Kentuckian Josh Teater, right, talks with 2022 Barbasol Championship winner Trey Mullinax during a video conference at the Barbasol Media Day. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Josh Teater probably knows the Keene Trace Golf Club course outside Nicholasville better than any other PGA Tour player who will compete in the Barbasol Championship July 13-16.
Teater is a Kentucky native who turned pro in 2001. He played the course in high school and while he’s now competing on the Korn Ferry Tour, he’ll be back at the Barbasol thanks to a sponsor’s exemption.
“It’s always fun to play here at home and get another PGA Tour start which I am looking to do every week,” said Teater. “Right now I am playing the Korn Ferry Tour but knowing I am in (the Barbasol) gives me time to schedule it out. I am really looking forward to it.”
Teater has won over $6 million in his professional career with two PGA runner-up finishes along with six top-five finishes overall. He has one win on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Teater shared various insights about the Barbasol Championship and his season during the recent Media Day at the golf course.
Question: Who is happier when you play here, you or friends/family?
Teater: “I would say it is pretty equal. I enjoy playing here and being in front of people I have known my whole life and I know they like coming out as well. I just want more people to come out and support the event. They do not necessarily have to watch me … but hopefully the weather will allow it this year.”
Question: What do other players on the PGA Tour say about this event in Kentucky?
Teater: “I think everybody at first was cautious about coming here. But everybody that has come and especially has brought the family has really loved the area. Everybody driving in … I see caddies and players who talk about driving back roads and how beautiful it was.”
Question: What does this tournament mean to you?
Teater: “As a kid to come out and play this course once a year and now to play a PGA Tour event is kind of surreal. I am looking forward to another chance to chase that (first-place) trophy.”
Question: How has your year been going?
Teater: “I started pretty solid, pretty consistent our first six or seven tournaments (with two top 20 finishes). The last two I did not play my best but I feel like my game is trending in the right direction. I have had two weeks off to work on it and then back on the road next week. I have to work up to be ready to play here in July. I think I am playing pretty solid overall. The game of golf is up and down. When you are up you are not that far from being down and when you are down you are not that far from being on top. Just continue to work.”
Question: How much do you like this course?
Teater: “I played here (a week ago) and it was a totally different course. It was firm, the greens were not as receptive as they have been when we have played every year in the rain. I hope it can play like that in July. I think this course would be significantly different and tougher to get it closer to the hole. Balls will roll off the green instead of just sticking. If we can get that, it will be a very entertaining tournament. There will be low scores but not as many low scores. I hope we can keep growing this and and keep it here for the long run and grow it into an event that is not opposite a big tournament.”
Question: How difficult has it been for tournament officials here to have a successful event dealing with monsoon-like rains at times, almost unbearable heat/humidity at other times?
Teater: “It has been very tough. The date in the schedule opposite The (British) Open was really hard because a lot of guys who have their (PGA Tour) card secured or who have played seven or eight weeks in a row are looking for a week to take off and this was one that would pop up. Now being opposite the Scottish Open it has moved to a better date. To have a chance to get into the (British) Open (by winning here) brings more people in. If we can continue to progress and find the right date when the rain or severe heat doesn’t come, we could have a huge success.”
Question: What is it like for you on the course here?
Teater: “There is no other event where I have that much support. My rookie year on the PGA Tour in (Las) Vegas we had maybe 25 or 30 (fans) and they were pretty rowdy but that was 13 year ago now. We will have it again here and hopefully it will be late on Sunday.”
Question: From a player’s perspective, what do you think when you hear that tournament officials want to make the par-3, ninth hole a “rowdy atmosphere” this year?
Teater: “I think bring it on. I think the hardest thing is when you have two or three people standing out there making noise. But if you have hundreds or thousands making noise, it is like white noise and just keep it going. The more people we can get out here, it doesn’t bother me if they are making noise or not.”
