A great venue for a wonderful tournament

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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Welcome to Sedgefield Country Club for the Wyndham Championship. When I say "welcome" I don't mean it the way that they do at so many of the other venerable clubs in the country with the subtle hint of, "when are you leaving?" I mean welcome, enjoy, stay as long as you want, we are happy to have you.

John Maginnes

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What Sedgefield shares with so many of these clubs is a rich history and tradition of championship golf that extends back to Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and especially Sam Snead. Where it separates itself is more of a feeling than any single act or event. Sedgefield is more than a country club or a neighborhood; it is a community. Recently it has been a bustling, thriving and excited community in preparation for hosting the Wyndham Championship for the first time in 31 years.

The Donald Ross layout recently went through a renovation at the hand of famed Ross historian Chris Spence. With appropriate reverence for the master architect Chris brought the golf course to modern TOUR standards without treading on Ross' imagination and genius. For Chris it is a labor of love to touch up the fading canvas of golf's great masterpieces.

The centerpiece of the property is the Tudor clubhouse that once served the area as an inn but now stands as a fully functioning modern facility. The players will be greeted by one of the most impressive locker rooms on the PGA TOUR. Located on the second floor, this massive locker room features a championship pool table, steam and sauna facilities and one of the coziest men's grills imaginable. I understand that the ladies locker room is nice, too, but the last man to walk in there now plays at one of the public golf courses.

Besides, I have trouble enough at the card games in the men's grill. But it is here and on the first tee negotiating the daily game that you'll find the true heart of Sedgefield. The club truly shines at the swimming pool during swim meets and on the driving range during junior clinics. Despite its rich history, Sedgefield never takes itself too seriously. It has its own personality and a pulse that has been beating a little faster lately in anticipation.

The question on everyone's mind since the course reopened has been how it will hold up under the assault of the game's best players during the Wyndham Championship. When you consider the date -- the week following the PGA Championship and the week before the first of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup events -- the obvious questions should have been about the field. Enough of the top names in the game have made the journey back in time to Sedgefield, though, that those worries have fallen by the wayside.

How the players will fare remains to be seen. One thing is certain, though. Those who understand the traditions of the game, and most do, will appreciate classic golf in a traditionalist setting. And if someone shoots 20 under, he will be a deserving champion. If you want to bet on that winning score I know a guy who will give you some pretty good odds -- he has been a member for years.

Like all the other members he is more than happy to open the doors to his club and welcome not only the players but the rest of the Greensboro community, as well. The membership is proud about what has been accomplished over the past decade or two. The restoration of the clubhouse and the updating of the golf course give each and every person involved a sense of pride and a desire to show off their accomplishment.

The TOUR players who have been coming to Greensboro for years understand that we are a small-market event. What we lack in big-city amenities, though, we make up for in hospitality and appreciation. That won't change; if anything it will be magnified. The change of venue -- or return home as it has been dubbed -- has invigorated the club, the tournament and the entire city. So what if the Wyndham Championship is jammed in between a major and the playoffs? If you aren't here, you are missing a great golf course at a terrific club in one heck of a fun little town.