ENDICOTT — The Dick’s Open is circled on calendars by golfers and golf fans near and far every year.
The PGA Tour Champions has made a stop in Endicott nearly every summer since changing from the BC Open. In fact, most golfers participating in the Dick’s Open played at En-Joie Golf Club when it was the traditional PGA Tour stop.
“I remember everything about that year,” Willie Wood, who won the Dick’s Open in 2012, said.
But it’s not just the memories of winning the Open that makes this particular tournament so special to these golfers.
It’s the giant “Welcome Champions” sign displayed on the deck of a house overlooking the 11th tee. It’s the hundreds of people coming to the Pro-Am, either to watch or to play a round of golf. It’s the gaggle of fans watching the pros at the practice tee, hoping to say hello once the golfers wrap up.
It’s the familiar feeling, a safe space, that has layers of nostalgia intertwined in every blade of grass.
“Very similar to the Greater Milwaukee open back in the day, when I was able to play in my home state,” Jerry Kelly said. “So I love the neighborhood feel, of course, it feels like home.”
For the first time since 2021, there will be a new Dick’s Open champion, too. Padraig Harrington, who’s won the last three-straight years, is participating in the Genesis Scottish Open this weekend and won’t defend his trophy for a fourth year. That leaves Cameron Beckman and Doug Barron as the two most recent winners competing.
The idea of a new champion being named on the 18th Green adds just a touch of excitement that hasn’t been here in the last few years.
“Play is pretty good here every year,” Barron said. “So I’m just really looking forward to Friday.”
Then of course, the familiarity of the course is a major advantage for the pros. Players like Barron, who’ve seen the course during his PGA Tour days and now, can remember how the course has changed over time.
“It’s really fun to play the exact same golf course,” Kelly said. “Not a whole lot has changed. Trees have gotten a little bit bigger, but we like that.”
Kelly also played in the BC Open while he was a part of the PGA Tour. It’s been a long time since he’s played this particular course, and even then, he admitted he only played the front nine during the practice rounds.
His first time experiencing the back nine ahead of the first round was during the Pro-Am, playing alongside amateur golfers.
“I haven’t played the backside yet for a really long time, so I’ll have to get my driving lines,” Kelly said. “But after that, it’s all golf.”
The pros get one final go-around on the course with the Pro-Am, but it’s very rarely seen as practice. The golfers are trying to focus more on the amateurs who’ve come to play and their families.
Yes, there’s the element of seeing the course one more time. Playing all 18 holes, even at a slower pace. But it’s the fun, casual kind of golfing – without the constant checking of the leaderboard or the intense competition with other golf legends.
The part of the preparation that requires the least bit of thinking, but allows the golfers to just be there. Be in the moment, and take a moment to enjoy the sport before the tournament begins Friday morning.
“During the Pro Am, it’s not about me, it’s about the people that you play with,” Barron said. “So you just have to figure out their personalities and what works for them and to make sure they have a great day.”
These golfers have played this sport their entire life, and at their age are relishing the ability to still play. Their to-do list before every tournament rarely changes, but at least when they arrive in Endicott, they know there’s a homecoming feeling waiting for them.
“It’s kind of a hometown feel, and people really come out, the community really supports it well, and that’s kind of nice to see,” Wood said. “It’s kind of throwback, if you will. It’s really a great, great group of people to come out and watch and support and see every year after year after year.”
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