Local Knowledge: Doral Resort & Spa and the WGC-Ca Championship (PGA.com)
March 10, 2010
Phil Mickelson edged out Nick Watney at Doral in 2009. (Martin/Getty Images)
After a slow start to the season, Phil Mickelson has a chance to change his fortune around this week as he defends his title in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral. The Blue Monster is known for its dramatic finishes. What’s in store this week? Doral PGA Head Professional Marc Barcelo shares some perspective.
PGA.com: Aside from the fact that the CA Championship is a World Golf Championships event, what is it about Doral that brings out the stars year in and year out? Even before the Doral event officially became a WGC, its field was always one of the best non-major fields of the year.
Barcelo: I would have to say probably the fact that it’s in the city of Miami. It’s a very diverse city, there’s a lot of culture and a lot to do. There are beautiful—and famous—beaches, a great night life and plenty of family entertainment. A lot of guys bring their families. All those factors combined with perfect weather and a sweet $8.5 million purse all make for a pretty nice reason to come here to play.
PGA.com: Over the years there have been incredible finishes at Doral. Just off the top of my head, I can think of Craig Parry holing out from the fairway for eagle on the first playoff hole to defeat Scott Verplank; Tiger narrowly outdueling Phil Mickelson; and just last year, a great battle between Phil and Nick Watney, where Phil just barely snuck away with the victory. What is it about Doral that makes for such a drama-filled finish?
Barcelo: Probably because there are a lot of birdies to be had out there. There’s a good combination of hard holes and easy holes. It’s who can make the most birdies. At Doral there’s no demand on one specific part of the game. You don’t need to be long and you can spray it a bit without much penalty. It’s a shoot out down to the end. No. 18 is a great par-4 finishing hole and can provide a lot of drama, which, as you’ve pointed out, we see quite often here.
PGA.com: What’s your most memorable experience thus far as the Head Professional at Doral? Is it something you’ve done personally, or something you’ve seen?
Barcelo: The most memorable experience for me, or the thing I most look forward to, is being part of a tour event. Not a lot of professionals can say they’ve been able to run a tour event. Being able to manage the player clubhouse during the CA Championship is a big notch on my belt. I get to see those guys up close day in and day out during the tournament and talk with them and be a part of that whole atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun.
PGA.com: This year, Tiger Woods will not be making it to Doral. Does that in any way impact the quality of the tournament in your eyes?
Barcelo: In my eyes, no, it won’t impact the quality of the tournament. That’s because you’ve got the next 67 best players in the world here. The best 67 in the world minus one isn’t that big of a deal to me. As far as impact of the tournament and in the fans eyes, it’s a different story for sure. It’s going to affect ticket sales—it has affected ticket sales. However, we still have one of the best fields in golf and because of that I don’t think it takes away from quality of tournament at all.
PGA.com: If someone is attending the CA Championship for the first time, where’s one spot on the course you would tell them not to miss?
Barcelo: The driving range. Seeing guys hit balls and seeing how they prepare, their routine, it’s pretty cool. If you’re going to be in any one spot, that’s what I’d say. I’d sit at the range, especially as a golf enthusiast. It’s a treat to watch how those guys hit balls to targets so consistently and see how they control each club. Watching how they rehearse and applying it to your game can be very beneficial to anyone who loves to play.
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