a pretty nice guy. 95% of PGA players are not celebrities. Nobody really comes off as aloof. Many of the guys at this tournament are trying to grind their way into the top 125 on the money list, which gets you full exempt status for the 2008 Tour. Unlike team sports, all the pressure is on the individual in golf. You're very aware of that aspect when you're standing right next to a guy who's got to figure out a way to save par with his ball buried in the rough.

Runner Up: Jason Gore started shadow boxing his caddy while waiting to hit. He really is as fun a guy as we thought he was. I think he ended up missing the cut, but he was in good spirits the whole way around. He's like the new and improved John Daly, in that he hits it long and he's actually a good guy.

Favorite Spot
From the 8th tee you can watch the action on the 7th green and the par 3 16. The spot is on an outer corner of the lay out, so not too many people there. We followed groups most of the day, but it's nice to find a spot to hang out and let the players come to you for a while.

Best Outfit
Jesper Parnevik, of course. Passed him on the way out.

Biggest Mullet
Charley Hoffman edged out Stuart Appleby

Possible 2008 Superstar
John Rollins is for real. He's got a nice intensity about him.

Impressions of Atunyote Golf Club
It's playing a little easier than the organizers hoped. I expect they'll try to make it even harder next year. Like many courses, it will take a few decades before the course really comes into its own. The CEO of Turning Stone, Ray Halbritter, has high goals for the course, like moving the tournament up in the schedule and trying to get a major somewhere down the road. I don't think that's unrealistic in the long run. Designer Tom Fazio has done very well.