Friend of mine worked the tournament as a walking scorer and said HCC did a great job of shaving the sides and front of greens, and then picking tricky pin positions, which made it a test for the pros. But not impossible as two different players shot 61. It looked like they had a good crowd on Sunday at least, from what I could tell on TV. I meant to attend at least one day, but could not make it work.
HCC also ideally located for the event, i.e., East end of Louisville on US 60 and Hurstbourne Lane within 5 miles of 300K or more upper middle class residents, as opposed to Champions, on a single country road in Jessamine County within 5 miles of 3K residents, half of which are farmers. HCC also has a great clubhouse facility. No doubt there is some cachet to hosting a PGA event, certainly helped Champions fill up its membership, and then some.
As golf fans, we ought to hope it stays there. Last year's field alone included JJ Spaun, US Open champ, Paul Waring, who won the Abu Dhabi HSBC championship last fall over the entire Euro Ryder Cup team, and Marco Penge, who just finished T2 with Rory at the Scottish Open. In short, you are certain to see topflight players, probably on their way up, so long as the ISCO stays in Louisville.
My only concern is how long the community will embrace the event, which is somewhat perceived as a minor league deal, given that the A teamers are overseas on TV that week. It lasted a few years in Alabama, 5 or 6 years at Champions, and so hopefully, it will stay at HCC for a good while. I heard the membership took a vote and taking the event passed by only a 60-40 margin, maybe they will change their mind, but you do have to give up your course for a couple of weeks in prime golf season, which was a big minus in the eyes of the Champions members.
PS: What set Adam Hadwin off on Friday? He hit a bad tee shot on #9, the par 3, and cut loose a stream of F bombs. I know he wasn't playing well, but he completely lost his ish on TV for all to see and hear.
HCC also ideally located for the event, i.e., East end of Louisville on US 60 and Hurstbourne Lane within 5 miles of 300K or more upper middle class residents, as opposed to Champions, on a single country road in Jessamine County within 5 miles of 3K residents, half of which are farmers. HCC also has a great clubhouse facility. No doubt there is some cachet to hosting a PGA event, certainly helped Champions fill up its membership, and then some.
As golf fans, we ought to hope it stays there. Last year's field alone included JJ Spaun, US Open champ, Paul Waring, who won the Abu Dhabi HSBC championship last fall over the entire Euro Ryder Cup team, and Marco Penge, who just finished T2 with Rory at the Scottish Open. In short, you are certain to see topflight players, probably on their way up, so long as the ISCO stays in Louisville.
My only concern is how long the community will embrace the event, which is somewhat perceived as a minor league deal, given that the A teamers are overseas on TV that week. It lasted a few years in Alabama, 5 or 6 years at Champions, and so hopefully, it will stay at HCC for a good while. I heard the membership took a vote and taking the event passed by only a 60-40 margin, maybe they will change their mind, but you do have to give up your course for a couple of weeks in prime golf season, which was a big minus in the eyes of the Champions members.
PS: What set Adam Hadwin off on Friday? He hit a bad tee shot on #9, the par 3, and cut loose a stream of F bombs. I know he wasn't playing well, but he completely lost his ish on TV for all to see and hear.
