TwinEagles brings back old memories, players share experiences
ACE Group Classic is being played at TwinEagles Naples, Florida, this week. The tournament has been known for its tough competition, but there is more to it than the just the strong roster.
Players taking part in the ACE Group Classic have had their own ideas about the tournament and TwinEagles.
American golfer Loren Roberts is keen to explain how he has participated in the tournament over the years. The veteran star is pretty well versed in how to play the famous course, as he won the 2006 event.
Roberts came back at TwinEagles this week to bring back his best memories. He is gearing up to record another victory at one of his most favourite courses.
In addition to winning the 2006 event, he grabbed the headlines yet again in the 2009 season when he won his second title.
Sharing his thoughts about TwinEagles, Roberts said that he has always wanted to fire on this course because this is where he plays best.
Recounting his past experience on the course, he said, “TwinEagles has not changed a bit, it’s still beautiful and in pristine condition”.
Another player who is also obsessed about ACE Group Classic and TwinEagles is Gary Koch. Koch himself is a golf course designer and he knows what makes a course stand out.
Whenever Koch sets foot on the course at Naples, it reminds him of his stunning performance back in 2004.
He had come close to snatching a triumph but was hampered by Craig Stadler, losing the match.
It could have been a great show. Koch too was present on Thursday, along with Roberts at his famous course. He looked keen to move on without worrying about his narrow miss in the 2004 event.
Regretting his careless mistakes that let Craig Stadler walk away with the trophy, Koch said that he could have won the match but did not realise how the game was going.
He stated that not hoisting the trophy that could have been his was a big let-down. He claimed that due to his tight schedule, he did not have enough opportunities to make too many attempts.
“It was an unusual week, starting with the first round when I had a 28 on the back 9, and my best ever,” he said.
Koch’s career has been commendable, as he proved his worth by racking up 3 titles on the PGA Tour.
“Yes, 2004 was a disappointment to be in control and then let it slip away,” he said. “Especially the back 9, I still have the memories”.
The most momentous year for Koch at TwinEagles was 2006, as he recorded a top-10 finish. He pointed out that he still likes the course, as there are plenty of good memories attached to it.
“The course is in wonderful condition and the greens are among the best we play on all year,” Koch commented. “The guys that played here before to a man all liked the golf course”.
Bernhard Langer also likes to talk about ACE Group Classic. He rose to fame after he won the 2011 title on the same course.
Winning Masters and having a promising career, Langer considers TwinEagles to be his biggest inspiration.
The German star had been superb with his game until early 2011. He got off the winning track last year after he had a bike accident that damaged his thumb.
Speaking of the event this week, Langer disclosed that he has recovered and will try to repeat what he showed last year at TwinEagles.
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