The 2009 Travelers Championship is in the books and the PGA Tour has packed up and headed south. Today I'll be sharing my impressions in a couple of quick posts. As a CT native and resident, The Travelers is special to me. It's our state's biggest sporting event and I feel a connection to it that goes back to my childhood when, even as a non-golfer, one week of each summer was subliminally colored by the CT PGA tournament.
This year at TPC River Highlands, the dominant colors were a leaden gray... prominently featured in the cloud-covered sky... and the jungle green of lush vegetation. It's been an extremely rainy June here, and play was interrupted a couple of times when thunder rolled in and the skies opened up. But most of each day was spared. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday actually saw substantial sunshine and the mood seemed to remain upbeat regardless of the wet conditions. I'd even venture to say that the damp conditions and resulting softer course made the golf more entertaining for the spectators, as a barrage of birdies provoked continual cheers.
The galleries were clearly content when the ultra-affable Kenny Perry came out on top. His final round 22-under not only set a tournament record, but was one of the best scores in PGA Tour history... and his four-day total of 258 was the fourth-best score in tour history. I never understood Mr. Perry's appeal before, but I do now. His warmth really resonates in person. I'm a newly minted fan. There was the inevitable scuttlebutt in the media center about the course being too easy. However, many of the players were quick to point out that this is simply a different kind of challenge...one where shot-making skills are tested and consistency is crucial.
In the post-tournament press conference runner-up David Toms, who finished at 19-under in a tie with Paul Goydos, put it this way, “If you look at years past when it got firm and fast with a breeze, the scores weren’t as low as they were this week. I love to play here, and I think that’s why they get a good field. Everybody likes to play here. Bombers like to play it, the short-hitters like to play it. I think it’s a golf course that anyone can do well on.” I'm quite certain most who were watching in Cromwell agreed. Look for additional observations on the Travelers Championship, along with my tournament photo gallery, later today.
We're going to be in CT in October and I'm hoping we'll be able to play golf. Is it normally warm enough then?
ReplyDeleteWithholding the details of your Cromwellian rendezvous with Sergio is downright orwellian.
ReplyDeleteOh well.
I hope I'm not mistaken, but I do believe you have changed your mind about Mr. Mickelson and Mr. Perry in the same month. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Mr. Perry because I have family roots in KY. But the kindness that he extended to my children during last year's practice round at the Memorial Tournament was amazing. More importantly it was genuine. He is an honest to goodness great guy -- and an excellent golfer to boot!
I also love that he isn't 27. Gives the rest of us hope. :o)
The pro golf tour is chock-full of great, truly nice people.
ReplyDeleteThe only real creep in the bunch is that Sergio guy.
I've heard he gets his picture taken with famous bloggers and then sells the pics on the streets, keeping all the profits.
Patricia, I think I saw you on TV, sunday or any other day, where you wearing black?
ReplyDeleteLast year, I don't understand Kenny, I felt like, what the heck are you thinking not going to British Open!?!?!? but now, I understand his mission, he is not playing golf to please other people but to compete and prove to himself, and that is the true essence of golf, isn't it. He gained my respect for going for it despite all the criticism. I wish him all the win he wants before he turns 50!
Thank you for all the inside info!
And I still am giddy for you on the Sergio photo ops! ;)