2019 fan guide: 13 things every smart Wells Fargo Championship patron should know before visiting Quail Hollow Club

The forecast calls for mostly sunny mid-80 degree weather. Tickets start at $55/day.

Looking for how to get the most out of your visit to the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship? Good news, I recently teed up at Quail (shot an 85 by the way) and just walked the course yesterday in order to give you the full scoop. Here’s what you need to know.

(1) Tiger Woods is skipping the tournament — but we’ll still have Phil and Rory.

Who’s playing: 12 of the top 30 players in the world will tee it up at Quail Hollow. The list includes Justin Rose (2), Rory McIlroy (4), Rickie Fowler (10), Paul Casey (13), Jason Day (14), Tony Finau (15), Patrick Reed (19), Webb Simpson (20), Phil Mickelson (23), Gary Woodland (24), Hideki Matsuyama (27) and Sergio Garcia (29). View tee times here.

(2) If you want to go directly to the course, take an Uber or bike.

Since there is no public parking at Quail Hollow Club, I recommend taking an Uber. They have a pick-up/drop-off area that’s just down the street from the main gate.

If you’re taking the light rail, they’ll have shuttles running from the Sharon Road West light rail station.

Also, think about biking there. I’m serious. The tournament has a bicycle rack in the gravel parking lot across from the main entrance.

If you’re driving, you’ll need to find a spot at one of the satellite lots and then take a shuttle to the course. Additional shuttle locations include: Carowinds, Ballantyne Corporate Park, SouthPark, All American Pub and Uptown.

Here’s a full transportation breakdown.

(3) Yes, you can now text and capture video on your phone.

The tournament has updated its cell phone policy last year so that you can maximize your likes and make your friends jealous that you’re watching Phil as they’re watching Netflix.

Better keep that thing on silent though.

(4) Beer prices: Bud Lights cost $8, Stellas cost $9 and Wicked Weed’s Napoleon Complex will run you $11. Draft beer is available at the All American Pub setup near the 10th green.

Beer options: Multiple stands throughout the course offer Michelob Ultra, Bud Heavy, Bud Light, Good Island IPA, Shock Top, Stella Artois and Napoleon Complex. It’s $8 for domestic can, $9 for premium domestics and $11 for craft beer.

All American Pub is the only spot that offers draft beer. What’s on draft? Wicked Weed’s Pernicious, Goose Island’s next Coast IPA, Gold Roads Mango Cart, Devil’s Backbone Gold Leaf Lager and Stella Artois (all $11 on draft).

(5) If you’re looking to get wine drunk, hit up the William Hill Estate Wine Deck.

This Napa-based winery has a concession stand located near the 17th tee.

View: I love the vantage point, rocking chairs and intimacy at the William Hill Estate Deck. You view the green on hole #16 and you’ll have a full view of tee shots on #17. Oh, and the rocking chairs with a bar 5 feet away is not a bad touch.

Beverages: Sunseeker Rosè ($10), La Marca Prosecco ($10) and wine ($11). You can also find these options all over the course, and this concession stand also has mixed drinks, snacks and beer.

(6) If you’re just looking to party, hit up the area called “QC Village” behind #17 green and near #10 green.

PR translation:  In a statement, the tournament said, “This has become a popular place for the younger crowd” which translated means, “This is where people go to day drink and party.”

Along with normal concessions, QC Village features All American Pub and Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge.

Signature Tito’s cocktails include The Country Club Cooler (Tito’s with grape juice and sprite), The Wedge (Tito’s and lemonade) and The Mulligan Mary (Tit’s and bloody mary mix). All are $13.

(7) Birdie Watch: The two most exciting holes to watch are #7, a reachable par 5 with water along the right, and #14, a drivable par 4 with water along the left.

If you’re looking to watch challenging holes, you can’t beat watching on the tough 16th, 17th and 18th holes — known as “The Green Mile.”

Side note: Ric Elias, the CEO of Red Ventures, lives along the 7th hole and has a full basketball court at this house (he did not invite me to his birthday party which featured a private concert from Justin Timberlake). Oh, speaking of CEOs, Doug Lebda, the CEO at LendingTree also lives along Quail Hollow Golf Club (I think his house is on hole #14).

(8) Skip the normal food concessions and go with one of the five food truck options or JJ’s Red Hots.

You’ll find several concession stands throughout the course. Here’s the menu: classic cheeseburger ($9), Italian sausage ($8), jumbo hot dog ($5), Chick-fil-A sandwich ($8), garden salad ($9), veggie wrap ($10), roasted turkey wrap ($11) and classic Italian hoagie ($11).

I recommend going with a dog from JJ’s Red Hots (located on Event Hill near the 18th green) or grabbing food from one of the food trucks on the 16th fairway.

JJ’s options: No. 1 Red Hot – hot relish, mustard, dill pickle spear ($6); The Char Heel – house-made chili, slaw and yellow mustard ($6); Chili Cheese Coney – house-made chili and shredded cheese ($6); and Polish Sausage with sauerkraut and deli mustard ($8).

Food truck pick: Go with the American beauty slider, throwback slider and jalapeño slider  from the Queen City Sliders food truck.

Finish the meal with an ice cream from Golden Cow, which will also be on site.

(9) Don’t be scared to bring your kiddos.

Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult ticket holder. Yes, free.

There will also be a Kid’s Village near Champions Park located between 9 and 10 fairways where you should expect interactive games including Golfzilla, an inflatable designed for kids to hit golf balls into.

Range: The tournament also has a designated fenced-in area at the driving range for children under 12 to view players warming up. Parents are not allowed in this area but can watch nearby.

Poop: Everybody poops, especially your child. The tournament understands this and there is a Levine Children’s Hospital Family Care Center with diaper changing stations in the Green Mile Village on the 16th fairway.

(10) If you bank with Wells Fargo, you get access to the Wells Fargo Customer Lounge right off the tee box on hole #1.

Setup: Inside you’ll find premium viewing, a private cash bar and concessions, fancy restrooms, air conditioning, free water, TVs and phone charging stations. It’s not super fancy, but it’s nice to have.

It’s located near the #1 tee and you just have to show your credit/debit card or app. It does have a great view of the tee shot on this long, hard par 4.

(11) There’s a concert after play on Saturday.

On Saturday after the last group finishes, 20 RIDE — which described itself as America’s No. 1 Zac Brown tribute band  — will perform a concert on the Event Hill located between the Clubhouse and the 18th green.

In honor of the Kentucky Derby, you can buy specialty drink options. It’s free for everyone with a ticket on Saturday.

(12) The merchandise tent is near the entrance/exit and has a mix of Quail Hollow and Wells Fargo Golf Championship gear.

I’m digging the new 2019 hats.

(13) No, you’re not allowed in the Quail Hollow Club pool even though you’re going to want to take a dip after walking the course in the 80-degree weather.