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| John Daly |
TUCSON, AZ - At the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club, John Daly became the most surprising major championship winner in PGA Tour history.
After getting into the event as the ninth alternate, no one expected the blonde, long-haired, Arkansas rookie to even be near the leader board. Instead, in one of the great moments in Tour history, Daly used his incredible length and his deft touch around the green to complete the improbable.
From that day on, Daly was an instant favorite on Tour. However, his life and golf game have been on a roller coaster ever since, sometimes reaching the pinnacle of success and sometimes falling to the darkest caverns. Now John has found peace at home and at the golf course. Here's a look at the courses at home and on Tour where Long John finds that precious peace.
| Daly told me last week, "I can't remember the last time I had a drink." |
Named after a Choctaw Indian chief, the facility opened in July, 1997, in Philadelphia (Miss.) with just the Azalea course. It became an instant hit, garnering awards from numerous respected golf journals which praised its unique layout and fine practice facilities.
One of the great things about Tom Fazio's Azalea layout is that it utilizes the beautiful natural surroundings in creating a stunning 18-hole design. Holes travel through the southern woodland, including a forest, as well as through marshes. And over 2-miles of natural springs and creeks weave through the links. Further, over 10,000 azaleas were brought in to beautify the course in the spring and create almost an Augusta feel.
With the Azalea course being such a hit, construction immediately began on a sister course. The Oaks course, designed by PGA great Jerry Pate, opened in 1999. Similar to the Azalea, Oaks is over 7,000 yards and travels over the lush valleys and gentle rolling hills, and past streams and even a couple of lakes that love to devour errant shots.
After the round you might find John relaxing at the three-story, plantation-style clubhouse with wrap-around verandas overlooking those rolling, wooded hills. But you won't find him with a beer. He told me last week, "I can't remember the last time I had a drink."
Long John said that the peace and quiet he finds at Dancing Rabbit helps him focus on his game and in his attempt to return to his prior form. He works out hard in the off-season, but until recently it hasn't paid off.
He remarked at the Tucson Open, "I've worked really hard on my game for the past year and the scores just don't show it. I'm in better shape now than I have been since I won the British Open."
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Still, it's no question that his game is rounding into shape. "My game feels good when I get on the course," he commented. "I think all the hard work is starting to pay off."
Part of his early season success may come from finding peace at the first Tour stop. Daly, a yearly competitor at the Tucson Open, played reasonably well this year despite finishing back in the pack.
However, John expressed that it's the course, the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort, and not the check that brings him back year after year. "I really like the course. It's so peaceful. It's one of my favorite courses on Tour."
Tucson National's quiet, peaceful setting in a valley just northwest of Tucson makes it a favorite of everyday golfers as well as pros. Set amongst mature pine trees and sparkling lakes, it's difficult to find a more relaxing round of golf anywhere in Arizona.
It also offers two clubhouse dining areas, The Legends for burgers and other lunch items and The Fiesta Room, which has a bevy of delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees.
The luxury resort is a hot spot among Tour players. Veteran Billy Andrade expressed his and his family's love of the site: "It's a great place for the whole family. They all want to come, and it's nice that it's right next to the course."
Since John Daly won the 1991 PGA Championship and went on to be Rookie of the Year, he has been in a constant search for the peace that used to come from just being alone on the course with his clubs and a ball. He has achieved records in golf that put him in a very elite category, such as one of just a handful of players to win 2 majors before the age of 30.
However, John admits, "I'm still immature." Hopefully as he continues to grow, the trials and tribulations he has endured will only make him stronger. For the first time in quite a while, at home and on Tour, John appears to be finding the ever-elusive peace that can help him return to his past success.
www.johndaly.cc
Dancing Rabbit Golf Club
One Chocktaw Trail
Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350
(800) 557-0771
Rounds: $60 Mon-Thurs, $80 Fri-Sun
Caddies available
www.dancingrabbitgolfclub.com
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
2727 West Club Drive
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 575-7540
Rounds: $140
www.omnitucsonnational.com
Scott Behmer is the Southern Arizona Bureau Chief for GolfArizona.com. He can be reached at scott@travelgolf.com
Superstition Springs Golf Club