The course opened in 1980 as one of the first TPC courses.  It's spectator mounding made it one of the first, true "stadium" courses.  Designed by Pete Dye for what then PGA Tour Comissioner Deane Beman wanted as a site a "fifth" major.  When it first opened, players complained that it was too penal.  The Players Championship moved here in 1982.  The best critque was from J.C. Snead who called it "90 percent horse manure and ten percent luck".  Both Beman and Dye listened to the players and over the years, softened the course.  Today the tournament and course are one the players look forward to playing.  The field is usually one of the strongest outside of the four "official" majors.