June 3, 2008 -- It may not be a major championship but many people think that the Stanford St. Jude Championship, this week's PGA Tour stop, is one of the most important tournaments on the calendar. PGA Head Professional Jon Goin of the host course, TPC Southwind, talked with PGA.com about the layout, the tournament, and no matter who is holding the trophy on Sunday, why this tournament already has some very important winners.

PGA.com: What is the key to winning at the TPC Southwind course?

TPC Southwind is a crowd and player favorite on The PGA Tour. (Getty Images)

Goin: Pray that the wind doesn't blow. Really, it's a good golf challenge, and in 2006 it was the second hardest course in terms of scoring average. It's not really one thing but a combination of several. The first is the ability to hit greens because they are small here. Secondly, a player must be able to make putts coming down the stretch to win.

PGA.com: This isn't the first TPC course you have worked at. What makes this course unique compared to other TPC courses?

Goin: That's a tough question. When I think about the TPC courses I think about the 17th at Sawgrass and the 16th at Scottsdale. We are the lost jewel among the TPC courses, but we are a well-kept secret here in the Memphis area. People will enjoy watching and playing a course that is a tough challenge, and that is exactly what we have here at Southwind.

PGA.com: This tournament makes a lot of donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. How does it feel knowing that your tournament is benefitting so many children who need help?

Goin: It is very rewarding to see what the hospital has done for the kids. We love to help the kids in anyway possible and this tournament is a great benefit for doing that. In fact, I believe we are the only Tour event that keeps the charity name in the title of the event.

PGA.com: I would imagine that a lot of these children have golfers that they look up to and idolize. Do you ever get calls from children or parents at the hospital asking you if they could meet their idol at the tournament?

Goin: We don't really get those kinds of requests. It's not because we don't want to help them, but because most of the Tour players come to Memphis and the Stanford St. Jude Championship and take time out of their busy schedule to visit the hospital and spend some time with the kids. It is a great experience for both the players and the kids.

PGA.com: The Memphis basketball team was almost able to pull off the win for the national championship. The fan support for the team was amazing. How have the fans in the area taken to this event?

Goin: It is a great time of the year for sports in Memphis. There are a lot of events and activities in Memphis the month before the tournament and it all culminates with the playing of the tournament. It is a great situation to be in for the tournament and the fans. Even though we have had great fan support in years past, this year we are one of the few events letting kids in when accompanied by an adult. That is going to create a great family atmosphere.

PGA.com: Being in Memphis the first thing I think about is barbecue, why should I be thinking about golf instead of barbecue?

Goin: Even though barbecue is big in Memphis, the Stanford St. Jude Championship has raised the standard of golf. They are helping bring in the best fields we've ever had, and that is enough to get people thinking about golf instead of barbecue.