By RON BALICKI
Senior WriterPONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Georgia State’s Joel Sjoholm displayed impressive control of his game in winning the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational in tough weather conditions and on a demanding Sawgrass Country Club course.
He was the only player in the field to post three sub-par rounds, shooting 69-70-70, and his 7-under-par 209 total was five shots clear of the field.
Still, Sjoholm said that wasn’t the best part of his week on Florida’s East Coast. For the senior from Sweden – and just about every other player in the field – the high point was the tournament within the tournament.
Though the inaugural Players Cup was only a three-hole affair, it was something every participant will remember. The informal event was held Feb. 17 after the first round of the John Hayt and played just across Highway A1A on holes 16-18 at TPC Sawgrass’ Players Stadium Course.
Talk about three memorable holes: The trio comprises the famous finishing stretch at a PGA Tour event often called golf’s “fifth major.” To add a little spice, the pin placements used in the college event were the same the pros play in the final round of The Players Championship, including the back-right pin on the par-3 17th hole’s trademark island green.
All 15 teams in the John Hayt field were invited to take part in The Players Cup, counting their four best scores on each hole. Only Florida didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
“It was amazing,” said Sjoholm, who played the three-hole stretch birdie-birdie-par. “It’s the most fun I’ve experienced in college golf. All the teams were out there and were yelling and screaming and carrying on. It was a blast.”
“I won (the Hayt individual title), but without a doubt playing those three holes at the Stadium Course was the highlight of my week,” Sjoholm said. “Knowing all the great players who have won (The Players Championship) and played that stretch of holes . . . it was just great.”
It was a nice added bonus for participants, one that likely will help North Florida attract even more top teams to its home tournament in the future.
“We wanted to do something over there (at the Stadium Course) and make it fun,” said Scott Schroeder, head coach of the host Ospreys. “I haven’t heard one negative comment. Even the schools that didn’t play well (in the first round of the Hayt) went over there and had a good time.
“It was all about playing three of the best finishing holes in golf and having some fun. We’re planning on making this an annual event.”
For the record, Georgia State won the mini-competition with a 4-under 44, two shots better than Charlotte and three in front of South Carolina, Tennessee and UCLA.
“We took ’em down,” laughed Georgia State coach Matt Clark, whose team finished ninth in the main event. “I don’t know about the NCAA, but I’m counting those (Players Cup) wins for my .500 status (to qualify for postseason play).”
Said Pepperdine coach John Geiberger: “It was exciting to play those three holes. There was a starter and the trophy at the 16th tee and a big scoreboard at the 18th green. One of my players told me it was the best extracurricular activity of any golf event, and I agree.”
Sure, all the participants wanted to play well and win The Players Cup as a team. But they also knew it was a time to kid each other, laugh and dish out a few high fives.
“I think we finished dead last (in The Players Cup), but we sure had a great time doing it,” said Mark Harrell, who two days later helped lead Alabama to its second consecutive John Hayt title.
• • •
Ron Balicki is a
Golfweek senior writer. To reach him e-mail
rbalicki@golfweek.com.
Posted: 2/25/2008
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