Let’s be very clear: When the USGA picks a venue to host one of its championships, well, just know it’s not going to be a cross between Sir Goony’s and some neighborhood muni.
Only the best of the best in these United States get picked, and this week, The Honors Course in Ooltewah is putting its best Foot Joy forward.
“We have talked often about treating this as a U.S. Open, because for these players, that’s what this is,” Honors director of agronomy Will Misenhimer said Monday evening.
And he’s right. And he and his crew have lived up to that challenge and then some for the 156 U.S. Senior Amateurs who started this USGA championship Saturday. The field is down to 32 after Monday’s first round of match play.
“How can you not love the Honors,” veteran U.S. Senior Amateur competitor and two-time tournament winner Paul Simson said. “There seriously is not a single blade of grass out of place.”
That is true. And it’s true because Misenhimer and his minions have worked tirelessly to make it so.
How tirelessly?
Well, Misenhimer is on the proptery until 12:30 a.m. and is back at it at 4, getting the course ready for the next day’s play.
In fact, the USGA officials put Misenhimer in timeout, for a lack of a better word, and forced him to go rest Monday afternoon.
“They said they were going to put an ankle bracelet on me if I said on property,” Misenhimer said.
He quickly and openly praises his staff and the efforts from everyone involved at The Honors, because an endeavor this big must be tackled by a village.
But the results and reviews from USGA officials, players and former Honors legends have been overwhelmingly positive.
“Will is the perfect guy for this job,” longtime Honors caretaker David Stone said Saturday from the patio during the first round. “He has this place as good as it’s ever been.”
The path here has not been easy.
There was the redesign several years ago. There was the Southern Am misfortune because of the steady rain. There were the spring tornadoes that wreaked havoc on the grounds.
Through it all, there has been Misenhimer, who has been on staff at The Honors since 2006 and been running the show since 2017.
“I have a great staff, and they do not get enough credit for all they do,” he said. “And the support from the membership and the resources we have makes our jobs possible.”
Despite the endless hours and the collective team effort, there still was one tiny item Misenhimer had zero control over.
The weather.
“We have some brown places out there, but that means it’s playing fast,” he said. “When the course looks too good, it’s going to be too soft and too slow.
“When all these great players come in, you want to make sure it’s a test, and I think we have done that. The course has protected itself very well.
“This has exceeded my expectations.”
And, friends, he’s not alone in that assessment this week.
What’s in a name
So, Canadian Dave Bunker defeated Bryan Hoops 1 up in Monday’s first round.
Bunker, who says he has heard every version of the unfortunate golf term that is his last name, was all smiles after his first round victory.
“When I was younger, everyone would say Archie Bunker jokes,” he said. “Now I’m not sure how many people know who that is.”
Bunker hails from around the Niagara Falls area just across the border to the north. He drove to The Honors, stopping on the way to visit family.
He will face Stephen Creed of England Tuesday morning at 7:40 in the second round.
The streak ends
Paul Simson had a dazzling collection of stats and streaks entering this week.
This was his 15th U.S. Senior Am, and the two-time former champ has made it to match play in all of his 15 trips.
Monday, though, his first-round match-play unbeaten streak was dashed when David Tassell drained a 25-footer for birdie on 18 to beat Simson 1 up.
“I am playing with house money,” Tassell said after the match. “I have already won in my mind. Just go out have, fun and enjoy playing with a great player.”
Tassell was one of the morning players who survived the playoff after stroke play to get into the match play portion of the championship.
Rolling along
Todd White of Spartanburg, South Carolina, looked every bit the part of defending champion and favorite Monday.
He powered to a 5-and-4 win over Curtis Hock after dropping birdies on the first two holes and was 5 up by the time the pair got through 10.
White will face Todd Burgan of Knoxville Tuesday in the round of 32.
“On this golf course you are one swing away from losing every hole,” White told the USGA representatives after his Monday round. “That’s a good championship golf course because it will test you every second that you are out there.”