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Ready to Go: Haas loves challenge of Quail Hollow
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Published: April 27, 2009
Updated: 04/27/2009 10:00 am
Bill Haas didn't play last week in New Orleans. Instead he took a trip from his Greenville, S.C., home to Quail Hollow for a practice round.
The plan last week was to rest up, practice a little bit, and also get in a round at Quail Hollow when it's less hectic.
"It's playing perfect," Haas said about the course where the Quail Hollow Championship will begin on Thursday. "It's playing fast and firm, just the way they like it, and I think with the weather we are supposed to have it's going to be a great week."
It was last year in Charlotte when Haas was frustrated with his game, even joking that he might quit and take up cooking and become a chef. While some might have thought Haas was serious, he was just letting off a little steam while showing off his sarcastic side.
As it turned out Haas, a former star at Wake Forest, regrouped later in the summer and wound up winning just more than $1 million in 2008 for his best season as a pro. It also secured his PGA Tour card for this season.
As this season began, Haas -- 27 and in his fourth full year on the PGA Tour -- tied for ninth in Hawaii and followed that up with a tie for 11th at the Buick Invitational in San Diego. He later tied for 25th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
In his 11 starts this season he has made five cuts and is 92nd on the FedEx Cup points list.
Haas, who was born in Charlotte, loves the challenge of Quail Hollow and says he is ready for a good week. His father, Jay, used to be a member at Quail Hollow, and Bill was hoping that Jay would take time out from the Champions Tour to play this week.
"I actually sent him a text saying he should try to get in, but he didn't answer me," Haas said.
Haas says that in his four years on tour, which spans 121 career tournaments where he has made $3.6 million, he has learned that it all comes down to one thing -- making putts. When he has a hot putter he usually has a good week.
"I don't make cuts on a weekly basis like some guys, so I have to keep working," Haas said.
Haas is 15th on the tour in driving distance (295.8), but 96th in putting average.
"I've been kind of struggling of late, but I'm trying to right the ship and I'm hitting it very good," he said. "These will be fast greens and I like that. Not only are they fast, they are in perfect condition."
One thing that Haas will lean on is his experience at Quail Hollow. While he failed to make the cut the last two years, he tied for fourth in 2006 for one of his best finishes in his rookie year on the PGA Tour.
"Yeah, that was a great week," Haas said, "so that's doable again if I can play four solid rounds because that's what it's going to take."
Play Golf America Day
Reynolds Park will have a Play Golf America Day on Saturday to help promote the game.
The program allows anybody to get a free 10-minute golf lesson from a professional. The hope is to get more people hooked on the game.
"It's a way to maybe get some new golfers out and playing," said Mark Hartis, a pro at Reynolds Park. "We'll have pros here all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. working in shifts out on the range."
There will also be free coupons along with a goody bag for the first 300 participants.
Hartis also said that a representative from Cobra will be out there to give golfers a chance to test the company's clubs.
"I think it's a great idea because anybody who has thought about playing can come out and see if they like it," Hartis said.
For more information call Hartis or Harold Kincaid at 650-7660.
Around the green
Drew Weaver, a senior at Virginia Tech, was emotional after his final round at the ACC Championships earlier this month. Weaver, who is from High Point, wanted badly to win a college tournament before graduating, but wound up fourth. "I gave it all I had," he said. "It was the last round of the ACC and it's just tough. It's tough emotionally." Weaver, who will remain an amateur through the end of the summer before turning pro, said his experience at Virginia Tech was great. "I've been able to grow as a person off and on the golf course," he said….
The 4th annual Big House Gaines Tournament is scheduled for June 12 at Salem Glen Country Club with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. This tournament honors the late Gaines, a founding member of Reynolda Rotary and former basketball coach at Winston-Salem State. Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, a star of Gaines' 1966-67 national championship team, is scheduled to be at the tournament. For more information call Mel Pearce at 575-1729 or e-mail Pearce at Mpearce002@triad.rr.com….
The Earnest Morris Junior Golf Academy for ages 8 to 18 is taking registration, with the camp to begin June 15 and run until July 9. Sessions will be every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at Winston Lake. The cost is $125 and there is a limit of 75 players. For more information call Ralph Gaillard at 727-2703 or e-mail him at ralphg@cityofws.org….
The Triad Youth Golf Foundation, in partnership with Robert Linville's Precision Golf School and the Optimist Club of Winston-Salem, is offering team golf for junior players. The semi-competitive atmosphere lends itself to quicker learning of skills and etiquette in preparation for tournaments. For more information on dates and courses, call 510-4653 or go to www.tygf.org….
■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.
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