Local Knowledge: Harbour Town and the Verizon Heritage (PGA.com)
April 14, 2010
Brian Gay is the defending champion at the Verizon Heritage. (Lecka/Getty Images)
There’s nothing like a relaxing, paid vacation after a stressful week in the office, is there? To an extent, that’s what the PGA Tour has this week at the Verizon Heritage. One week after an exhilarating, intense Masters, the Tour travels to Hilton Head, S.C., for a laid back, family friendly week at Sea Pines Resort and Harbour Town Golf Links, as PGA Head Professional John Farrell explains. Don’t be fooled by the atmosphere, however. There’s still plenty on the line.
PGA.com: Thanks for joining us, John. After a pressure-cooker like the Masters, players often rave about how much they love going to Hilton Head. What is it about the island that attracts the players?
Farrell: Most notably the players have a love affair with the course and the entire Sea Pines Resort is unique for their families. It’s not a metropolis, where, you know, you forget something at the hotel and you’re stuck in traffic trying to get back. This is a place that’s extremely family friendly.
You’ll see guys out with their families all week enjoying the resort, whether they’re biking, fishing, walking around, enjoying great meals… This is the ultimate family-style event. The players get to enjoy that for the week and those of us lucky enough to live here get to enjoy that all year.
PGA.com: Tell us a little about what makes Harbour Town such a special venue. It’s been a staple on Tour for so many years.
Farrell: I talked to players about that this morning. We’re searching for a title sponsor now and they’re anxious to know if we’ve had success, because they don’t want the tournament to go away. There’s no other course like it on tour because of the shot-making that’s required. Harbour Town is a very cerebral course. It’s not about brawn. No one will overpower this course and it requires the use of every club in the bag.
PGA.com: As usual, the Heritage has a phenomenal field—including the likes of Stewart Cink, Ian Poulter, Davis Love III, Lucas Glover and others—especially considering it’s the week after the Masters. What are your thoughts on the field?
Farrell: It’s one of the strongest we’ve had in an awfully long time. Ian Poulter has been playing great. We’ve got young Rickie Fowler, who has come onto the Tour guns ablazin’. Sergio Garcia is back for the first time in a long time. Our past champions like Stewart Cink and Davis Love III are back, as well as our defending champion, Brian Gay. We have some real loyalists. Guys don’t miss the event because of the course and the feel of the resort. So, to answer your question, we’re delighted with field.
Oh yeah, and Camilo Villegas is here, too. The field is real strong.
PGA.com: What’s it like having one of the best gigs in golf as the PGA Head Professional at Harbour Town?
Farrell: It’s one of those things where you pinch yourself every morning when you wake up. You never roll your eyes and say, “Oh, man, I’ve got to go to work.”
I’ve been here 20 years and it’s always a treat. Every day I look forward to going to work and I know there aren’t a lot of people who can say that. This is a special place.
PGA.com: What is it about tournament week that you most look forward to?
Farrell: Without question it’s the people. Over the years you build relationships with everyone and it’s not just the players. It’s the officials, the vendors, the department heads, the merchandise partners and the volunteers. Seeing them during tournament week is what’s most enjoyable to me. It’s a chance to get reacquainted with everyone.
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