Nationwide Tour Championship (at Craig Ranch) Observations.......

[Sam-Tee-Time]

..........from a local fan.......

In my tradition of reviewing tournaments, here are my observations from the Nationwide Tour Championship at Craig Ranch Tournament this last weekend. I hope you enjoy!

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

- This was my first Nationwide event, and wont' be my last. The feeling was very fan-friendly, less crowds, less drunks and "playa-type-business jerks" in the fan base, and a terrific, relaxed feeling around the course. As many players were in contention for the top 25 of the nationwide money list, many players were very tense and serious, but most others seemed pretty relaxed. I loved it.

- The course (TPC at Craig Ranch) has a rugged, natural beauty to it. Very good looking greens, plenty of trouble, and an interesting layout. lots of spectator areas to watch multiple teeboxes and greens. The rugged western look even went as far as the guardrails on the bridges, which were unpainted iron, allowed to rust, for a rugged appearance. A bit of a long walk, as each 9 is separated by a bridge, but a very nice course.
- No Scorecards? I don't understand why, but there wasn't a scorecard layout (with yardages, or the par for each hole) anywhere to be found. The tee time sheets didn't have the information, and even the ProShop didn't have extra scorecards. Wassup with that?

- WTF with no Gatorade or sports/electrolyte drinks for sale anywhere? The Byron Nelson has the same problem, you couldn't find an electrolyte drink for sale anywhere! Geesh guys, what's up with this?

- The clubhouse "hut" that sells food & drinks was trying to fool people with a sign that read "Electrical Room Storage" over the "Men's Restroom" and "Women's Restroom" signs. This didn't fool me one bit…….it was soooooo sweeeeeet to sneak into that restroom, which had HOT water, air conditioning, and lined in tile and nice fixtures. Sweet to have a nice potty!

- I always laugh at some of the Junior golfers who show up in their "Playa" gear. I was laughing to myself at 2 young guys who had top-of-the-line Titleist and Ping raingear, expen$ive Oakley sunglasses, Tour hats, and a serious "Player Scowl" look on their faces. They walked around the course looking like Junior F.B.I. agents. Lighten up guys! Hee Hee!!

- The top 25 players on the money list had gold-colored caddy bibs, with their money list position number on the bib. This was a GREAT idea, as it helped you identify the guys "on-the-bubble", and follow their progress during the round, and watching the news reports on Golf Channel afterward. A wonderful idea.

PLAYER OBSERVATIONS

- Chris Anderson - Had a nice little chat with his wife at a porta-potty. She warned me of how "icky" and dirty it was. It really wasn't that filthy.

- Arjun Atwal - It's easy to see why he was once #1 in putting on the PGA Tour. His putting is simply sublime, very easy stroke, smooth and controlled. Wonderful to watch on the greens. He was in a very relaxed and easy-going mood with his Tour card secure.

- Ricky Barnes - Big, strong, and stocky looking. His father who was following him around, looked the same way, with calves as big as fire hydrants. I hated his putting stroke - he stands very open to the ball, and 'swipes' at the putt ala Billy Mayfair. I think if he fixed his putting, he would succeed on tour. Has a bad temper, and looked VERY nervous and weird on Saturday (3rd round). A strong player, but I didn't see enough consistency to think he'll succeed on the big tour.

- Josh Broadaway - this is the guy that plays with the bass-ackwards grip, swings right handed, but grips the club with his RIGHT had on the butt of the grip. Oddly - he swings righty, but putts lefty. He skulled a wedge out of a bunker about 3' past my head, didn't say a word to me - no biggie, I didn't 'get hit! He wastes no time over a shot, simply looks at a target, and swings away. Too fast, in my opinion.

- D.J. Brigman - Is now my FAVORITE Nationwide tour player. I love his posture, setup and his powerful, smooth tempo, and powerful ballfight. He's from my home state of New Mexico as well! I was watching him at the driving range, and complimented his swing - he seemed very thankful, and really seemed to have a great attitude on the course.

http://www.djbrigman.com

- Kay Cockerill (former LPGA player, current golf channel analyst) always seemed to be in a good mood, and all the players seemed to like her. A constant smile on her face, she seemed genuinely happy.

-Colt Knost - Local boy made good. HUGE entourage with plenty of SMU hotties following him. Famous instructor Randy Smith (Royal Oaks CC) was also with him most of the time. A pretty powerful player, needs to stay away from the cheeseburgers and sodas, lest he turns into a John Daly lookalike. Oddly - his practice swing starts with a VERY vertical club takeaway, but his real swing……is flat as a pancake. Weird.

- Mark Leishman - Another awesome driver swing! Powerful, efficient draw swing that really looked good, reminded me of Adam Scott's drives.

- Spencer Levin - Powerful swing which reminds me of Sergio how he lays off the driver on the backswing, and got his tour card this weekend. I suspect you'll see some good results from him, his game looked pretty sharp.

- Bob May - was playing very sharp on Thurs/Fri, but faltered on the weekend. His swing looked LASER sharp at times, off other times. I really wish this guy would get back on tour, as I always admired his duel with Tiger at the PGA Championship. Was playing with Chris Smith on Sunday, who is apparently a childhood friend.

- Greg Owen - I've always admired him after his response to losing the Bay Hill Invitational (by 3-putting from 3 feet). But…….I've changed my mind about this guy, after witnessing his horrible temper (again). He gets SO upset at every missed shot, and I really disliked his demeanor. You're off my good list, chump!!

- D.A. Points - jeesh, what a temper! I've posted about this guy before - he REALLY has a foul temper, is upset with every shot it seems. chill dude, chill!

- Daniel Summerhays - Much, much too careful, too many practice strokes. Just hit the ball already!

- Peter Tomasulo - AWESOME SWING!! I loved his powerful, smooth draw swing. What a terrific player, I think he'll do well on the big Tour. His swing is a beauty to behold, a nice powerful ballflight. Good short game as well. His clothing looked custom made, was it his own brand perhaps? I didn't recognize the logos.
- Matt Weibring - was good to see his dad D.A. Weibring (former PGA player) following him around. Nice to see a lot of family support as well.

-Casey Wittenberg - Very straight hitter, but a lot shorter in distance. Will he make it on tour? I'm not sure if his (lack of) length will be a problem or not. I realize he's best buddies with Paula Creamer, and gave her the "Pink Panther" nickname……..an introduction would be nice! ;)


EQUIPMENT OBSERVATIONS

- Ping, Titleist, and Nickent were everywhere.

- The Nickent drivers sounded awesome, a muted, powerful, unique sound. I loved it.

- Plenty of TaylorMade "Tour Burner" drivers, even in non-Taylormade staffers' bags. This was a very popular driver out there.

- I demoed the Adams Golf "Insight XTD Prototype" driver at the demo tent for Art Sellinger's "Power golf" store. This driver was AWESOME! Great feel & sound, and it felt "hot". The shaft was an Ozik, which felt very, very smooth and nice. My launch monitor numbers were very, very good with this clubhead, I hope to hit it on a range soon. Got some free Pinnacle "Platinum Feel" balls as a gimme.

[liveagua]

great post...

 

I have never been to a Nationwide event, but I have been to some minor tour events. Good to hear about Tomasulo...he is a great guy.

 

Very interesting to hear about all the bad tempers. Could that be why these guys are struggling to get to/back to the PGA Tour??? This should be a lesson to all of us about how we look when we let our temper get the best of us. We look like jackasses.

 

Again, great post.

[B-Man]

Awesome post Sam. You need to get a job as the "Gallery Observer" for The Golf Channel or something.

[bsc1872]

Spncer levin wears his collar up and he is a punk but Mr. Jim Colbert does it for years and literally thought he was gods gift to golf and nobody says anything. Jim Colbert told me and my cousin when we ten years old at the SENIOR Tour Event in Naples, FL that he would not sign our stuff because we were probably going to sell it to make money. Are you kidding me what $20 bucks if I was lucky. I thinkyounger players get a bad rap for being an individual with clothes in todays golf world but every player back in the day had loud clothing, the famous white belt, matching shoes and alot of players wear there collar up just because of the sunburn you get on the back of your neck. Great post though, I just wish some people would not judge a book by its cover we only see these players on the golf course WHERE THIS IS THERE JOB AND IF WE PUT CAMERAS IN SOME PEOPLES OFFICES AND JOBS WE WOULD NOT LIKE WHAT WE SEE EITHER???

[Sam-Tee-Time]

.....................I just wish some people would not judge a book by its cover ..............

 

I understand completely, I suppose I was referring to some internet posts a year or two ago about Spencer's personality, as lots of posters were referring to his upturned collar as a stereotype symbol of a "jerk".

 

You're 100% correct though - making assumptions without knowledge is not a good thing, so I went ahead and edited that out. :friends:

[PurePursuit]

Sam these posts are always excellent reads, thanks for taking the time out and sharing your observations/opinions.