Local Knowledge: Atunyote and the Turning Stone Resort Championship (PGA.com)
September 30, 2009
With the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup in the books for 2009, the Fall Series begins this week in Verona, N.Y. at the Turning Stone Resort. The players will be challenged on the resort's Atunyote course. Five 2009 champions will be there, helping to fill out a strong field. Before the tournament tees off on Thursday morning, Turning Stone PGA Head Professional Miles Blundell took time for a little Q&A with PGA.com to talk about what is sure to be an exciting week.
PGA.com: Tell us about the excitement level up in Verona with the PGA Tour in town this week for the Turning Stone Resort Championship.
Blundell: It's incredible right now. The fall weather we have is just beautiful and the course is in absolutely unbelievable shape. After the excitement of last week with the dramatic finish to the FedExCup, we're excited to carry that momentum as the first event of the Fall Series and we know we have a great field. We were lucky enough to have Tiger here about a month and a half ago for an event hosted by Notah Begay and I think that created a lot of buzz amongst the players on Tour.
PGA.com: Atunyote is such a beautiful course to look at. It's just one that really catches your eye and leaves an impression. Can you tell our readers a little about what makes Atunyote so special?
Blundell: It's a beautiful place and the conditioning is second to none. From a number of rounds standpoint, we don't do a lot. In fact, last year we only did 4,200 rounds and that allows us to provide an unbelievable golf experience for our guests. The greens are always perfect, just like the rest of the course. With a lower number of rounds played we are able to provide a first-class experience. We have our caddies meet guests' right at the curb; we take them through the clubhouse and the locker room. The tee times are spaced out 15 minutes apart, which means that most of the time when you play, you feel like you're in the only group on the course.
PGA.com: From what I understand, this will be your first Turning Stone Resort Championship in your role there as Head Professional. But, you're not new to being the host professional at a Tour event. You used to work at Nemacolin, which was home to the old 84 Lumber Classic. Is there any one thing that you remember experiencing during that time at Nemacolin that you're most looking forward to experiencing again this week at Atunyote?
Blundell: The thing I'm most looking forward to is the player reaction to the facility. While Nemacolin and Turning Stone are two completely different resorts, there are also a lot of similarities since they're both first-class operations. Seeing how the players react and seeing how the facilities compare—I'm looking forward to getting that feedback from the players. Atunyote is a Fazio course, while Nemacolin was a Dye course. They're both really good. Aside from the feedback, I can't wait to experience the thrill of the leaders coming up the 18th fairway on Sunday afternoon and watching some good golf. This is a neat place.
PGA.com: With the Playoffs now over, you guys were still able to draw a strong field of players, including five guys who have won this season. Is that a testament to the course and the tournament that rather than shutting it down, these guys are up in Verona to play your event?
Blundell: I think that the buzz with the Tour players and Atunyote speaks for itself. The guys rave about the greens and the strength of field we have is outstanding. I was really surprised to see some great names in the Monday qualifier—Lee janzen among them—and guys like Tag Ridings, who I thought for sure would be automatically qualified for the event. At that Monday qualifier we had one 69 and four players that shot 70 and there was a four-way playoff for three spots. It was an exciting way to kick off the week and I know it's only going to get better.
PGA.com: This time of year it can be quite cool up north. I think I remember seeing snowflakes at Turning Stone a few years ago. What kind of weather are you anticipating and could that have a significant impact on the outcome?
Blundell: The weather forecast… I just looked and luckily we're not anticipating any showers. The temperatures won't be as warm as we might like, but that's what Fall is all about. It will be mild with some sun. I think it will play a big role in the outcome for sure, because the windbreakers will be out—especially in the mornings—and the guys will be dressing a lot warmer than they're used to.
One of the many cool things about Turning Stone is our indoor, climate-controlled golf dome. In fact, there are about a dozen or so players practicing in there right now. It's comfortable and different, which I think they like. They can practice later and not worry about getting cold… Yet.
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Comments
Got something to say?
