PGA Championship

Wow, what a finish!  But then again, you were probably watching just as I was.  Congratulations to

Jason Dufner for a record breaking score of 270 (lowest winning score in Oak Hill History) to win the 95^th PGA Championship.

As we entered into the weekend there was lots of talk if Phil or Tiger would emerge from the pack with a great Saturday score, or would Henrick Stenson or Jim Furyk be able to pull away and win their first major.  Well, Jason Dufner spoiled everyone’s day with an Oak Hill course record 63 on Saturday and a follow up 68 on Sunday.  I was right behind the 18^th green to watch him leave his 12 foot birdie try short for a 62.  Amazing display of ball striking! 

Sunday Duties:

As I made my way to the courses on Sunday I couldn’t help but wonder who was going to be on the 18^th green with the Wanamaker trophy in about 8 hours.  I was stationed at the 9^th green that afternoon as the leaders made their way through to their final nine holes.  I was responsible for announcing the approaching players to the gallery as they made their way onto the green.  As I watched the players  go through I saw some great birdies on the difficult hole and saw players like Scott Piercy and Boo 

Weekly make birdie and start to make a charge up the leaderboard only to fall back slightly as they finished their final round. 

The ninth hole is a hard uphill dogleg right with a tricky approach and subtly sloping very, very quick green.  Kerry Haigh,  our Chief Championship Officer for the PGA of America even had to slow a few greens down in order to keep the ball on the putting surface.  I would say out of the 2 ½ hours that I watched there were maybe only 3 bogies.  As the leaders approached the galleries  got larger and larger.  Strange to hear some of the expressions that spectators are saying now as soon as a ball is struck, like “MASHED POTATOES”!  OR,  "RUTABEGA".  It kinda drives the players nuts with all the shouting when a ball becomes airborne.  Oh well, I guess they are just having fun!  Upon completion of my duties I retreated to the clubhouse and then to the 18^th green with one of my fellow BOD’s Scott Brandt, PGA as he fulfilled his duties of announcing players approaching the green.

As the leaders approached the 17^th green our PGA Officers and Board of Directors made their way to the back of the 18^th green to watch the final hole.  Once it was evident that Jason was going to be the winner and he tapped in for victory we quickly made our way around the bunkers and onto the putting green for the trophy ceremony.  Just a few quick housekeeping things like checking and signing the scorecard.  Our Officers and Board were positioned directly behind the Wanamaker Trophy and our President, Ted Bishop announced the winner, thanked the fans and Oak Hill for the use of their course.  Jason was a great champion with a heartfelt victory speech.  I think he was still a little in shock that he won a major.

Following the ceremony the Wanamaker Trophy was taken to the bottom of the 18^th fairway so group and individual photos could be taken.  The photo of our Board of Directors is pasted below (some were missing as their either had to leave early or had continued media duties).  We all had the opportunity to shake his hand and congratulate him on being our PGA Champion. 

Following a few quick interviews with Golf Channel everyone was ready and waiting for the Champions Toast inside the Oak Hill Clubhouse.  The champion receives a few nice gifts such as a gold champions money clip, Omega watch, bracelet for his wife and a huge bottle of Moet champagne.  This is a private ceremony where PGA Staff, BOD, Officers and Oak Hill members were invited.  I would guess there was close to 100 or so in the room.  Brief speeches were made by our President, Ted Bishop, PGA along with the Championship Committee and Oak Hill GM.  Jason spoke last and again thanked everyone for a great and memorable week and how much it meant to win at Oak Hills.  I think this was sweet redemption after his 2011 loss to Keegan Bradley in Atlanta.

As all the fans filed out of the gates another championship season comes to a close with the 4^th and final major now completed.  Next year’s championship will be at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.  This is a much closer venue for our Nebraska fans so hopefully you will be able to get tickets and watch some of the best players in the world tee it up.

This was a great week for me and my family and we are so happy that we could attend and be part of the festivities.  This is truly an honor that very few PGA members will ever be able to do and I am so grateful for the opportunity to not only represent Wilderness Ridge but also all the members of the Nebraska Section PGA, the Lincoln community and Nebraska golfers all over.

Thanks for tuning in for my daily updates!!

Chris Thomson, PGA

Director of Golf

Wilderness Ridge Golf Club

PGA National Board of Directors

Champions Gifts

Champions Money Clip

Trophy Ceremony

Board of Directors Picture with the Champ

Announcing on 18 Green

Champion

Champions Toast

18 Grandstand

Media Center

Announcing on Hole 1 with Tiger

18th Hole

PGA Championship Friday

Friday Activities:

As Friday sunrise came so did the rain in Rochester.  A steady warm rain fell for hours on Friday morning making the Oak Hill course a muddy mess for the spectators and a challenge for the competitors.  I had the 12:00 PM – 2:55 PM draw for the first tee duties and I was excited to get going as I had some big name players teeing off. 

The best way to describe the feeling of being a tee announcer is that it is a HUGE adrenaline rush.  I would approximate that there were thousands of spectators both in the stand and crowded hundreds deep around the tee.  CBS came to me early and “miked” me up with a radio so they could talk with me for a few of the bigger name players.  We did some test runs with a few groups and they start by having me give the TV crews a 1 minute warning before we are ready to hit.  To time the TV just right they give me a count down from 10….9….8…until it’s time to announce.  Once the ball hits the ground they give you a countdown from 5 seconds to announce the next player. 

There is a standard way to announce but each announcer may have a slightly different way to start the announcement.  I would start by saying…..”Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the 1:55 starting time; please welcome from Hobe Sound, FL the 1999, 2000, 2006 & 2007 PGA Champion, TIGER WOODS!!  

When I announced this group starting with Davis Love III, then Keegan and finally Tiger the crowd roars got larger and larger until it erupted with Tigers announcement.  You really have to project your voice as loud as possible for all the spectators as they are literally on your left, behind you & on the right in the large grandstand.  What a rush!  Loved it!  Was so honored to be able to have TNT announce my name on national television as the announcer and be able to do this.    

Following my duties at the first tee I shot a brief video for the PGA of America for a National Committee that I chair for marketing and member benefits.  The video will be placed on our website and be an introduction to some new, free marketing materials that we have developed that will assist PGA members in promoting and creating new players to their business.  I have had a great time being able to chair this committee that really has done some great things to help professionals across the country to make their job easier when creating flyers and promotional material for Print, web and email.  One of the things that we are about ready to roll out is a customized weekly newsletter that PGA members can use by inserting their own club information, tournament results, club news, etc along with new weekly content from PGA.com.  You will begin to see this from our golf staff at Wilderness very soon.

Channel 10/11 did a quick remote interview regarding the championship and I did my weekly radio program with 93.7 The Ticket where I talked with Mike Welch about what’s been going on at the Championship. 

Needless to say a very busy day and lots of fun for my entire family as they got to watch some great golf, especially from the 18^th Hole grandstand behind the green.  The 18^th hole very well could decide this tournament just from the sheer difficulty of the hole! 

Oh…..if you didn’t take notice, Jason Dufner lit it up all day and had a putt for a course record 62 on the 18^th hole.  He unfortunately left it about a foot short but the gallery was cheering hard for him to make it.

PGA Championship Wednesday

Wednesday was an exciting day as Jane participated in a program with the PGA Tour Wives Association and helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity.  Wives from the PGA Tour and our Board of Directors along with help from other volunteer builders worked in shifts doing everything from laying sod, painting to building walls, etc.  Jane was part of the internal wall building crew where she worked with others to build and erect internal walls for the home.  She had lots of fun!  The home will be used for a family that has a young son that now has become interested in golf due to this Championship.  The neat thing about this project is that the family doesn’t just get the keys for the home; they need to spend over 420 hours assisting in the building of the project by putting the “sweat equity” into the home.  The family can secure a zero percent interest loan so they pay for the home but with lower payments.  Very neat project and all the women that participated had a blast. 

Distinguished Service Award:

Each year since 1988 the PGA of America recognizes an individual for their outstanding contributions to golf.  Sometimes the award goes to a past professional golfer and other times it goes to someone that has made an impact on the game with other contributions. 

This year the award was given to retired tour player Lee Trevino, PGA.  But before the DSA ceremony everyone was treated to a special concert from Michael Bolton.  Still sings beautifully!

Lee told his story of “rags to riches” so to speak and how he was raised by his mother and grandfather who was a gravedigger.  Lee learned early the value of hard work from his grandfather and entered the service at 17 where he served overseas.  He caddied when he was young but didn’t really play until he reached the service.  He was quick to become good and was a 4 handicapper by the time he left the service.  This is when he got a job working at a golf club and worked towards earning is PGA Membership which he ultimately did.  As he worked as an assistant professional he continued to work hard on his game and become extremely good.  To earn extra money he “hustled” people and said you don’t know pressure until you play $5 per hole and only have $2 in your pocket!

Lee was very emotional about how the PGA of America gave him his first opportunity in life and he has always been very loyal to the association since.  It was one to the most outstanding and emotional speeches I have listened to over the years.  He truly has a passion for the PGA of America.

What a great night!  We were honored to be able to attend.

Thursday:

Day one at the Championship was underway!  What a phenomenal golf course which will ultimately produce a great champion this week. 

When we arrived we all entered the Media Center where my friend Kelly Elbin had us in and took some fun pictures of us at the player interview area.  If you watch the Golf Channel, Kelly is the person that directs the media during the interviews and selects who asks questions.  Kelly is one of our PGA staff members down and Headquarters and has become a good friend over the years.  (See photo below)

The boys both went their way and followed Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson during their rounds.   Jane and I went to the course and sat in the grandstands for a while as we waited for my announcing shift at #18 green.  We saw some great shots and smooth swings over the hours!

A short rain delay slowed things down a bit but play resumed at 5:30 PM and I was at my post at the 18^th green.  As an announcer you are the one that announces to the crowd who is approaching the green.  You may have heard my voice as it was loud and clear on TNT yesterday announcing the group of Mickelson, Kymer and Singh.  What we say in as loud a voice as possible is:  “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome from………..the 2005 PGA Champion, Phil Mickelson!!”  The crowd applauds each player and they acknowledge the crowd.  Kinda fun as the crowd goes NUTS for the major players like Phil and Tiger.

I did this duty from 5:30 PM to literally dark when the last group approached the green.  Players really don’t want to quit early if they don’t have to as this would mean a very early start just to finish one hole or maybe even half a hole.     Left the course about 8:30PM and headed back to the hotel.

Clubhouse Access & Locker Rooms:

What a beautiful clubhouse at Oak Hills!  As part of my duties with the Board of Directors we all have clubhouse access where we can dine, watch the golf or just hang out.  I also have a locker in the players locker room.  Interesting to see players getting ready to play or work with one of the many physical therapists to help get loose and work on sore muscles.  (I have attached some clubhouse photos below)

Friday Duties:

I am on the first tee today at 12PM – 2:45PM announcing players as it is their turn.  I have a great wave of big name players today and am excited to get to the course and get going!  More about today in a later blog!

I hope you all have had a chance to watch the championship so far, if not I hope you can watch over the weekend!

All the best and stay tuned for the next Blog.

Chris

PGA Championship Tuesday

Well, the start to another PGA Championship week has begun!  It all started with a 3:45 am wake up call to make a 5:45 am flight heading to Rochester, NY where the 95th PGA Championship will start on Thursday at Oak Hills Country Club.  This year our two son’s Hayden & Carter made the trip with Jane and me.

The first evening was off to a great start as Jane and I had the great opportunity to attend the PGA Champions Dinner at Oak Hills CC.  The defending champion (Rory McIlroy) hosts a dinner of his choice for the special guests along with some nice speeches from our PGA of America President, Ted Bishop, other past champions and some videos that make your skin tingle.  See photo for menu.

It started with a fantastic Cocktail Hour in the main clubhouse where players, PGA Officers, Board of Directors, Rules Officials and special guests were able to mingle and chat.  I had the opportunity to speak with Keegan Bradley during the cocktail hour while showing him a photo of one of our junior golfers and me with our Boston Red Sox uniforms and hats.  Let me digress for a second……..It is customary for the PGA Champion to give a gift to all attendees at the dinner and last year Keegan gave personalized Boston Red Sox Jersey, cap and baseball to everyone.  (Keegan is a HUGE Boston fan) 

So, I thanked him personally for the gift and showed him this picture of our junior golfer with me in the uniform that he presented to me.  Keegan was a very nice young man and glad to see the picture and talk with me for a minute!  He even brought his mother as his special guest and she was a delight at the dinner table from what I witnessed. 

So, as I go to the bar to get some drinks Tiger, Rory and Martin Kymer were hanging out and just chatting with people.  Very casual and nice to see them so relaxed.

As the evening progressed, Jane and I sat at table 6 (right behind Tigers table) where I sat immediately next to 2001 PGA Champion David Toms.  Wow, was he a terrific gentleman!  We had great conversation about all sorts of things ranging from our kids, golf, Huskers (He know’s Bo), the anchoring issue and much more.  Absolutely delightful evening with short commentaries from two-time champion Dave Stockton and Keegan Bradley.  Other guests at our table were 1977 champion Lanny Wadkins, PGA of America COO Darrell Crall and two PGA of America Presidents Dick Smith and Will Mann and their wives.

Through the entire night I had the opportunity to talk with Phil Mickelson, Lee Trevino, Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington (whom we sat with last year) and just mingle with many other great champions!

Needless to say, the evening was awesome and we are so fortunate to be a part of it and represent Wilderness Ridge and our owners and members.

Wednesday Morning:

This morning was an early up with a PGA Championship Rules Committee meeting that we attend as part of the PGA Board of Directors.  A very interesting hour long meeting that goes through everything from A – Z regarding the championship.  The hour went by like it was a minute!

Following the Rules Meeting I attended a Board of Directors and Past Presidents Breakfast where we heard updates from our President, Ted Bishop and our CEO Pete Bevacqua.  Delicious Eggs Benedict!

Finance Committee:

I have the opportunity to sit on a finance committee for the PGA of America which oversees all the assets and investments of our organization.  Keep in mind, the PGA of America is the largest sports organization in the world!  We have some great investment minded professionals on the committee as well as a few PGA staff and three Board Members (me being one).  I don’t have much to bring in terms of investment knowledge but I do bring lots of common sense.  J  I have learned a tremendous amount about our association as I have been on this committee and look forward to my continued involvement.

More happening tonight but you’ll have to wait till tomorrow to hear the details!