The Players Championship: Smoked out?

We’ve had a PGA Tour tournament delayed by wind this year. What’s next: Smoked out?

I just got a press release from the Golf Superintendents Association of America bragging about how Fred Klauk has the TPC Sawgrass all ready for The Players Championship.

That’s good. I know Fred. He’s a good man. I’m sure he’s got the Stadium course in tip-top shape.

I wonder, though, if he’ll have the world’s largest, outdoor air cleaner ready.

You see, I woke up yesterday morning and the world was full of smoke. Panicked, I called the Lee, Florida city hall, and they told me to calm down, that all that smoke was from those fires in south Georgia, up there in the Okeefenokee Swamp.

Now, I’m just south of the Georgia border, and about 90 miles from Jacksonville to the east, and then add another 20 or 30 or so to Ponte Vedra.

Most of north Florida, from the central to the easternmost part, is clogged with smoke, especially when the wind blows from the north.

Come May 7-13 there will be about 150 players and around 40,000 spectators in khaki shorts and penny loafers strolling the Sawgrass grounds.

Tournament officials are taking some precautions. They’ll have eyedrops at the first-aid stations and extra water, according to the Florida Times-Union. They’ll be manned by trained volunteers and other medical personnel.

I don’t think this is what Tim Finchem had in mind when he moved his pet tournament from March. Smoke does not go well with margaritas and daiquiris.