Virginia Golfer Jan / Feb 2018 | Page 23

The 2017-18 PGA Tour Schedule drive in 2017 (439 yards) didn’t come here, but in the WGC-Bridgestone in Akron, Ohio, elevation 1,004 feet. Mar. 8-11: Valspar Championship | Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead) | Palm Harbor, Fla. | 500 | Adam Hadwin Mar. 15-18: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard | Bay Hill Club & Lodge | Orlando, Fla. | 500 | Marc Leishman ›› With his family waiting near the 18th green, Leishman clinched a break- through victory—his first since 2012—at Bay Hill. Fun fact: In each of Leishman’s first two victories (the Travelers in ’12, Bay Hill in ’17), Charley Hoffman was a runner-up. Mar. 21-25: WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play | Austin CC | Austin, Texas | 550 | Dustin Johnson ›› The event is rigged, to a certain extent, to keep the stars around for a few days, at least. Still, a refreshing break from the monotony of 72-hole, stroke-play events. Mar. 22-25: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship | Corales Golf Club | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | 300 | First-year event Mar. 29-Apr. 1: Houston Open | GC of Houston | Humble, Texas | 500 | Russell Henley ›› Always fun to watch to see if someone can punch a last-gasp ticket to Augusta National. Apr. 5-8: Masters | Augusta National GC | Augusta, Ga. | 600 | Sergio Garcia ›› In each of the last three years, an Englishman has either won (Danny Wil- lett) or been runner-up (Justin Rose, Lee Westwood) at Augusta. Can Sergio repeat? The last time that happened was in 2001-02 when Tiger Woods pulled the trick. Apr. 5-8: RBC Heritage | Harbour Town GL | Hilton Head, S.C. | 500 | Wesley Bryan Apr. 19-22: Valero Texas Open | GC of Houston | Humble, Texas | 500 | Kevin Chappell Apr. 26-29: Zurich Classic of New Orleans | TPC Louisiana | Avondale, La. | 400 | Jonas Blixt/Cameron Smith ›› Want to breathe life into an event in the dead zone between the Masters and Players? A format change always helps. Outside of the Ryder and Presidents Cups, viewers are rarely treated to four- ball competition. The Zurich fills that void. May 3-6: Wells Fargo Championship | Quail Hollow Club | Charlotte, N.C. | 500 | Brian Harman ›› An easy drive for many Virginians, experience the Green Mile, a punishing finishing stretch that tests even the best players. The Wells Fargo returns to Quail Hollow after a year away thanks to the 2017 PGA Championship. The famous 13th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters. vsga.org J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 18 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 21