‘READY TO ROCK’
PGA Tour Player of the Year Scheffler leads tournament field hit by losses to LIV
Despite the past two champions of the Houston Open now playing for LIV Golf, a solid field has been assembled for this year’s tournament.
Scottie Scheffler headlines the 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open, a four-day event which starts Thursday to be played at Memorial Park Golf Course for a third straight year.
Besides Scheffler, the 2021-22 PGA Tour Player of the Year, other notable golfers that will be teeing it off in Houston include Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Russell Henley, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose and Davis Riley.
“There are a lot of spring tournaments that don’t get this type of field,” tournament director Colby Callaway said. “We’re excited they’re coming to Houston.
“Guys like to play a few times in the fall and they’re very picky on which events they play. The don’t want four months off. The appeal of the redesign for these guys has always been intriguing. They know Doak. They know how well he puts together golf courses.”
Architect Tom Doak remade the city golf course in 2019. Other tour players awaiting the challenge of Memorial Park are Jason Day, Stewart Cink, Gary Woodland, Zach Johnson, Beau Hossler and Cameron Champ.
The Astros Golf Foundation has given a sponsor exemption to deserving players with local connections. Houstonians Cole Hammer and Travis Vick were part of Texas’ 2022 NCAA championship team. Walker Lee is a product of Texas A&M. Kyle Westmoreland is a Houston native who turned professional after serving five years in the Air Force.
Among the tournament changes from a year ago is an expansion of hospitality venues as well as enlarging seating areas for numerous holes.
“We’ve tried to tweak things and make it more viewer friendly for those not in hospitality suites,” Giles Kibbe, president of the Astros Golf Foundation, said.
Gneral admission seating has been increased on the 15th hole, a popular spot last year due to its stadium-type atmosphere. There’s also been adding seating on holes 9, 10, around the 18th green, as well as throughout the course.
There have also been improvements behind No. 10 at a fan entrance. That area has been flattened, making it an easier access for fans to go in and out. There also have been bleachers and concessions added behind the 10th hole.
General admission passes are available at houstonopengolf.com
Like many PGA Tour events, on-site parking is limited. There will be shuttles available for the parking lots at Minute Maid Park, and busing is available from the northwest side. For transportation to the course throughout the week of the tournament, fans are encouraged to use ride share. The ride share entrance by the No. 14 tee box has been expanded.
The layout itself has not changed much from last year, but the condition of the course is improved.
“We haven’t done anything on the course,” Kibbe said. “The biggest change the fans will see from a golf course standpoint is the condition of the course, it’s phenomenal.”
Added Callaway: “The golf course has really come around. It’s about as green as I’ve ever seen it. The greens are going to be exceptional. We’re excited to showcase Memorial Park. This place is ready to rock.”
The final four holes are risk-reward. The short par-3 15 hole is nearly entirely enclosed with all the seating. The 16th hole is a reachable par 5 with water fronting the green, as well as water on the left and right side being a factor, should golfers plan for a long second shot. The short par 4 17th hole is difficult, followed by the par-4 No. 18, a bear of a hole.
“I think we have four of the coolest finishing holes on tour, especially with the way we can lay out our hospitality,” Callaway said.
Last year’s weather was difficult on Memorial Park. Following the freeze in February, the greens and surrounds were damaged and never fully recovered. Parker Henry took over as course superintendent at Memorial Park this summer from Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte and brings experience working with a PGA Tour event. He works closely with the PGA Tour agronomy team.
“One of the things that Jim (Crane) always focuses on, is we’ve put a lot of money in this golf course, and we did it in part to have the Houston Open there,” Kibbe said. “But we also did it so that Houstonians get to play a golf course in PGA-Tour condition year around.
“It’s taken a little work, a learning curve for the operations out there, but it is functional very well right now at the golf course and it’s in perfect condition. We’re going to see that on a day-to-day basis from here on out, it’s not just for the tournament.”