A small white ball soars into the air. The golfer shades his eyes from the bright sun shine and holds his breath waiting for it to fall to earth. He sighs in relief, as his ball lands safely on the green. This is no ordinary golf hole. It’s the par three, 17th, located on the Stadium Course at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. It is said that over 120,000 errant balls are recovered from the water, which surrounds the hole, each year. It is one of the most photographed holes in golf.

As a broadcast engineer I have attended every Masters, US Open, and PGA Championship since 1985, not to mention Ryder Cups. Although I have enjoyed traveling to these venues, I look forward to working locally here in Florida where I assist the BBC in covering the Tournament Players Championship in Ponte Vedra. For the last few years there had been talk of re-scheduling the event, but it never happened until last year when we were told it would be permanently moved from late March to early May in 2007.

There were several reasons for this change. First- it was held too close to the Masters Tournament which takes place the first week in April. By moving the date to May there would be a month gap instead of one week. Second- there would be warmer playing conditions with more daylight for the golfers to finish their rounds. Third- was to give the Tournament organizers 14 months, instead of 12 for extensive renovations to the course they had planned.

At the conclusion of the 2006 Tournament, the course was closed. Yardage wise it will not be any longer than it is now, but every green will have a new subsurface drainage system, to hydrate in dry weather and vacuum water off when it rains. They are replacing the top soil on the fairways and installing a better irrigation system. A Walk of Fame will be added as well as a brand new media center and Mediterranean style clubhouse.

A huge lawn for spectators will adorn the front of the clubhouse. It will no longer be elevated on a hill, but ground level instead. Inside there will be large windows offering panoramic views of the ninth and eighteenth holes. A TPC Golf Academy will be added with indoor hitting bays and there will be a short game outdoor area as well. The much needed, and larger, Media Center will accommodate more broadcasters from all over the world.

I am looking forward to next May when I can park my car at the facility and visit the brand new clubhouse. I will ask Tiger, Phil, and Vijay what they think of the renovated course. I might even bring my golf clubs with me. I am certain that, after my work, I will want to go to that scenic 17th hole. Perhaps to hit a ball, then hold my breath like the Pro’s and hope it lands somewhere on the green.