Last week’s Players Championship turned out to be a thriller. Those of you who watched television coverage of the event no doubt witnessed Stephen Ames brilliant victory at the TPC Sawgrass course as well as highlights of the event’s four holes in one! The assault on the flagstick at number thirteen started on Friday when Justin Leonard and Jesper Parnevik both aced the par 3 hole at Sawgrass from approximately 160 yards away. Commentators referenced the friendly flag placement as a key contributor to the excellent shots made on the hole that day. Shots seemed to funnel straight towards the cup all day long it seemed. Saturday proved to be an equally exciting day for the spectators at 13 as European standout Henrik Stenson made yet another ace at the hole.

Not to be outdone, tour veteran and past Masters champion Fred Couples stroked a brilliant shot from 159 yards away at the 13th on Sunday for the fourth ace of the week at the par 3 hole. In doing so, Fred also became the first player in tournament history to have made a hole in one twice at The Players. His other miraculous shot came in 1997 when he managed to tame the terrifying island green at 17.

Sunday’s finish also marks the end of an era for The Players Championship. As a part of the PGA Tour’s reshuffled schedule beginning next season, The Players event will move from its typical spot in late March to a date in early May. The event will no doubt be just as exciting in its new position, however, as weather in May is more amenable to Tour play than late March. Congratulations goes out once again to Stephen Ames on his fantastic victory at the 2006 Players Championship!