Atlanta Drive GC has maintained an unblemished record so far. Following their victory in TGL’s inaugural season, the team from Georgia sustained its momentum with a dominant 7-4 win against The Bay Golf Club on Tuesday night, effectively launching their second season.
Although the final score suggested an easy win, the Atlanta trio of Billy Horschel, Patrick Cantlay, and new team member Chris Gotterup faced an initial challenge from The Bay’s Ludvig Åberg, Shane Lowry, and Wyndham Clark. Trailing 2-1 after the first four holes, partly because The Bay deployed two early “hammers,” Atlanta rallied to win two of the subsequent three holes, narrowly securing the triples session 3-2. Crucial chip-ins from off the green by Cantlay and Gotterup were instrumental in establishing this lead.
The Bay swiftly leveled the score by winning on the 10th hole, but this victory expended their last “hammer.” Deprived of this point multiplier, The Bay struggled to keep pace with Atlanta Drive’s performance, which saw birdies from Gotterup and Horschel, complemented by a strategic “hammer throw” from Cantlay.
Atlanta’s record advanced to 2-0 for the season, allowing them to retake the leading position in the standings, whereas The Bay experienced a defeat in the opening match of their second campaign.
A Minor Concern…
Marketing a technology-driven league becomes challenging when technical issues persist. Golfers appeared perplexed when Clark’s 9-iron shot on the par-5 second hole traveled over 200 yards and virtually landed in a water hazard. Despite their initial amusement and jest, the problems continued.
Clark again encountered a glitch when his tee shot on the par-3 12th hole was untraceable on the green. Match officials were summoned to the putting surface, with one staff member manually measuring the distance from the hole to correctly position Clark’s ball.
Modifications Near the Green Prove Beneficial
Several alterations were implemented for TGL’s second season, with one minor adjustment yielding the most significant impact so far. The key change wasn’t the redesigned holes or the expanded greens with more pin positions. Instead, it was the decision to orient all the grass surrounding the green in a down-grain direction. This modification enables players to execute enjoyable, crisp chip and pitch shots, showcasing their skill. Gotterup’s impressive shot (not shown here as it was just text but implies a visual) illustrates this effect.
