Not every day do you find yourself standing on the tee box at Quail Hollow Club.
I was one of a handful of reporters and other Charlotte media to do just that. PGA of America hosted reporters on Feb. 25 in preparation for May’s PGA Championship, which will be played at Quail Hollow. The course hosts a PGA Tour event every year, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship, which is now the Truist Championship after a change in naming rights. Since the PGA Championship is here May 15-18, the Truist Championship will be played in Philadelphia.
We will do the reporting thing in May. This is about my experience at Quail Hollow.
Media members were able to choose an activity after interviews with Johnny Harris (Quail Hollow’s president), Derek Sprauge (PGA of America CEO) and Gary Williams (Golf Channel commentator). The choices were to play five holes of the course or some mini games in the learning center.
As an avid golfer since I was 11 years old and a current 3.7 handicap, I chose to play holes 13 through 17. It didn’t really hit me ‘til my group got to the 13th tee box that I was fortunate enough to do something that most lifelong golfers probably haven’t. I won’t lie; I was a bit nervous.
But I focused in and hit my shot on the short par 3 right up on the green and from there it was smooth sailing. What didn’t change was the sheer admiration of each hole and its uniqueness. Appreciating the challenge of each hole and knowing that I was playing on the same course that some of the best golfers in the world play on is something that is tough to describe.
Others in my group were also left speechless of the beauty of the course and despite playing well, we all hit some shots that the course likely won’t see come May. It was a great day filled with great company, but there was one shot that I won’t soon forget.
As I stood on the Par 3, 17th hole, intimidation would be the best word to describe this hole. Let me walk you through it. The hole from the tee boxes my group played was 188 yards to the hole.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
The hole is surrounded by water to the left and short, so top tier accuracy is a must.
I got rid of the small boulder in my throat and hit my shot. One of the best-struck shots I have ever hit. My ball ended up 14 feet, 8 inches from the hole. As we drove carts up to the green, it hit me. I just did something that some professionals — at times — have trouble doing.
Knowing I was able to do something pros do and playing the same course that a major championship will be played on had me on Cloud Nine the remainder of the day.
Cameron Williams is a reporter at The Post.
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