- FedExCup Points: 50,000
- Purse: $7.0 million
- Winning Share: $1,260,000
- Yards: 7,415
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
NORTON, Mass. -- A carload of Deutsche Bank Championship volunteers pulled into the parking lot at Gillette Stadium Sunday night only minutes before the throngs made their way into the arena.
The four men in matching blue shirts and hats hopped out of their SUV, popped the hatch and proceeded to change their clothes. Other than a few cat calls from a couple of women in grass skirts, no one seemed to notice. In moments their attire went from golf casual to just plain casual. Hawaiian shirts, shorts and flip-flops replaced their conservative golf togs, and they fit right in.
The night before they changed those same golf shirts in a different parking lot -- putting on Red Sox jerseys -- and the were treated to an absolute gem of a baseball game at Fenway Park. And, of course, they fit right in. Phil Mickelson was there, too, and gushed after the third round about watching Boson's young hurler, Clay Buchholz throw a no-hitter against the Orioles. No word on Phil's attire, but the volunteers gushed about watching Phil, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh play on Friday and Saturday.
On their way into the Jimmy Buffett concert on Sunday night, they didn't realize that Tiger and Phil would be in the penultimate pairing on Monday. Their reaction to the news was sheer delight. Oh, yes, come Monday, it will be alright.
The festive atmosphere that greets the PGA TOUR on Labor Day weekend each year in New England was heightened this week. The traditionally stoic New Englanders seem to smile a little easier, walk a little lighter and hold their heads a little higher. This year their Sox are holding on to the lead in the American League East. The Patriots are favored to win the Super Bowl. And Tiger Woods came to town as their defending champion.
The air around the Deutsche Bank Championship has always been festive. In its brief history, the tournament has already compiled an impressive list of champions. The area's golf fans have responded with an uproarious support. This week, though, it was obvious something even more special was at hand.
Playoff golf was expected to generate a momentum of its own and it has. And taking that excitement to a place already bubbling over with enthusiasm created a feeding frenzy of fun.
There may be a nicer place to be over Labor Day weekend than New England. However, I have never found it. As Buffett would sing, "The Weather is Here ...."
The Deutsche Bank Championship was bathed in moderate sunshine and caressed by light breezes every day. Temperatures in the mid-70s gave way to cool nights. Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer as children and parents alike anticipate the opening of schools and the closing of pools. The weekend represents summer's last gasp -- and what a way to go out.
Labor Day weekend in New England is more than a holiday. It is a celebration of the passing summer and the coming fall. This year that celebration was taken to a new level. From Fenway Park on Saturday night to Gillette Stadium on Sunday night to days filled with some of the best golf of the year anywhere, New Englanders were treated to history, entertainment and competition of the highest order.
The buzz will be carried off by the autumn breeze that kicked up on Monday afternoon. Volunteer uniforms and Hawaiian shirts will take their places in the back of closets. They will hang as reminders of good times awaiting another year.
The TOUR will move on and hope that Chicago reaps the same riches as Boston. As Jimmy sang Sunday night, "wouldn't it be nice to take the weather with you when you go."
