Torrey Pines Setup For the US Open
The Torrey Pines Golf Course boasts dramatic coastline views
San Diego to host first US Open Championship
By Martin Olivera
The countdown started a few years ago, when the United States Golf Association selected the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course (South) as the venue for the 2008 US Open. Some may even argue that the countdown actually started back in 1999 when a group of local entrepreneurs and visionaries put their minds and funding together, and hired
US Open doctor architect Rees Jones to extensively renovate the South course in 2001. Regardless, both – the South and North – courses at Torrey Pines will look different when it comes to the US Open.
"We've been actually preparing for two tournaments, the Buick Invitational (January) and the US Open (June)" said Mark Woodward, City Golf Operations Manager. The grasses on greens and fairways have been changed. Bunkers were added to the 6th hole, and the fairway on the 4th hole was moved 15 yards west which will bring the cliffs more into play.
The course setup for each competition is not quite the same. For the Buick the South course is a par-72, abput 7,400 yards long with manageable rough; for the Open it will be a par-71 -- the 6th hole will play as a par-4 – about 7,600 yards in length, with the usual "US Open" rough and lightning-fast greens. At the Buick, the PGA TOUR professionals play one round on the North course, and three on the South; whereas at the Open all four rounds will be played on the South course.
But the North course will also play a very important part during the US Open, even if not as a playing venue. It will be home for a merchandise tent covering roughly 40,000 square-feet, corporate tents, and the media center. The Ocean Village and the Torrey Pines Village will occupy the 4th and 18th fairways, respectively. Other areas of this course will be allocated to a driving range and practice, and parking.
"No doubt this (US Open) will be one of the most important events that ever took place in San Diego" said the affable Woodward. What was surprisingly encouraging was the response from the volunteer ranks. "We have about 6,000 volunteers for outside-the-ropes work, and 2,000 on the waiting list.”
All systems are "go". The US Open process is well underway and on schedule. Added Woodward: "My goal right now is to do a good enough job for the upcoming Open so the USGA will want to come back in the future." Given the local support this event is getting, Sandiegans should indeed expect a successful 2008, and a return in the future.
