Inside the course: TPC Southwind

text size

Durrance II/PGA TOUR

A scenic shot of the beautiful 11th hole at this week's host course -- the TPC Southwind.

Jun. 8, 2009

The TOUR will be in Memphis, Tenn., this week for the St. Jude Classic. Learn more about the host, TPC Southwind.

Fast facts

Course superintendent	Jim H. Thomas
Original architect	Ron Pritchard (1987)
Par value	70
Number of TOUR events as host venue	21 (including 2009)
Course ranking	Ranked 4 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008
Yardage history	7,244 (2009)
	7,239 (2007-'08)
	7,244 (2005-'06)
	7,103 (2004)
	7,030 (2003)
	7,006 (2002)
	7,030 (2000-'01)
	7,006 (1989-'99)
Grass	Zoysiagrass (tees, fairways); Bermudagrass (greens, rough)
Tournament Stimpmeter	11.5-12 ft
Sand bunkers	94
Water hazards	10
Course tour	Click here

Course record

Player
Jay Delsing
Bob Estes

Year
1993
2001

Round
4th
1st

Finish
T8
Won

Holes-in-one

There have been 13 aces recorded at TPC Southwind

Player	Hole	Year
Jim Carter	8	2004
Michael Allen	4	2004
David Peoples	8	2003
Joel Kribel	11	2003
Willie Wood	4	2003
Bob Estes	14	2002
Joe Ogilvie	8	2001
Ted Tryba	8	1998
Kevin Wentworth	4	1998
David Berganio Jr.	11	1997
Kawika Cotner	4	1995
Gil Morgan	4	1992
Lanny Wadkins	4	1991
Dillard Pruitt	4	1990

2008 Rankings

Most Difficult Hole

	A short dogleg to the right with water that extends down the entire right side. Fairway bunkers on the left side of the hole come into play off the tee. A good driving hole. 2008: 0 eagles, 45 birdies, 252 pars, 93 bogeys, 45 double bogeys, 18 others.
Easiest Hole
	An uphill par 5 that is reachable in two. The green is small and well guarded with bunkers. Could be the hole that decides the championship because a birdie (or better) is likely. 2008: 11 eagles, 206 birdies, 185 pars, 42 bogeys, 8 double bogeys and 1 other.

TPC Southwind			2008 rankings		Last 19 years
Hole	Par	Yards	Avg. Score	Rank	Avg. Score	Rank
1	4	434	4.287	4	4.106	11
2	4	401	3.998	16	3.954	16
3	5	554	4.801	17	4.757	17
4	3	196	3.199	8	3.146	7
5	4	485	4.349	2	4.321	1
6	4	445	4	15	3.963	15
7	4	482	4.172	10	4.107	10
8	3	178	3.179	9	3.019	13
9	4	457	4.079	14	4.138	8
10	4	465	4.132	11	4.120	9
11	3	157	3.311	3	3.182	5
12	4	406	4.45	1	4.174	6
13	4	472	4.099	13	4.025	12
14	3	239	3.265	5	3.290	2
15	4	395	4.119	12	3.989	14
16	5	530	4.631	18	4.580	18
17	4	490	4.232	6	4.220	3
18	4	453	4.23	7	4.203	4

Course origins

After the 2004 St. Jude Classic, TPC Southwind closed to undergo an extensive golf course and clubhouse renovation. On the course, all the greens were reconstructed, and turf was changed from bentgrass to Champion Bermudagrass. Many of the fairways were narrowed and recontoured. The fifth hole was changed from a par 5 to a par 4. The par-3 eighth was completely reconstructed.

During the renovation, there were 11 new tees added, 15 new bunkers, three new bridges constructed, three ponds enlarged, four creeks stabilized and over 125 trees planted on the course. In an effort to increase the environmental impact positively, 19 acres of native grass were added to the rough. Overall, the course yardage increased 200-plus yards and now plays as a par 70 for tournament play.

The par-3 11th is considered to be a smaller version of the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass but with its own uniqueness. The 165-yard hole requires a short iron over water to a small island green. Prior to being a golf course, the property was a dairy farm with two grain silos and a windmill, which are still existing on the property. --Source: Golf Course Superintendents Assocation of America

Tournament course history

Course	Location	Years
TPC Southwind	Germantown, Tenn.	1989-present
Colonial Country Club	Cordova, Tenn.	1958-'88

This week's Kodak Challenge hole

HOLE: The par-3, 239-yard 14th at TPC Southwind
LAST YEAR: The 14th played to a stroke average of 3.265, with players recording 0 aces, 36 birdies, 291 pars, 99 bogeys, 25 double bogeys and 2 others.
DESCRIPTION: This hole requires a long iron or wood tee shot. An elevated tee and a full carry over water to a severely undulated green is hard enough, but it's also protected by water on its entire right side. In short, it's a very difficult par 3, set among a natural amphitheater. (Click here for TPC Southwind tour)