Vincent Publishing - Index

Vincent Publishing - 2008 Wachovia Championship - Index

The Wachovia Championship is certainly well-known for its
treatment of the competitors and their families. But none of that
would be possible without the experienced tournament staff, the
support of the title sponsor, the Quail Hollow Club members and the
patrons, who have turned out in great numbers to witness the world’s
best golfers at a world-class venue.
The Wachovia draws one of the best fields of the year on the PGA TOUR
and it’s Quail Hollow that gets most of their attention – and most of their
raves. Quail Hollow, after a complete renovation by Tom Fazio – perhaps
the greatest living golf course architect – is one of the sternest, fairest and
best all-around tests of golf on TOUR. The layout is classic and the design
features striking. Quail Hollow’s three finishing holes each rank among
the most difficult holes in relation to par on the TOUR in each of the five
years of the tournament’s history.
From the time the players first stepped foot on the course, they were, to
a man, pleasantly surprised and pleased. More than a handful of players
were public in their comments that they believed a major championship
could be conducted at Quail Hollow with a minimum of effort. The golf
course, in their estimation, is that good.
High praise, indeed, from the people with the most discerning tastes. But
that alone won’t assure a successful championship. The tournament staff
has been intact since Day One, including Kym Hougham, the executive
director and Mac Everett, general chairman. In addition, Jan Ivey, Gwen
Mahler, Christine Coman, Paula Burnett, Tony Schuster and Lee Patterson
make up a team that has a combined 100 years experience in conducting
PGA TOUR events and is easily considered one of the best on TOUR.
the history of the PGA TOUR.”
So declared Duke Butler, the TOUR’s former vice
president of tournament affairs when the Wachovia
Championship made its auspicious debut in 2003.
In its five years, the Wachovia has become one of the
most prestigious events on TOUR, one at which
players point each season as one they’d most like to win.
By Mike Purkey
An excerpt from Wachovia Championship—The First Five Years
Photography Courtesy of PGA TOUR/Getty Images
2008 Wachovia Championship Official Event Program 81