The Hole Story by Craig DeVrieze

There’s nothing in golf quite like the 16th hole at the FBR Open in Phoenix.

Wouldn’t it be fun if there was? Like say the 16th hole at TPC Deere Run? How would that play?

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is simply the rowdiest, least genteel atmosphere you’ll find around The Gentleman’s Game. There, 20,000 fairly gin-soaked zanies hoot and hollar after every shot, heckle the pros who hit bad shots, and some who hit good.

Some players love it. Some players hate it.

But it is undeniably fun.

16 at Deere Run is a scenic little hole — recently, in fact, it was voted one of the most beautifully brutal par 3s in the country — that certainly creates some John Deere Classic excitement.

It is among the tourney’s most closely watched holes, although creating a Phoenix-like amphitheater could be a challenge given that the entire left side of the hole is a fawning cliff.

Actually, when Deere Run was constructed, I envisioned 16 at Deere Run being something like the 18th hole at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C. There, luxurious yachts line the Calibogue Sound to the left of the green and sound their horns when a Verizon Heritage champion is crowned.

In my mind’s eye, I saw shirtless Quad-Citians in bass boats lining the Rock River astride 16 and sounding air horns every time a JDC pro hit it close.

OK. Just an idea. Never said it was a good one.

Neither, probably, would be attempting to emulate 16 in Scottsdale. The JDC was honored by the PGA Tour last year for having the most engaged community on the circuit. It wouldn’t fit our warm and sensible smalltown Midwestern image to ”engage” in beery hooting and hollaring at Deere Run’s signature hole.

So … never mind.

And for our loyal The Hole Story commenters, I’ll just say I once saw Michelle Wie birdie 16.