The stars of golf have gathered where all stars go—the Hollywood hills. This week, the top 54 players in the Charles Schwab Cup points race have advanced to play in the PowerShares QQQ Championship at Sherwood Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course known for its dazzling layout and member roster. TV coverage is on Golf Channel Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. EDT.
The PowerShares QQQ Championship field is fittingly packed with power. Bernhard Langer, who captured his sixth title of the 2017 season Sunday at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, leads the Charles Schwab Cup race with 3,622,359 points. He clinched the No. 1 seed for the season-long, earnings-based competition in pursuit of his fourth straight Charles Schwab Cup title to determine the PGA TOUR Champions’ top player.
Others in the field include Colin Montgomerie, Corey Pavin, Jay Haas, John Daly, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Scott McCarron, and Vijay Singh. Based on how they manage the challenge at Sherwood this week, the top 36 after the PowerShares QQQ Championship will move on to the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club from Nov. 6 to 12.
The 7,025-yard, par-72 golf course first opened in 1989. One of the most picturesque courses in California, it was known as the club to join, and its roster of members included a “who’s who” of the sports and entertainment world—from Wayne Gretzky to Sean Connery to Kenny G. Sherwood also hosted PGA TOUR events from almost the first time a golf ball was teed up there.
But when Sherwood turned 25, it was decided that like most in the Los Angeles area who share the club’s age, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course was in need of a facelift. Sherwood’s new look, led by Jack Nicklaus, did more than just transform the golf course. Nicklaus Design reduced the amount of irrigated turf by almost 30 percent, which in the State of California, is critical. The restoration returned the course to its place as one of the finest and most challenging in the state.
“The place looks phenomenal—it really does. Jack, great job again. I’m sure you’re sort of sick of hearing that, but the place is great,” said four-time major champion Rory McIlory after the layout’s grand re-opening.
“As players, we’re thrilled to be coming back to Sherwood. Sherwood has special tradition. It has spectacular facilities. And the staff here has done a great job. We were overwhelmed by the support we got here, so we can’t wait to play here,” defending champion Tom Pernice said at the PowerShares QQQ Championship’s Media Day.
“Every guy in the field knows you need to be in the top 36 in order to have a chance to be in the finals, so I think fans will see a lot more volatility at this year’s tournament. As the stakes get higher, the focus for all of us narrows and that will make things very exciting for the fans.
“It’s a golf course that challenges every part of your game,” Pernice said, “but if you hit good shots, you will be rewarded.”
