It’s Tuesday at Colonial Country Club, a private golf course in Fort Worth, Texas. This is a cozy part of townhomes are grand and beautiful. Trees in the neighborhood are large, lush and well-groomed. The golf course is nicknamed “Hogan’s Alley,” after a local boy done good named Ben. He’s a five-time winner and is immortalized near the pro shop with a 10-foot bronze statue. Not all PGA Tour stops are equal, and this one’s extra special. Its past champions are a group of first ballot hall of famers named Snead, Palmer, Casper, Trevino, Crenshaw, Watson, Mickelson, Price and Nicklaus. The tradition continues, and this year’s field includes 19 of the top 50 players in the world including Spieth, Fowler, Rahm, and Rose. Drama will crescendo and peak on Sunday evening, but first things first – it’s Tuesday.
Packed house on the putting green at Colonial Country Club
It’s shoulder to shoulder on the putting green. Jordan Spieth and Ben Crane have contraptions on the ground which are certain to help them make more putts. Managers, caddies, publicists, swing coaches and others stand proudly like it’s a Broadway stage. They crack jokes and shoot the breeze.
Ben Martin, Andrew Landry and Rickie Fowler on the tee
Threesomes go off the first tee for practice rounds. Charlie Hoffman and Xander Schauffele are playing for a few bucks – others are not. Ben Martin, Andrew Landry, and Rickie Fowler are a few groups back. On the par three third, Rickie Fowler’s caddie Joe Skovron, tells us he has 249 to the hole. Fowler has a four iron, he smokes it and it’s on a good line.
“That’s as good as I can hit it,” Fowler says.
Martin and Landry hit woods, but everyone has a good look at birdie. Everyone’s swinging free on Tuesday.
Don Everett makes his debut as a volunteer at this year’s Fort Worth Invitational
The volunteers are practicing too. Don Everett is a rookie volunteer supervisor on hole No. 6. He’s one of 18 volunteers on the sixth hole alone. They keep fans behind the ropes and hoist “Quiet Y’all” signs. A nice Texas touch. Some of Everett’s friends have volunteered for 15 years. He says there’s rank amongst volunteers and his old hand buddies get their own golf cart. No cart for Everett, but he has a nice shade tree – he’s dang happy.
Autograph sharks are swimming in Cowtown
Tuesdays are like Sunday at the Masters for autograph hawks, which come in all sizes. Some are nervous kids and others are full-grown memorabilia collectors. Most have the official Fort Worth Invitational flag and a fresh Sharpie.
Two-time PGA Tour winner Brian Harman helps a youngster out, “Hey buddy! You mind if I sign your flag?”
Classy move, Mr. Harman.
Evening shade falls on Cowtown and a charity dinner hosted by Jordan Spieth is next on the slate. Tuesday’s serenity is equal to Sunday’s theater – it’s a beautiful brand of peace. Also on Tuesday is hope – everyone has a chance.
Visit: Fort Worth Worth Invitational Website
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