The 2017 Majors Venues

As the snow descends on the ground here in DC, it's time to think about the golf season ahead and in particular the four major championships. There are a couple of new venues in the mix with Erin Hills in Wisconsin and Quail Hollow in North Carolina.

April 6-9

The Masters, Augusta National, GA

There really is nothing left to say about ANGC that hasn't been said, although the press will try hard as they do each year - it's their job after all! The traditional golf season opener is always magical on one of the greatest venues on the world's stage.

June 15-18

U.S. Open, Erin Hills, WI

I played Erin Hills when it was new a few years ago and at the time if you had told me it was going to host a U.S. Open in future, I would have asked you for a drug test! In the ensuing years, it has undergone a renovation and looks ready for its big test. 

July 20-23

The Open Championship, Royal Birkdale, Southport, England

One of the great links golf courses in the world and the site of Padraig Harrington's 2008 victory. Birkdale is in an area of outstanding golf in the north west of the UK. It's neighbors include Southport and Ainsdale, Hoylake, Formby, Royal Lytham, Wallesey and more.

August 17-20

USPGA, Quail Hollow Club, NC

Built in 1961 by George Cobb, but somehow it looks more modern, due to modifications by Arnold Palmer and then Tom Fazio's redesign in 1997. You'll be familiar with the club from the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour. 

A Walk Around Augusta National

I had the good fortune to play Augusta National and here are some photographs taken last year of the golf course. Enjoy The Masters Tournament.

What a view!

From the 1st Tee

 The approach to the 3rd from the right side

 The 6th tee (front left pin)

6th green (looking back up the hill)

The 7th is called Pampas

7th green from the 8th tee

Approach to the 7th

Approach to the 11th

Hogan Bridge and 12th green

Tee shot on the 14th

Looking back from 16th green

 The mowers were following us on the 17th

 It's a tight tee shot the 18th!

 And it's over all too fast - walking up the 18th

 A great place for an Arnold Palmer!

Phil, Masters Champ and Masters Fan

The opportunity to see "The Big 3" tee off was just too great to miss and along with thousands of other golf fans, 3 time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson was there. Not only did he get to experience The King, The Golden Bear and The Black Knight hit their tee shots, but once again Phil proved that he is the people's champ...and the Master when it comes to PR. No other green coated players showed up and it was fully 6 hours before Phil teed it up, so he really made the effort and it didn't go unnoticed by the patrons or the members. Good on you Phil!

T minus 6 days to The Masters and a European victory

The anticipation is probably greater this year than for any Masters Tournament in a decade. The leading lights are all playing well and this year's PGA Tour has had many great finishes by a very strong contingent all looking to make their mark.

The resurgent Woods is the Vegas and British bookies favorite, followed closely by Phil, Rory, Lee, Luke and Justin. It's hard to see past that posse of first names, although we'll try. How about Charl to defend?,  Bubba to focus for all 72 holes?, Webb to hit a shot within the allotted 2 minutes?.  That said we still like the European players to challenge and ultimately prevail. The last European winner was Jose-Maria Olazabal in 1999 and it's time for another to step up and Charl to hand over the jacket.

On the golf course front, it will be in its usual perfect condition and you can expect to hear about the changes to the front of the 8th green and back of the 16th green. It's tough to tell from the picture above, but the back right quadrant of the 16th seems to have been flattened out giving enough room for a pin back there. I'm not saying its easy! - this remains one of the easiest 3 putts out there - I can testify to that!