Nobody’s left out on Lefty’s course
Calgary layout has the ‘average guy’ in mind
Decked out in black slacks, a purple golf shirt complete with two sponsor logos and his ohso-familiar KPMG hat, Phil Mickelson looked like he was ready for the first tee — except, of course, for his footwear.
The 47-year-old was in Calgary over the weekend to check on the progress of his design project at Mickelson National Golf Club, arriving for a meet-andgreet with media and members in a pair of grey work boots that were caked in mud from a tour of several soon-to-be-grassed holes.
He’s passionate about leaving his fingerprints — and boot treads — all over the 18-hole private setup, the showpiece of a property development deep into Calgary’s west end.
“This is a lot of pressure, to have my name on it,” Mickelson said, “and that’s why I want it to be done right.”
Mickelson’s day job keeps him pretty busy. He’s still questing to add to a resume that includes five major titles and 42 triumphs on the PGA Tour.
But the World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has also been keeping close tabs on the construction at Mickelson National, swapping sketches with Rick Smith, his design associate and former coach.
The course is slated to open in 2019.
“I have a member in San Diego who joined, bought a place and is moving up here, so the word is starting to get around,” Mickelson said. “It’s a special place.”
It’s no secret the folks behind Mickelson National are hoping to one day host the RBC Canadian Open, but during a chat with reporters on Canada Day, the three-time Masters champion stressed his focus is not just on challenging his pals on the PGA Tour.
He repeatedly mentioned “the average guy,” and said Mickelson National will have separate tee decks at 50, 100 and 150 yards from each green for junior golfers. “Nothing melts me more than seeing kids carry their bag down the fairway,” he said.
Mickelson said the most important thing is that “the average player, the highhandicapper, says, ‘I really enjoyed the day.’ ”
“What I can’t stand is for the average player to hit a ball in a bunker and not be able to get out, to take three or four or five swings at it and then pick up,” Mickelson added. “I want them to be able to finish every hole here.”