Hardy wins praise with party hole
FARMINGTON – When Joe Hardy visited the TPC golf tournament in Arizona recently, he saw an idea that he wanted to “steal” for his golf tournament, the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa. One of the holes at the tournament had been dubbed the “party hole” and Hardy was enthralled by the raucous crowd and how they interacted with the world’s best golfers.
He was told that the idea of a party or fun hole was supported by the PGA Tour, in an attempt to attract fans to the game of golf.
Thus the 17th party hole at Mystic Rock was born.
This year, the tricky par-three, buffeted by water to the left and marked by a nasty pot bunker just to the right of the green has been converted into a massive frat party, complete with beads and beer, cheering and chanting.
Ryan Barnhart, 20, a California University student in the professional golf program coordinated the crowd involvement at the hole for the weekend. He said the atmosphere generated by the free gifts of T-shirts and towels along with a dedicated staff of about a dozen area students, helped to energize the spectators and bring in fans of all ages to the party zone.
“This is a PGA initiative to try and make golf fun,” Barnhart said. “All we do is encourage people to make a lot of noise as players approach.”
Isaac Jacobson, a West Virginia University student from California, said he came out to the tournament Saturday to catch some of the world’s greatest golfers and was instantly drawn to the atmosphere at the 17th.
“This hole is just fun,” Jacobson said. “Everything is loud.”
Trevor Consavage of Charleroi who is also in the professional golf program at California University, said the hole was simply “a good time” and that everything was under control despite the seemingly wild atmosphere.
“We have really gotten a good reaction from the players,” Consavage said. “One of the players yesterday who was struggling played along and tossed some balls into the lake and got everyone into it.”
As he talked Barnhart coordinated a massive chant for local golf favorite Rocco Mediate, a Greensburg native, as he approached the 17th green.
And Barnhart said similar chants were arranged throughout the day, including a chant of “lefty” for Phil Mickelson.
Nemacolin spokesman Jeff Kimec said Mickelson seemed to really enjoy the hole and tipped his cap to acknowledge the crowd.
“He was really laughing and that interaction is what we want,” Kimec said.
Third round leader Jason Gore, who fired a 5-under par 67 to go to 12-under for the tournament, even commented on the crowd at the 17th.
“That 17th green is pretty fun,” Gore said. “There are some people consuming some beverages around there and its awesome.”
Officials said students from West Virginia University, California University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, The University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, and Point Park College were represented at the hole.
“We have bused in some schools for our student sections,” Barnhart said. “We just want everyone to have a good time.”