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Sure, San Diego's perfect weather makes it so golf can be played 12 months
out of the year (and there's nothing better than boasting to someone in
Minnesota that you just finished 18 holes in the middle of January --
wearing shorts!). But February is a special month because many of the
world's best golfers make it to our corner of the world when the PGA Tour's
West Coast Swing has not one but two stops in the San Diego area.
The
Buick Invitational
First on the schedule is the Buick Invitational (Feb. 10-16). Held at
scenic Torrey Pines North and South Golf Courses, the Buick has long been
significant as it is one of the few PGA tournaments held at municipal
facility. Last year saw the unveiling of a beefier and brawnier Torrey
Pines South, thanks to renowned course architect Rees Jones' makeover.
And with the USGA awarding the 2008 U.S. Open to Torrey Pines, the Buick
Invitational has more prestige than ever.
Not that the tournament
needed to attract top players: in recent years, some of the biggest names
on the PGA Tour have won at Torrey Pines, including Phil Mickelson, Davis
Love III, and defending champion Jose Maria Olazabel. Oh, and did we mention
the best player in the universe Tiger Woods, who won in 1999 and has played
the tournament every year since he turned pro (and placing in the top
five in five tries)?
Torrey Pines holds special
significance for Southern California native Woods, as it is a course he's
played and conquered ever since his years on the junior golf circuit.
But this year holds even more importance because the Buick will be Tiger's
2003 PGA Tour debut, due to off-season knee surgery. So all eyes, especially
the sports media, will be on this year's tournament to see if the great
one can notch a win out of the gate.
Buick
Invitational Facts:
- The tournament started
in 1952 as the San Diego Open and was played on five different courses
in 15 years before finding a permanent home at Torrey Pines in 1968.
- Among its many often
unwieldy names over the years, it was known as the Andy Williams San
Diego Open (AWSDO) for years. Buick took on the sponsorship in 1992,
and the quality of the tournament has risen markedly, thanks in no small
part to the presence of one named Tiger Woods.
- Among the former
winners over the years: Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom
Weiskopf, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Mark O'Meara.
- Local knowledge plays
a big part in having success at Torrey. Past winners include a number
of present or former Southern California/ San Diego residents: Tiger
Woods, Phil Mickelson (3 times), Scott Simpson, Gene Littler, Craig
Stadler, Billy Casper.
- Torrey Pines actually
consists of two courses, the North and South. The tournament is played
on both courses the first two days (players alternate each day); after
the cut, the tournament finishes the last two days on the tougher South
Course.
- Torrey Pines was
a bit of a push-over for the PGA pros (although it was plenty tough
for hackers like myself). But when Rees Jones completed his renovation
of the South course in 2002, he created a U.S. Open-worthy monster that
measures over a whopping 7,800 yards from the tips, if needed (the Buick
will play from around 7,600 yards).
- After playing the
redesigned course, a formerly skeptical Tiger Woods said "they've
done a heck of a job. I like it...I think this is a wonderful venue
for (the U.S. Open)."
- The general public
can actually play the course - or torture themselves - with the tournament
tees and pins the day after the conclusion. A lottery is conducted for
the privilege.
- I personally have
played the South course in pre- and post-tournament conditions. It is
brutal. And that was before the Rees Jones makeover! As the commercials
say, "These guys are good!"
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