by Todd Dobson
For a golf league early in its life cycle, these events genuinely feel like they carry tradition and have earned the respect of its players. The players may say it’s the most “fun” they’ve ever had on a golf course, but it’s clear that “fun” refers to chasing down an elusive trophy on a grand stage in front of thousands of people.
Head Greenskeeper Scott Hebert said it best before the start of the final round when asked what it would take to win: “Gotta play the topography, put the ball in the right spot, and let God do the rest.” It lends credence to the idea that this league really is an any given Sunday league. Do the things right that you can control, then sit back and hope you’re in favor with the golf gods. In other words, anyone truly has a chance to win, and that’s special. It sets the stage for stories of triumph and defeat while laying the foundation for a league that can endure for the next 100 years.
As I write this article, I do so filled with optimism and hope, hope for the future, and the belief that, among all that is transpiring in the game of golf, Grass League has a meaningful place in it.
Quick & Weworski – A Mix of Brilliance and Destiny
Before each tournament, it’s easy to try and will a dramatic outcome into existence, a Billy Hanes 40 foot putt in extra holes, or an elated Drew Kittleson celebrating after a winning putt, but sometimes there is beauty in brilliance. Tiger Woods 2000 U.S. Open win at Pebble Beach Golf Links by 15 shots comes to mind. Maybe not dramatic, but historic nonetheless. We saw that same kind of brilliance this past weekend from a pair of golfers and a franchise that had come so close in the past.
Austin Quick and Tyler Weworski are best friends by way of golf. Quick played four years collegiately at Arizona State University alongside world phenom Jon Rahm, who has openly said that Quick has all the talent in the world. He played professionally on both the Latin America Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour for several years before hanging up the cleats for an everyday job.
Weworski signed with Texas Tech University after being named Southern California Player of the Year in high school. He also spent several years competing on the Latin America Tour and Korn Ferry Tour before deciding to move on from professional golf when COVID hit.
Both Quick and Weworski always had the talent and résumé to reach the pinnacle of the sport, but like everything in golf, it often comes down to timing, and sometimes luck. In many ways, the story of how they met came down to timing and luck.
They met while crammed into a puddle jumper en route to Argentina between Latin America Tour events. By chance, they were seated next to each other and struck up a conversation about what had brought each of them to that final destination, another golf tournament.
At that point, both had begun to feel the slow, inevitable resentment that can grow toward the game. Flying around South America alone, chasing a distant dream for pennies on the dollar, can slowly kill a man’s love for golf.
Not on this plane, though.
The two swapped stories, offered advice, and even agreed to share a hotel room for the upcoming tournament. In short, they became lifelong friends.
The story comes full circle at Grass League. Austin Quick was recruited in early 2024 by Phoenix United ownership to help lead the new franchise on and off the golf course as the new league took shape. Quick played in the inaugural event as team captain, of course alongside former Latin America Tour roommate Tyler Weworski. The two share mixed emotions about the 2024 Grass Clippings Open, where they lost in an extra hole playoff to eventual champions Drew Kittleson and Bryan Hoops of the Minnesota Muskies. Standing on the 18th green following the tournament, they were excited for the future of Grass League, but at the same time realized they may never be in that position again.
Two years later, the hype surrounding the “almost” Grass Clippings Open champions had faded. Every event following the 2024 GCO was more disappointing than the last, so much so that the pair was split up and each sat out a tournament or two.
After Phoenix United endured a disappointing 2025 season, the idea was floated that they reunite once more. For old times’ sake. The idea felt magical and, in many ways, hard to comprehend. They went on to set the Grass League two day scoring record at (-23) and became the first duo to shoot back to back rounds of (-10) or better.
Tasked with “protecting the course,” I asked Greenskeeper Scott Hebert what he thought the winning score would be before the final round, and he confidently said (-18). In a way, he was right. Three groups tied for second at (-17), but one group got loose. (-23) and a six shot victory is both brilliant and baffling.
Grass League has reignited Quick and Weworski’s spirit for the game, and potentially their careers.
“I didn’t think we had a chance this week,” Austin said after the win. It just goes to show that sometimes the golf gods have different plans, and some things are that of destiny.
