I guess you could say that a type of "bird" was the word on Wednesday at the PGA Tour's newest stop, the Barbasol Championship, being held at the Robert Trent Jones Grand National in Opelika, Alabama.
Actually around those parts, "eagle" was the world of the day.
Wednesday was the pro am and just in my casual viewership of the proceedings I saw eagles by both the amateurs and professionals. The pro am flowed like most do, and the amateurs appeared to be enjoying the round playing with the PGA pros. Not sure about some of the pros that were walking the 18 while the "ams" were comfortably riding in carts.
The 18th at the Barbasol ChampionshipIt's true, the course is in beautiful shape and Sunday afternoon, with temps hovering around the century mark, I tend to things will get real interesting.
"Eagles of another type" were seen on the course on Wednesday, specifically around the practice putting green as Auburn University students and reps brought out their school mascots and other birds of prey for the media and other patrons to take a look at. Impressive to say the least. These are eagles that soar above Auburn's football stadium on gamedays. A nice touch for the tournament to bring them out. The Southeastern Raptor Center.
"Sprit" the Bald EagleIf you heard chants of "War Eagle" on the grounds of the Barbasol on Wednesday, it's because there is a legion of Auburn golfers playing this week. Players, Blayne Barber, Patton Kizzire and Ben Schlottman will hope to ear "War Eagle" quite frequently this week as they attempt to go low.
Auburn golfers pose with the eaglesTournament information:
2015 Barbasol Championship
Dates: July 13–19, 2015
Where: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, Lake Course, Opelika/Auburn, Alabama
Par/Yards: 35-36--7,302, par-71
Field: 132
2014 champion: inaugural event
Purse: $3,500,000/$630,000 (winner)
FedExCup: 300 points to the winner
Format: 72-hole stroke play
Website: http://www.barbasolchampionship.com/
A look at the 2015 Barbasol Championship
⦁ The Barbasol Championship will be the first PGA TOUR event in Alabama since the 1990 PGA Championship.
⦁ With only eight events remaining before the FedExCup Playoffs, the Barbasol Championship will play an important role in the field for the first Playoffs event at The Barclays.
Also a great media gift this week, something we can actually use. Was there any doubt what it would be.
Note: Great work by a real pro, in Bill Lang taking care of the media this week and organizing everything perfectly. It's rare for a new and first-time event to go off without a hitch, but the Barbasol Championship is heading in that direction.