AUSTIN, Texas — Let’s start by saying I’m not typically one for writing first-person narratives from PGA Tour events. I’ll follow by saying I don’t know how else to tell this one.
In an effort to crack into the golf world — and isn’t everyone in that situation these days? — Austin-based Tito’s Handmade Vodka signed on as a sponsor for a number of PGA Tour events, including the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club.
Give the PR folks from Tito’s credit, they’ve concocted a number of interesting ideas to make a splash in the game — the Shortie’s Classic, for one, which was shot at nearby treasure Butler Pitch and Putt with Harold Varner III, Joel Dahmen, Pat Perez, and Harry Higgs.
But what really caught my eye was an invite to the debut of the Tito’s Bogey Boat, which was scheduled to embark this week, docking in the middle of Lake Austin beneath the Pennybacker Bridge.
For those who aren’t familiar, the Pennybacker — officially known as the Austin 360 Bridge — is the massive arch that dominates the backdrop as players tee off the short par-4 13th hole adjacent to the lake.
This has become a hotspot at the Dell for various reasons:
• First, the breathtaking lakefront views
• Second, the massive conglomerate of corporate tents that surround the fairways, one of which includes the title sponsor Dell (last year’s on-site celebrities included CEO Michael Dell and quarterback Baker Mayfield)
• And finally, unlike typical stroke-play events, the last few holes often go unplayed as players close out matches early. No. 13 still matters and is often a crucial time in each match
So I agreed to spend an hour or so on the boat, with little idea what I was getting into — and it made for a day I won’t soon forget. I invited a friend who preferred to remain nameless for this piece, since, as he told me, “I guess Fridays are technically a workday.”
Due to a number of issues with the water taxi that shuttles fans to and from the boat, the pickup point was back at Walsh Landing, a small launch site that sits five-or-so miles downriver from the boat. While that made things inconvenient, for certain, it also led to an amazing pontoon boat ride along the lake, which features some of the city’s best homes.
Among the massive spreads was one that looked like an entire compound, complete with a bridge that spanned a small inlet. This led to a fun exchange.
Me, looking at the amazing house on the water: “Whoa, must be Burt Reynolds or something.”
Ferry driver, not impressed with ‘Happy Gilmore’ reference: “Well … that’s Elon Musk’s house. I’m not sure how often he’s there, but it’s his.”
That’s right, Musk, who recently moved his Tesla headquarters to Austin, lives just a short ride from ACC, and others informed me that Dell’s home, as well as one previously owned by Sandra Bullock, was also close by. A small piece of me expected to see Matthew McConaughey sipping a cocktail and playing his bongos while we skipped by.
The tables all included a pair of binoculars and the view of the 13th was good, although not exactly good enough to aptly cover the event.
The vibe was exactly what you’d expect, a number of 20-somethings soaking up the sun, a handful of middle-aged folks like myself marveling at the fact that we’re part of this, and a stream of nearby boats with slightly overserved riders barely paying attention to the tournament unfolding just a few feet away.
I will say this —I have not been to every PGA Tour stop, although I’ve seen my fair share. Sitting on the upper deck of a barge with music, drinks, and BBQ in one of the Tour’s more iconic settings is something that sticks with a person.
Is it the best place on the entire PGA Tour to watch golf? I’m sure others will have differing opinions.
But put it on your bucket list. If it’s not the best place to watch from, it’s certainly somewhere in the running.
