Work and fun at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte

Lush, green, magestic fairways framed with towering pines and oaks.

Greens as gorgeous, slick and challenging as those at August National.

A gentle, refreshing breeze with sun-drenched cool (and then warming) days.

Spectators by the tens of thousands.

The Goodyear blimp hanging in a blue sky with a few wispy clouds.

Ice cold bottled water, soft drinks or frosty beer and delicious food.

2,300 ambassadors (volunteers).

Tiny white balls projected like missiles from a tee. Putters gently brushing the greens. Wedges lifting balls, like magic, from bunkers. Gasps of wonderment from the onlookers.

The best golfers on the planet.

All of them seeking the first place prize—$1.3 million.

An unassuming (Asian looking) guy by the name of James Hahn (a former shoe salesman, no less) whom hardly anyone knew. He won the sudden death playoff hole, beating the likes of Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Bobby Castro, Webb Simpson and Justin Rose.

James Hahn, former shoe salesman, winner of $1.3 million!

It was great working another Wells Fargo Championship at the beautiful Quail Hollow Club—the ninth one I’ve been a part of.

Well, actually, my assignment this year (as with last) was at the Will Call trailor at Carowinds—about 10 miles from Quail Hollow.

Good people on the Will Call team. We meshed well. Worked hard. Got excellent leadership from our committee chair, and at the end of the day felt we’d done our part to make the 14th Wells Fargo Championship a success. Way to go, Will Call team!

It wasn’t all work. For I got out on the course a few days and took in all the beauty, fun and excitement at Quail Hollow. Got to see Mickelson make a bogey. Saw Rory score a birdie.

Next year the Wells Fargo Championship will be played at a golf course in Wilmington, N.C.

Onward to Wilmington, and then, in 2018 (God willing) back to Quail Hollow in Charlotte!