Shadow Creek Golf Course – Aramco Championship LPGA Tournament Review

by Aaron G. Beebe | @GonnaHappen

I just wrapped up working the Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek Golf Course, and this one was special.

First off—the course itself. Shadow Creek isn’t just a golf course, it’s a man-made oasis in the desert, originally built by Steve Wynn. Everything about it feels elevated—from the landscaping to the privacy to the history. Even small details like the Wynn dolphin memorial markers near the 17th hole remind you this place has a story behind it.

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The Walk – Inside the Ropes ⛳️

Day 1:

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Hyo Joo Choi, Carlota Ciganda

Day 3:

Nelly Korda, Miyu Yamashita

Day 4:

Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Miyu Yamashita

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Every group brought something different.

Nelly Korda – Always a fan favorite for me to walk with. Honestly felt like a blessing that day. Calm, focused, and completely in control of her game. I’ve walked with her three times this year, and she’s always consistent and respectful. The crowds that follow her are great—and the camera and pressure and stress of doing the best I can for her never seems bothered me. I always hope the camera capture people like me behind the scenes too who walk and help her.

Miyu Yamashita – Incredible focus. You could feel the media presence around her—Asian TV and Golf Channel were locked in. Her putting is usually dialed, but Shadow Creek’s heavy, sloped greens made it a real challenge. Still, her composure stands out always sold locked in focus.

Hyo Joo Choi – One of the most respectful players I’ve seen. Always smiling, engaging, and appreciative. Even her family was kind and supportive. I’ve walked with her twice this year, and she carries herself with real class.

Carlota Ciganda – Extremely competitive and hard on herself at times, but when she finds her rhythm and starts making birdies, everything shifts. It makes you think about how hard we can be on ourselves sometimes. Why was even stressing...

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard – Steady, technical, and sharp. The European players are always great to walk with and love it—you know what you’re getting, and they bring a great presence. Always positive energy and I there fun and relaxed. 

Nanna Koerstz Madsen – Quiet, focused, and locked in. She prefers it calm and respectful—and she’s earned that. When things get loud and we’re short on marshals, I always step up and help quiet the crowd for players like her. That extra focus matters. They appreciate it.

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What People Don’t See

One thing people don’t always realize is what happens inside the ropes.

As a Standard Bearer, you’re not just holding a sign. Sometimes you’re helping like a Marshal—managing the crowd, keeping things quiet, and helping players and caddies stay focused. When volunteers are short, you step up. For me I always try wait for the player if they hit the rest room just to make sure they feel secure and then run to catch up.

And yeah… sometimes you wonder if it’s appreciated. Sometimes the crowed heckle you

But then a player, caddie, or even a family member shows a small moment of respect—and it reminds you that it does matter.

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The Experience

The weather was great—just a little breezy. Compared to the extreme heat at other tournaments, this one felt balanced.

This event also stood out because we received recognition certificates for volunteering, which was a really nice touch and appreciated.

Shadow Creek itself is a course most people will never get to see—it’s truly a hidden oasis built from nothing in the desert. There’s a deeper history there too, and connections that go beyond just golf.

I also met some great people—scorers, staff, and families following along. One of the scorers on Day 4 was amazing, and her husband works at Shadow Creek. People like that keep everything running smoothly.

Big thanks to James and Carol Dianna and other I forgot their names... as well— they are very supportive. I’ll walk for their teams anytime.

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The Miles Add Up 👣

So far this season:

TOC at Lake Nona (2 days)

50+ miles at Sharon Heights (including double days)

4 full days at Whirlwind

3 rounds at Shadow Creek

That’s well over 100+ miles walked this season—and every step teaches something.

One thing I’ll be honest about—I almost never stay for the trophy ceremony. By the end of the day, I’m exhausted and just head back to rest. I’m not even sure if volunteers are supposed to stay, but I probably should one of these times.

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Final Thoughts

I don’t worry about cameras or crowds—I’ve been around entertainment long enough. Maybe I end up in the background or have photos or footage out there on Golf Channel, ESPN, or LPGA media channels… maybe not. But it’s always cool when you do.

I don’t ask for autographs or selfies maybe I should—I just work hard and hope maybe one day the players remember my effort and say hay remember you and do something special.

And I’ll be honest—when I see players struggle, get emotional, or be hard on themselves… it hits me too. You feel it when you’re out there walking with them. I can tell more about this from entertainment aspect but it adjust the story😉

Because this is bigger than golf.

It’s about:

Learning the game.

Respecting the process.

And understanding you’re always one swing—or one step—away from something better.

That applies to life too.

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Congratulations to Lauren Coughlin and all the players this week—unreal talent across the board.

And thank you to every player I walked with—I truly appreciate you all. 🏆⛳️

#LPGA #AramcoChampionship #ShadowCreek #InsideTheRopes #GonnaHappen #AaronGBeebe #GolfLife #NeverQuit