The 2019 PGA Tour season will go into the record books as one for the ages. Few could’ve imagined what was in store when things got underway at the Safeway Open just 11 days after the previous season concluded. Tiger Woods won the Masters. Jim Herman won the Barbasol. Lee6 won the US Open. There’s little doubt these victories will be etched into the annals of golf history, but we can’t ignore the elephant in the room. The introduction of the Wyndham Rewards Top 10.
The race for the FedEx Cup and Aon Risk-Reward Challenge weren’t enough for golf fans. We needed more. Thankfully, if there’s one thing the suits in Ponte Vedra do well, it’s cashing checks. Enter the Wyndham Rewards Top 10. In addition to a $10M split payout amongst regular-season FedEx Cup point leaders, each player would be “invited” to become a Diamond Wyndham Rewards Member.
As a former consultant and sadistic travel points / status collector, it’s hard to put a price on the glory these things provide. The overwhelming joy one can feel whilst skipping the commoners in the check-in line and receiving your key to a luxury suite (where a personalized note and bottle of wine await) must be what smoking crack feels like. $2 million sounds cool, but have you ever gotten a few extra warm chocolate chip cookies on a flight when you’re only supposed to have one? That’s true power. The power of travel status.
While the Diamond offer from Wyndham is nice, there are two major issues. First, anyone in the Top 10 of the FedEx Cup is already obscenely wealthy and probably renting a luxury home most weeks. Second, Wyndham is objectively the shittiest “Superchain” in existence. I’d say that these guys wouldn’t be caught dead at a Wyndham hotel but realistically… that’s the only way they’d be caught there. If they were literally dead. Safety and Oklahoma truckstop Super 8’s don’t go hand in hand.
Nevertheless, just in case one of these deserving Wyndham Reward recipients would like to reap the benefits of the elite-status life… we’ve outlined the best Wyndham hotel at every US tour stop on the 2019-20 calendar. Prepare to be grossly underwhelmed.
A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier | Sept 9-15
Super 8 Lewisburg
Price – SOLD OUT!
Wyndham Summary – Historic Downtown Lewisburg and outdoor activities nearby
OTC Take – Yikes. This is an extremely difficult way to start off the year as a Diamond member. A Super 8 with no room at the inn. Too bad Wyndham Diamond members don’t have a 48-hour room guarantee like the goat… SPG (dba Marriott.)
Sanderson Farms Championship | Sept 16-22
Baymont by Wyndham Pearl
Price – $82/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to JAN Airport, Mississippi Coliseum, Brandon Amphiteater, and Trustman Park
OTC Take – Movin’ on up! Big leap in quality this week from the meth riddled Super 8 in West Virginia. It’s also close to the zoo which will be the only place to see a Tiger during the Sanderson. Lastly, “amphitheater” is misspelled on their site. Clean it up.
Safeway Open | Sept 23-29
Silverado Resort and Spa
Price – $525/Night
Wyndham Summary – A gracious Napa Valley resort offering championship golf, premier event space, and delectable dining
OTC Take – The crème de la crème of stops for a Diamond member. It’s a real shame to peak so early in the season but at Wyndham you have to take what you can get. You’ve earned it! Perfect location for Brooks to roll out of bed onto the first tee.
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open | Sept 30-Oct 6
Harrah’s Las Vegas
Price – $145/Night
Wyndham Summary – A lively hotel and casino with a blissful pool and spa in the heart of the Strip
OTC Take – From the penthouse to the outhouse. Very tough transition from The Silverado to Harrah’s. It’d be great to use the Caesar’s connection from Wyndham but the Palace is sold out so we’re stuck at this old jalopy. One the upside, they have a great Elvis impersonator known as “Big Elvis” who puts on a free show.
The Houston Open | Oct 7 – 13
Days Inn & Suites North Houston
Price – $60/Night
Wyndham Summary – Convenient to ExxonMobil and Hewlett-Packard headquarters
OTC Take – This Wyndham property isn’t the closest to the course, but it’s been selected for good reason. Proximity to The St. James Cabaret (don’t click this if you’re at work). At $60/night, you’ll be saving some cash you’re going to need. If you like eating hot dogs in strip club parking lots around 3AM, this is where you want to stay. The St. James also has a pool which we wouldn’t recommend you get in, for any reason.
RSM Classic | Nov 18 – 24
La Quinta Inn & Suites Brunswick
Price – $144/Night
Wyndham Summary – Inviting hotel off I-95, near the beach, port, and FLETC
OTC Take – Wyndham describes this La Quinta as an “inviting hotel off I-95.” Ya don’t see those combination of words put together too often. Regardless, we’re finally able to take advantage of Wyndham’s $2B acquisition of La Quinta and get a taste of what’s to come throughout the season.
Sentry Tournament of Champions | Dec 30 – Jan 5
Days Inn Maui Oceanfront
Price – $244/Night
Wyndham Summary – An oceanfront gateway to Wailea in South Maui
OTC Take – Even though everyone else is staying at the Ritz Kapalua, it’s imperative to take advantage of the free snacks and beverages at check-in for Diamond members. That should more than make up for the 25-mile drive to the course. Is it a hotel fit for a “Champion”? Most certainly not. But racking up nights to maintain that status requires sacrifices.
Sony Open | Jan 6 – 12
Waikiki Marina Resort
Price – $228/Night
Wyndham Summary – Marina condo resort with a restaurant near Waikiki Beach
OTC Take – It may look like a Stuytown tenement building, but you can’t beat the views. Additionally, this property boasts not one, but TWO pools. The kitchen appliances will take you back to simpler times, because they are about 25 years old.
Desert Classic | Jan 13 – 19
Travelodge Indio
Price – $76/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to the Riverside County Fairgrounds and Joshua Tree Park
OTC Take – WTF. This should be one of the biggest weeks of the year for a Diamond Wyndham Rewards member. The tournament is literally in La Quinta, CA. You’d think they’d roll out the red carpet and put you in a flagship La Quinta… sadly, there is no La Quinta in La Quinta. You’re stuck at this shady Travelodge. It might be time to start considering a switch to Marriott or Hilton Honors.
Farmers Insurance Open | Jan 20 – 26
Ramada Limited SeaWorld
Price – SOLD OUT
Wyndham Summary – Savor southern California’s sunny delights
OTC Take – Just when you think you’ve found the perfect spot to take the kids for a trip that works well with the Tour schedule, the Ramada Limited SeaWorld is too hot and you can’t get a room. Definitely keep this one in mind for early booking in 2021. You don’t see mini-dolphin fountains at motels too often.
Waste Management Phoenix Open | Jan 27 – Feb 2
Howard Johnson Scottsdale
Price – $134/Night
Wyndham Summary – Located off US 101 in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale
OTC Take – HoJo! It took a while but we finally found our first Howard Johnson. To be totally honest, the place looks somewhat serviceable. The location in Old Town Scottsdale doesn’t suck either. Mega value to be found at this diamond in the desert. The only downside is you’ll likely be sharing the motel with a bunch of shitfaced 20 somethings making their pilgrimage to WMPO.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro AM | Feb 3 – 9
Days Inn Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf Aquarium
Price – $534/Night
Wyndham Summary – Across from Del Monte Shopping Center and one mile from Fisherman’s Wharf
OTC Take – Christ almighty… $534/night for a Days Inn?! It’s a good thing you’ve banked a few properties in the $70/night range because your budget just got torched. Two big selling points here 1) The drive-thru will come up huge for your pace of check-in stats. 2) Fellow Pro-Am participant, Lawrence The Cable Guy, will likely also be shacking up here.
The Genesis Invitational | Feb 10 – 16
Wyndham Santa Monica at The Pier
Price – $388/Night
Wyndham Summary – Steps from the beach and a quick drive to all that SoCal has to offer
OTC Take – It doesn’t get any easier on the wallet this week. With that being said, things have markedly improved since early season stays at the Baymont in Jackson, MS. If you’re into dark tourism, this property is only 5 miles from the site of one of the most infamous crimes in American history. Head over to Rockingham Ave to get a look at the former home-site of the Twitter World’s “Yours Truly”
Honda Classic | Feb 24 – Mar 1
Hawthorn Suites
Price – $279/Night
Wyndham Summary – Just off I-95 and near Palm Beach Outlets
OTC Take – Welcome to the Florida Swing. Conditions might be better than Mexico City, but the water still smells like ass and shouldn’t be consumed. On the plus-side, this Wyndham property is walkable to both a Hooters and Red Robin. Be sure to hit the outlet mall for great deals on Eddie Bauer apparel on your way out of town.
Arnold Palmer Invitational | Mar 2 – 8
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
Price – $322/Night
Wyndham Summary – Condo resort with 5 pools and lazy rivers close to Disney World®
OTC Take – The options in Orlando are nearly endless. You have the choice of 58 different properties. So how do you choose? It was difficult to make a recommendation here until Wyndham mentioned a lazy river. Lazy rivers might be one of the greatest aquatic creations ever developed. If you have the option to stay somewhere with a lazy river. You do it.
The PLAYERS Championship | Mar 9 – 15
Ramada Jacksonville
Price – $101/Night
Wyndham Summary – Near EverBank Field, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, and Dave & Buster’s
OTC Take – One thing is very clear. The Florida Wyndham properties do a damn good job of marketing their properties. When faced with another tough choice of blasé options, the Ramada blows the field away with their mention of Dave & Busters. That’s an automatic booking. Skeeball and peperoni pizza pretzels? Yes please.
Valspar Championship | Mar 16 – 20
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Price – $169/Night
Wyndham Summary – Waterfront escape with access to downtown Tampa, Clearwater Beach, and airports
OTC Take – This is a prime candidate for a takeover by Margaritaville. It might be called a “resort & spa” but don’t let that fool you. It’s not The Silverado in Napa. If recent Florida history is any indication, you’ll want to steer clear of the spa. On second thought, the Tour will probably cover up any issues you run into so it could be worth a shot.
WGC Dell Match Play | Mar 16 – 20
Wyndham Austin
Price – $210/Night
Wyndham Summary – An ultra-modern, all-suite hotel in the heart of downtown
OTC Take – The fruits of your labor will finally start paying off here when you grab that Diamond suite upgrade at the brand-new Wyndham Austin. Mail it in and collect your free OWGR points in comfort at one of the first Wyndham properties that even has suites to be upgraded to.
Valero Texas Open | Mar 30 – Apr 5
Wyndham La Cascada
Price – $233/Night
Wyndham Summary – Riverside vacation rentals near The Alamo and San Antonio River Walk
OTC Take – For the first time all season we score back-to-back properties which can be considered average to good. Does the fact that it’s a Wyndham Vacation Resort lower the appeal? Yes. But the location is ripe for a few nice evenings on the water in downtown San Antonio.
The Masters | Apr 6 – 12
Super 8 Augusta
Price – $218/Night
Wyndham Summary – Easy access to I-520 and minutes to the Fort Gordon Main Gate
OTC Take – $218/nightis pretty steep for this pig pen, but when you get invited to The Masters you take what you can get. If availability is scare I believe the Reed family has an empty bedroom you might be able to use. Be sure to get your rounds done early because the line at Texas Roadhouse can get VERY long.
RBC Heritage | Apr 13 – 19
Super 8 Beaufort
Price – $69.69/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to Hilton Head Island and Parris Island Marine Base
OTC Take – Two huge selling points here. The first is that the nightly price is $69.69 and I’m not making that up. Nice — Secondly, this is in the hometown of Bubba from Forest Gump. You’re guaranteed to have an excellent shrimp po’ boy at the local Long John Silvers to make up for the prostitutes lingering outside the motel.
Zurich Classic | Apr 20 – 26
Harrah’s New Orleans
Price – $10,009/Night
Wyndham Summary – Mardi Gras-themed hotel, casino, and nightclub near the French Quarter and Superdome
OTC Take – Not quite sure what’s going on at Harrah’s during the Zurich, but if they’re charging TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS per night then it must be good. Not to mention you’ve probably been using a handful of leftover poker chips from Harrah’s Vegas as ball-markers you need to cash in. If you can’t afford the cost of admission, you’re simply not a #BigBaller.
Wells Fargo Championship | Apr 27 – May 3
Wyndham Garden Executive Park
Price – $76/Night
Wyndham Summary – Near Charlotte Douglas International Airport with free airport shuttle service
OTC Take – This revamped Hampton Inn is only a few steps removed from a trailer park. That’s why they call it an “Executive Park.” You’re gonna need to dial it back ASAP once your accountant and wife see the tab you piled up down in New Orleans.
AT&T Byron Nelson | May 4 – May 10
Super 8 East Dallas
Price – $62/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to I-30, downtown Dallas, and Fair Park
OTC Take – Edging closer and closer to staying in an actual trailer park. You can be certain no Diamond suite upgrades will be made available at this Super 8. You’d be wise to swing by Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20% off coupon to pick up some clean sheets before checking in here. Once the budget is rebalanced things will improve.
PGA Championship | May 11 – May 17
Super 8 San Francisco Marina
Price – $194/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown
OTC Take – As much as the family might want to make the trip to San Francisco for the second major of the year, you can NOT allow them to stay with you at this place. If anyone at this Super 8 catches even a whiff of your status as a Diamond member (and PGA Tour player), you’re going to be returning to a room which has been ransacked.
Schwab Challenge | May 18 – May 24
Microtel Inn Ft. Worth
Price – $60/Night
Wyndham Summary – Near Fort Worth Stockyards, Tarrant County Convention Center, and Fort Worth Zoo
OTC Take – After countless shithole hotels / motels it’s become abundantly clear that Wyndham has the worst collection of hotels of every Superchain. You’ve been hoodwinked. Looks like it’ll be another week of itchy sheets, crusty towels and clogged shower drains.
Rocket Mortgage Classic | May 25 – May 31
Caesars Detroit
Price – $209/Night
Wyndham Summary – All-season hotel and casino with an indoor pool, spa, and spectacular shows
OTC Take – The third casino of the year. Having been there myself, I’ll let you know that it’s not anything to write home about. Obviously, I didn’t actually stay at the casino though. I was enjoy the far more luxurious accommodations of the Cadillac Westin, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers who were in town.
The Memorial | June 1 – 7
La Quinta Dublin
Price – $76/Night
Wyndham Summary – Off I-270 near Ohio State University, Columbus Zoo, and downtown
OTC Take – This is starting to get ridiculous. How does the largest hotel ownership group in the country have such a disgraceful portfolio of properties? The upside to this La Quinta in Dublin are the washer and dryer machines they offer (change required). You may need them after spilling a few of the milkshakes at Jack’s place.
US Open | June 15 – 21
Ramada Yonkers
Price – $123/Night
Wyndham Summary – Close to Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino
OTC Take – Another brutal set of options this week for the US Open at Winged Foot. The best property, if you can qualify it as that, is in Yonkers. If you know anything about Westchester County, you know that you don’t want to hang out in Yonkers. However, if you’re a fan of Billions you can swing by the racetrack frequented by Axe. Lastly, if you like Heroin you’ll likely be able to find some from a hotel guest fairly easily.
Travelers Championship | June 22 – 28
Days Inn Berlin Meriden
Price – $60/Night
Wyndham Summary – Hotel is close to Mark Twain House and the Connecticut River
OTC Take – If you’re into time travel, this is the perfect place for you. Not only is everything in this hotel from the late 80’s, but it’s also near a historical site. The Mark Twain House. Take a load off on the plastic chairs at the pool after a tough slog up the road at TPC.
WGC Swamp Ass Invitational | Jun 29 – Jul 5
La Quinta Memphis Graceland
Price – $95/Night
Wyndham Summary – Inviting hotel near Memphis International Airport and Graceland
OTC Take – Keep your historical tours going while staying at this mustard colored Hampton Inn revamp. The Memphis La Quinta is conveniently located near the Graceland Mansion and nearby the Memphis airport. Cocina Mexican Bar & Grill is within walking distance and boasts 4.3 stars on Yelp.
Barracuda Championship | Jun 29 – Jul 5
Harrah’s Reno
Price – $99/Night
Wyndham Summary – A lively downtown hotel with a casino, spa, and endless entertainment
OTC Take – An alternate option if you hate BBQ and love cancer (S/O Kyle Porter). Feel free to skip the St. Jude in Memphis and instead head out west to stay at this iconic hotel in The Biggest Little City in The World. You’ve now completed the Wyndham Casino Mount Rushmore. Congratulations!
There are a few more stops left in the regular season, but at this point, I’m going to advise that you denounce your Diamond status with Wyndham. Trust when I say that it doesn’t get better. Leverage the Diamond for a status match challenge with Marriott and stop living like a broke Narcos Tour player. You deserve better.