Inside the course: TPC Southwind

Durrance II/PGA TOUR
A scenic shot of the beautiful 11th hole at this week's host course -- the TPC Southwind.
June 04, 2012
PGA TOUR staff
Fast facts
Course superintendent Jim H. Thomas
Original architect Ron Pritchard (1987)
Par value 70
Number of TOUR events as host venue 24 (including 2012)
Course ranking Ranked 9 (out of 51) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2011
Yardage history 7,244 (2009-present)
  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
Player Hole Year
Alex Cejka 4 2010
Billy Mayfair 8 2010
Will MacKenzie 8 2010
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
2011 Rankings
Most Difficult Hole
A slight dogleg to the right off the tee with a large tree on the right side of the fairway that comes into play. The left side of the fairway is lined by spectator mounds.
2011: 0 eagles, 35 birdies, 291 pars, 125 bogeys, 10 double bogeys, 1 other.
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.
2011: 9 eagles, 204 birdies, 218 pars, 26 bogeys, 4 double bogeys and 1 other.
TPC Southwind2011 rankings Last 22 years
Hole Par Yards Avg. Score Rank Avg. Score Rank
1 4 434 4.002 14 4.086 11
2 4 401 3.959 16 3.919 16
3 5 554 4.833 17 4.742 17
4 3 196 3.121 7 3.093 10
5 4 485 4.245 1 4.284 1
6 4 445 4.024 13 3.939 15
7 4 482 4.145 5 4.099 8
8 3 178 3.076 10 2.994 13
9 4 457 4.082 9 4.108 5
10 4 465 4.117 8 4.101 7
11 3 157 3.076 10 3.099 9
12 4 406 4.147 4 4.102 6
13 4 472 4.052 12 4.002 12
14 3 239 3.154 3 3.268 2
15 4 395 3.991 15 3.956 14
16 5 530 4.6 18 4.589 18
17 4 490 4.229 2 4.194 3
18 4 453 4.134 6 4.176 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

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