Revisiting Hotlanta
[Me]: Has it really been 10 years since the PGA Tour has been to Atlanta Athletic Club?
[Wikipedia]: Yes.
It’s been a while, AAC. The golf world is a vastly different, unpredictable entity. Truths we knew then, we certainly don’t know now. Tiger Woods used to win tournaments back then. Phil Mickelson tried to. Sergio Garcia was relevant and still somewhat a sensation. The present and future of golf was solely on the still-gangly shoulders of a 25-year-old. Now, a slew of contenders lay stake at the throne. Anybody can win this week. And I mean anybody. Grant Waite could probably win as the 79th alternate.
Flash back to 2001. I have fond memories of being stationed at my shore house in Stone Harbor, N.J. Rooting vehemently against Woods–just because he won too much. Admit it, you probably did too. Hey, it worked, he finished T-29.
The tournament itself played out exactly how it should have. The right man won, the right man lost. The course layout might have been a bit forgiving, but left plenty of theatrics. If you followed as closely as I did, you’ll remember we learned to say “Shingo” and that sometimes, it’s OK not to be Tin Cup. You can have balls and not go for the “ultimate score”.
The final stretch is built to encourage dramatic finishes. The par-3 15th, played host to David Toms’ ace during the third round in 2001. It’s difficulty literally helped Toms pick up 2-3 shots on the field. The 5-wood he hit might have careened over the green if it didn’t hit the stick. Having another par-3 two holes later on No. 17 is extremely unique. You need to be a crafty iron player to navigate this one. Finally, No. 18 is undulated to perfection. The right side slopes the fairway left, and water is definitely waiting for you on the left. Players today will have to cede distance for accuracy. The approach shot taunts you, laughs at you, and implores at you. At 507 yards, it’s a challenge to get the shot close. Toms, famously laid up, and stuck a chip and putt to win by one shot. The steadfast veteran (at age 34), deserved the win. Toms is like dozens of solid tour players who rarely ice up the “big one”. They’ll win the Zurich Classic’s and wind up with a couple big pay days, but that’s about it. A tremendous short game, and Lefty’s passion for runner-ups at the time helped seal the deal. Mickelson played the “Everybody’s Favorite Loser” card well into 2004, when he finally broke through at Augusta. But, without these agonizing near-misses and 11th hour collapses he wouldn’t have evolved into the player he is today. He’s morphed into “Everybody’s Favorite Winner”/”All-American Family Man”/”The Damn Math and Science Guy Who is In All Those Freaking Commercials During Major Championships”. All the heartache made for a pretty good storybook ending.
AAC, let’s do it all over again in 2011.
[AAC]: Just make sure you bring that Dustin guy.
GoFer Eats 