FORE Play: The PGA Tour heads to Houston

Who's Playing This Week

Ryan Palmer

Where Are They Playing

Shell Houston Open - The Golf Club of Houston, The Tournament Course

Catch the television coverage as follows:

Thur-Fri: 3:00-6:00 pm CST on Golf Channel

Sat-Sun: 2:00-5:00 pm CST on NBC

Why You Should Watch

This is the last tournament before our first major of the year, as next week is Masters week.  A lot of the big names on tour like to get in one last competitive weekend, so you'll see some big names coming to Houston this week.  If you'd like to enjoy some spring weather and watch the pros, this is a great chance to do that.  You can see big time players like Tyrone Van Aswegen, Tony Finau, and Kramer Hickok.  Are those made up names?  Of course not.  You also might see someone like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and one of my personal favorite guys on tour Ernie Els.

The Golf Club of Houston has also done a nice job of setting up the course to try and replicate the conditions the players will face at Augusta next week.  Which is a great way to entice these bigger names to come out and sharpen their game one last time.  This tourney also represents the last chance for players not currently on the Masters invite list to grab a win, and get the automatic invite next week.

The 19th Hole

With the tour stopping in Houston this week, and the onset of warmer spring weather, it's time to enjoy a few cold beers with our golf.  And when I think of Houston and beer, it begins with St. Arnold.  While I highly recommend several of their offerings, especially the Endeavor, this weekend would be a great time to pop open a couple of ice cold Weedwackers or Lawnmower beers.

I've been to the two tour stops in the DFW area, but never the Shell Houston Open.  So if anyone would like to share tips for attending this event in the comments, please do so.