Go see for yourself
How to enjoy the PGA Tour.
By BOB HARIG
Published March 4, 2007
The PGA Tour's annual trek through Florida always meant a trip to Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville or West Palm Beach for an up-close and personal view of the best golfers in the world.
Well, pocket some of that gas money.
The tour makes a spring stop in the bay area with this week's PODS Championship at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. The tournament, formerly the Chrysler Championship, was one of the fortunate ones, getting a spot in the new condensed FedEx Cup schedule.
There are obvious reasons to check it out. You can, for instance, follow first-timer and one of the game's up-and-comers, Sergio Garcia, or long-hitting, chain-smoking John Daly while he downs Diet Cokes - if injury doesn't force him to withdraw. You'll hear the sweet sound of the club face meeting the ball that only a pro can produce and appreciate all of the intricate shots played to 18 unique holes on the Copperhead course.
But if that's not enough to convince you of TV's shortcomings, check out the rest.
Watch and learn
Spend any time in the bleachers behind the practice area and you'll get a healthy dose of perspective on just how hard these guys work, especially on practice- round days. Some live on the driving range, pounding hundreds of balls. Then they head to the practice bunker - when is the last time you practiced your sand shots? - before a session on the practice green. On tournament days, they warm up before the round and afterward usually head back to the range to iron out any problems.
Autographs
Golf is a particularly good sport for this because fans can get so close to the players, many of whom will sign for extended periods of time. But, to avoid disappointment, it's generally not a good idea to ask for an autograph before a round, and absolutely never a good idea to ask during a round. Players might be more amenable to signing during the pro-am, but to hound them while practicing usually will not be successful. The best place to camp out is near the ninth- and 18-hole scoring trailers. After a player signs his scorecard, his round is official and many players carry Sharpies to aid the autograph process.
High definition
One thing you certainly cannot appreciate at home - unless you have high def - is the undulation on the Copperhead course. This kind of topography is unusual for Florida. Driving along U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor, with all the urban blight in plain view, you would have a hard time imagining that beyond the Innisbrook entrance is a taste of North Carolina. The tall pine trees and hills make it a unique course for this area.
Johnny Miller
The most outspoken analyst in golf makes his first trip to the tournament as part of the NBC-TV broadcast team. You might bump into him while he's checking out the course before he goes on the air. Miller, who was the first to shoot 63 in a major championship when he won the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Pa., does not mince words. As NBC golf producer Tommy Roy said, "There is no filter between Johnny's brain and his mouth."
Exercise
Let's face it, most of us don't get the blood pumping enough. What better way to do that than by walking a golf course? Most recreational golfers don't walk when they play, but you have no choice here.
Creature comforts
The no cell phones, beepers or coolers mandate keeping you away? Afraid you can't survive this back to nature experience without your multisports updates? The Hooters Owl's Nest, near the 10th, 17th and 18th tees, is an air-conditioned oasis complete with bars and TVs. Each spectator receives a small boat of wings, complimentary beer and a visor. Tickets to the Owl's Nest are $59 per person or $99 for two, including a parking pass. And there's the Champions Club, which is located in perfect position to view action at the 18th hole. It's another air-conditioned hospitality tent that serves breakfast and lunch and has a full open bar and plenty of TVs. The cost is $150 per day.
Follow your favorites
TV concentrates on the leaders. So unless your guy is in contention, you'll see only a few select shots. In person, you can follow your favorite through all 18 holes. Arrive early, watch him warm up, get a feel for his routine, see the ebbs and flows of his round.
Camp out at one hole
Okay, so maybe you do have a choice. Pick a spot and let the field come to you. Front-nine holes, in particular, you'll see little of on TV. The par-4 sixth is the toughest on the front side and sitting behind the green, you can watch the best in the world struggle to get the ball close. You'll be surprised how many miss this green.
About the tournament
What: A 72-hole PGA Tour event, the second on the Florida Swing and the 11th of the year.
When/where: Thursday-Sunday; Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor.
Course: Copperhead, par 71, 7,340 yards.
Purse: $5.3-million; $954,000 to the winner.
FedEx Cup points: 25,000; 4,500 to the winner.
Field: 144.
Cut: To the low 70 and ties after 36 holes.
Last year: The tournament was played just 19 weeks ago in October, and South Korea's K.J. Choi won for the second time, shooting 4-under-par 67 in the final round to claim the title by four strokes over Paul Goydos and Brett Wetterich. It was Choi's fourth PGA Tour title.
Proceeds: Academy Prep Center for Education is the tournament's primary beneficiary, but more than 100 area charities also benefit through its Birdies for Charity program.
Schedule: Monday - Pro-Am, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, featuring pros such as Rocco Mediate, Kenny Perry, Chris Couch, Kevin Na, Tim Petrovic, David Branshaw, Bob Heintz and Wes Short. Tuesday - practice rounds. Wednesday - Progress Energy Pro-Am with shotgun starts at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday-Sunday - tournament rounds, with tee times beginning at approximately 7:30 a.m.
Weather: Monday, sunny and 64; Tuesday, sunny and 71; Wednesday, party cloudy and 75; Thursday, partly cloudy and 78; Friday, mostly sunny and 80; Saturday, partly cloudy and 78; Sunday, sunny and 77.
TV: 3-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Golf Channel (with 8:30-11:30 p.m. replay) and 3-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Ch. 8.
Tickets: Monday, free; Tuesday-Wednesday, $20 in advance; Thursday-Friday, $30 in advance ($55 at the gate); Saturday-Sunday, $35 in advance ($60 at the gate). Weekly clubhouse badge, $85. Tickets can be purchased at area Sweetbay stores, online at podschampionship.com or by calling (727) 942-5566.