The continued diminution of The Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links

Tuesday April 21, 2009 | 12:05:05 pm 192 words, 7460 views

What do these two groups of golfers have in common?

Group One: Palmer-Nicklaus—Irwin—Miller—Watson—Norman—Stewart-Faldo.

Group Two: Loren Roberts-Stewart Cink-Glen Day-Jose Coceres-Aaron Baddeley-Peter Lonard-Boo Weekley-Brian Gay

It might be more obvious as to what they don’t have in common. The former are all (or will be) Hall-of-Fame members, who are among the most accomplished players in history, and have combined for almost 50 Major championships.

The latter group is a bunch of journeymen pros, zero Majors between them. But they are all connected by victory at Hilton Head - each has been crowned champion of the Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Up until 15-odd years ago, the roster of champions at this Invitational was like a “Who’s Who” of the game - almost everyone who won here was a “name” player. Yes, in addition to those listed above, Davis Love III has won here five times, as has two-time Masters champ Bernhard Langer, and three-time Major champ Nick Price, and former British Open champ Justin Leonard. But lately (the last decade anyway) Harbour Town’s formerly prestigious championship legacy has gone from the aforementioned “Who’s Who” to more of a “Who’s He?”

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Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]

Faldo gave a clue to this mystery when he said of one par four that they used to hit 3 or 4 iron into the green and now they're hitting 8 or 9 iron. On top of that, Harbour Town has become such a precision course from the overgrown trees that hardly any of the big-hitting "names" are playing in it any more. When the announcers tell you that the course is perfectly suited for Brian freakin' Gay, you know something is askew.

Permalink 04/21/09 @ 12:37

Comment from: David Doubilet [Visitor]

I have attended the last two Heritage opens. While certain of the big names have not participated, the players who did are all highly skilled and displayed it. Brian Gay is a highly talented player and recognized as such by his peers. Jim Furyk did not make the cut. Olazabel has won 2 Masters. Todd Hamilton won the British Open. Shan Micheel won a major. Rory McIlroy, whom I followed for 54 holes,at 19 is ranked 17th and well on his way to at least top 10. Boo Weekly was on the Ryder Cup team. Ernie Els played. There were little known players like Jason Dufner who played extremely well.There is not a lot wrong with the course. Ifollowed the plat closely and saw interesting and different club selections for the same hole. The course lends itself to working the ball a lot. There was also a great deal of skill in chipping on display. The bottom line is that the players were highly talented even if they lacked a few "big names". It is not necessary to belittle a tournament because a few big names did not play.

Permalink 04/22/09 @ 22:29

Comment from: John Binner [Visitor] · http://www.binnerfamily.org

Maybe we should be examining WHY the "big name" golfers are scared if the course is "so easy." The problem is, the gigantic swings of the "major" golfers cannot compete in a more skillful, precise course. Maybe we should be asking WHY they are so scared to come here and lose?

Truth is, we saw some VERY GOOD golf, by very skilled players. Anyone can kill a ball and hit it long. It takes skill to play the short game.

Permalink 04/23/09 @ 08:26

Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]

If you are using the term "journeyman" to denote not yet a "Master" then I must agree with you regarding recent winners. However, I was surprised at the derogatory tone of your article. Sounded as though it was written by a celebrity groupie rather than a "respected" golf writer.

I agree with David that it is not necessary to belittle a tournament because a few big names did not play.

Permalink 04/23/09 @ 10:07

Comment from: Joel Zuckerman [Visitor] · http://www.vagabondgolfer.com

Thank you for all your comments. I stand by my orignal remarks--for whatever reason, the majority of marquee golfers have taken The Heritage off of their "to-do" list. With a smaller pool of Big Name players, of course the odds of a Big Name player emerging as the winner are reduced. This isn't belittling the tournament or its participants---it remains a prestige event, and anyone who tees it up on tournament week can really golf their ball.

That said, the roster of champions in recent years is barely a shadow of what it once was---an immutable fact.

Permalink 04/23/09 @ 11:38

Comment from: Adam [Visitor]

It's been played at a bad time.

Permalink 04/24/09 @ 10:46

Comment from: Critical Thinker [Visitor]

Joel who?

Permalink 04/29/09 @ 12:39

Comment from: jaypee [Visitor]

The same can be said about all tournaments on tour which are not majors (4), Bay Hill, Memorial, TPC, WGC, and a few others which amounts to about 15 events. The top 25 do not play in other events. The Tour is facing the same problem as tennis a few years ago, when they had to force players to participate in a number of 'top' events. Tune in on any sunday afternoon and call me if you stay awake for more than 20 minutes.

Permalink 04/29/09 @ 15:36

The Vagabond Golfer

by Joel Zuckerman

Joel Zuckerman, a.k.a. the Vagabond Golfer , has been called "one of the most respected and sought-after golf writers in the Southeast" by Golfer's Guide Magazine. His golf stories have appeared in more than 100 publications and his books include "Golf in the Lowcountry," "Golf Charms of Charleston," "Misfits on the Links," "A Hacker's Humiliations" and his latest, "Pete Dye Golf Courses - 50 Years of Visionary Design." The Dye family selected Joel to write the book and it was honored as the 2008 Book of the Year by the International Network of Golf. Visit www.vagabondgolfer.com for more information.