Golfing fans around the world are still hungover from Scottie Scheffler’s commanding win at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club! But the world number one is eager to showcase his skills yet again. This time, at one of Tour’s most iconic events: the Charles Schwab Challenge. This year will see prominent players like Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, and Tommy Fleetwood joining Scottie Scheffler in the player field. The field will also include Davis Riley, the defending champion. You see, every year in May, since 1946, the world’s greatest golfers compete at the iconic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Previously known as the Colonial National Invitational,
Being held from May 22 to May 25, with a purse of $9.5 million, the par-70 course measures 7,289 yards and is renowned for its challenging course. While the course may have been lengthy a few years ago, that would not be a challenge for most players anymore. With its narrow fairways, doglegs, and strategic bunker placements, players will require precision and shot-making rather than just sheer power. Let us get to know the venue a bit more.
What makes Colonial Country Club so iconic?
Established in 1936 by Marvin Leonard, the course features bentgrass greens, a popular choice because of its fine texture and predictable ball roll. The course’s signature brutal stretch, “Horrible Horseshoe,” which includes holes 3, 4, and 5, is famous because of a 248-yard Par-3 that is sandwiched between two Par-4s, each measuring 475 yards. Gil Hanse recently redesigned the course, maintaining its old-school characteristics while adding a blend of modern playability, trying to recapture the course in its early years.
This year, being the 79th edition of the Invitational, will see players battle it out to have their names engraved on the Wall of Champions, a tradition of the Colonial Country Club. A stone wall displays the names of each year’s winners, serving as a constant reminder of the tournament’s rich history. Ben Hogan, who was native to Fort Worth, won at the Colonial five times, a record no one has yet beaten. It is this feat that gave the course the nickname “Hogan’s Alley.”
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Apart from the legends who have graced this tournament, it is Colonial’s stability and tradition that make it stand apart. In an era where tournaments frequently change venues and sponsors, this is the longest-running tournament held at the same course without interruption.
The event’s course is not the only iconic thing about this weekend. There is one another famous tradition—the Champions’ Choice that sets it apart from the other tournaments on the Tour.
Neal Shipley is one of the two for ‘The Champions’ Choice’
Being one of the five invitational tournaments on the PGA Tour, the eligibility criteria for players to take part in the event are more relaxed compared to full-field open tournaments, which strictly rely on the PGA Tour Priority Ranking System. One such criterion is a special invitation sent out by the past tournament champions to two players of their choice. This week, the Champions’ Choices were Neal Shipley and Blades Brown.
While Brown is a young, 17-year-old amateur who turned pro this winter, Neal Shipley is the one to watch out for. The young lad, known for his relaxed demeanor, turned heads with his appearance at the 2024 Masters, where he was paired with Tiger Woods in the final round. Currently ranked fifth on the Korn Ferry Tour and with his first professional win at the LECOM SunCoast Classic, he feels prepared to be on the PGA Tour and secure his card for 2026.
You can catch the event live on the Golf Channel. Who are you rooting for this weekend? Let us know your picks below!
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