Finally a course where FAIRWAYS matter!

Fairways hit?

As my frequent readers know, I consider this age-old measure of driving accuracy to be the worst of all the traditional golf stats.  I improved upon it by having players categorize the relative severity of their missed fairways.  For more on this see:  Just How Important are "Fairways Hit"?  However, NOT SO at Harbour Town Golf Links!  It is no coincidence that the winner for the last five years has needed to hit them in bunches in order to prevail.  The last five winners have all beaten the Harbour Town field and far surpassed the PGA Tour average (2011 YTD = 61%) in this stat:

1. 2011 Brandt Snedeker - 76.8%,  Field 67%
2. 2010 Jim Furyk - 76.8%, Field 63%
3. 2009 Brian Gay - 83.9%, Field 62%
4. 2008 Boo Weekley - 71.4%, Field 64%
5. 2008 Boo Weekley - 75%, Field 62%

For perspective on how unimportant this stat tends to be, below are a five events this year, on very good golf courses, in which the winner got away with fairways at or just above the 50% range:

1. Redstone GC - 53%
2. Innisbrook - 58%
3. Doral - 58%
4. Riviera - 50%
5. Torrey Pines - 50%

What is it about Harbour Town?

Short by today's standards - at 6,973 yards (Par 71) - its fairways are closely bracketed by forests of towering pine trees.  As if the trunks of these massive trees aren't imposing enough, their canopies loom out over the fairways in the space usually reserved for ball flight.  I have played the course many times, and it is not at all uncommon to be in the fairway and either be blocked or face a shot that must be curved  around tree limbs in order to hit your target green.  Annoying when it happens to you but a big part of the charm of this Pete Dye classic.  This and Dye's famous railroad tie buttressed greens.  Also annoying or charming depending on their influence on YOUR shots.     

That said, it would be a shame to see this 43 year old event dropped for lack of a sponsor.  I was interested to hear Jim Nantz and Sir Nick "begging" for a new sponsor.  While not my area of expertise, I would wager that The Heritage Classic is not alone and that the PGA Tour must be totally re-thinking the terms, cost structure and benefits needed to entice new sponsors.  I don't believe it has anything to do with Tiger fallout but simply the economy and increased scrutiny of client entertainment.  Two important dynamics have changed:  1.  Fewer corporations can justify the outrageous expense and  2.  Even if they can, most of their clients can't be seen accepting the favor of an extravagant golf boondoggle, or justify the time out of the office.  I will be interested to talk to my friends in that end of the business to see where this is going.  As I learn anything worth reporting, I will do so.