NEWSLETTER
The Colonial Country Club, the host of the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, has hosted the PGA Tour since 1946 and remains relevant despite changes in the sport. Accuracy is crucial, both off the tee and when aiming for the small bentgrass greens. Scoring birdies is challenging, and historically, long hitters have had to opt for less-than-driver shots due to forced layups, doglegs, Bermuda rough, and narrow tree-lined fairways.
Driver usage off the tee has increased in recent years and is expected to continue for some of the 132 golfers in the field this week. Not everyone has the ability to drive the ball over the trees to shorten the doglegs at Colonial, but those who can likely try. Nevertheless, as often seen, approach play is vital this week.
The course has undergone a significant renovation led by renowned architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner with the goal of modernizing and restoring it to its original form. The renovation addressed every aspect of the course infrastructure, including the irrigation system, bunkers, tees, and greens. Many trees and bunkers were removed to create a more open and well-lit course. Additionally, most greens were made more receptive as targets. The renovation also included the incorporation of “barrancas,” or dry streambeds that channel water during heavy rain, on several holes. The most notable changes were made to holes eight and 13, both par 3s, but I don’t think it’ll play drastically different than years past.
Colonial Country Club is a par 70 course that measures 7,289 yards. It is a classical course with above-average length, tree-lined fairways, numerous doglegs, and small green complexes. Lined with pecan, walnut, and oak trees, the course features minimal sloping and elevation changes. Similar to a Donald Ross design, the course’s routing is very creative as players tee off in a different direction after each hole. When the Texas winds blow, this can lead to challenging decisions on tee shots.
Colonial is known as one of the toughest courses to make birdies on Tour, and because it cannot be overpowered, it continues to challenge golfers year after year. It has the third-smallest average landing zones when combining fairway width (27.5 yards) and green size (5,000 square feet).
In summary, Colonial is the fifth toughest course on Tour to gain strokes off the tee. Also, it has the fourth narrowest fairways, averaging only 27.5 yards wide, and cannot be overpowered.
With tight fairways and small greens, Colonial tests a player’s ball-striking skills. Featuring the sixth-smallest greens on Tour and the fifth most penal rough, the course places a high emphasis on strong approach play with short to medium irons.
Scottie Scheffler’s participation adds an intriguing element to this week’s event. Hailing from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Scheffler has a strong track record at this event, finishing in the top three in the past two years. His presence on the course is a source of anxiety for outright bettors, as his B-game is formidable enough to win any event, and his current form is unmatched.
2024 Charles Schwab Challenge Sleepers and Longshots
Austin Eckroat
Austin Eckroat finished T18 at the PGA Championship last week, marking his third T18 or better in the past four starts. His win at PGA National in March is promising due to similar scoring conditions and the required skill set. In 2023, he made his debut at Colonial and finished T16. This week, he is poised for another T20 finish or better, and I believe he will close closer to 50 or 55.
Aaron Rai
My mom always warned me to be cautious of a golfer wearing two black gloves, but here we are. Rai’s performance in approaching the game keeps improving with each season, complementing his consistent ability to hit fairways from the tee. In just his second appearance at Colonial last year, he finished T12, and following his T4 at Byron Nelson, he finished T39 at the PGA Championship last week, indicating his strong current form.
