[Matt Bielawa]

Interesting that the PGA Championship hasn't been further west than Tulsa since 1998 (Sahalee), and has no West Coast sites on the schedule through 2019.  It will have been at least 21 years since the PGA has been played in the Pacific Time Zone.  During that same 21 year period, there will have been 6 US Opens in the Pacific Time Zone, and if you stretch it a few more years, 8 times in 24 years.  I'm not a west-coaster and don't have any bias, but it seems curious that the PGA is snubbing that part of the country?

[Kyle Casella]

I think that it's even more curious given the increases in ratings typical during a West Coast US Open due to the prime time finish. Is it a venue problem or bias?

[Matt Bielawa]

That's the real question.  Have they just been out-played by the USGA who has a strangle-hold on Pebble, Torrey, Olympic, and Chambers, leaving no course that the PGA considers major worthy and major capable?  Or are they concerned with competing with the USGA for sponsor money around these geographies and playing 2nd fiddle to the Opens in the eyes of corporate decision-makers?  They've used Riv and Sahalee in the past.  Not sure what other courses might be able and willing to host.  L.A. is untapped by the USGA and could be an option if they can find a willing host.

[Kyle Casella]

Riviera would be great. I have been to the Northern Trust Open a few times and used to live nearby and unfortunately it seems that the logistics of that area would make a larger event more difficult.

[Howard Riefs]

Word is that the PGA was eyeing Torrey and it forced the USGA's hand in awarding it the 2021 US Open:


The view from here is that the USGA had a really nice girlfriend in Torrey Pines, and when another suitor showed interest, it busted out the roses and Godiva chocolate. It wasn’t going to let Torrey get into another guy’s car. San Diego was too valuable, with its previous record sales, and prime time TV ratings and its years-long public merchandise windfall.

Ted Bishop, the current president of the PGA, said as much in a discussion in December here in San Diego. He offered that the PGA would have loved to stage a major at Torrey Pines, but by then the USGA was already deep in negotiations and had a tight grip.

Acknowledging the PGA’s interest, USGA President Tom O’Toole Jr. said on Monday, “We don’t operate in a vacuum. We negotiate and have discussions with our clubs about what we and our championship can do for a community. We didn’t feel threatened one way or another.”


http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Mar/11/us-open-torrey-pines-usga-tiger-woods/

[Dwight Phelps]

Riviera would be great. I have been to the Northern Trust Open a few times and used to live nearby and unfortunately it seems that the logistics of that area would make a larger event more difficult.

Wasn't there a problem with the greens at Riviera during the 1995 PGA?  C&C had been brought in the revamp the greens, but there were timing issues and disagreements (or something) and the greens ended up being pretty bad during the tournament.  Maybe that left a bad taste in the mouth of the PGA for Riv.

Not sure what other options they have.

[Joel_Stewart]

The greens at Riviera are perfect.  1995 was a long time ago.

The point of West Coast venues is the issue. 

Pumpkin Ridge in Portland might be the best option although they want a US Open.

Gold Mountain in Seattle?

Del Paso in Sacramento is hosting the US Senior Open in 2015 and might work.  I'm not sure they have the parking and facilities to host a PGA.

Spyglass has always wanted to host a major.

[Dwight Phelps]

The greens at Riviera are perfect.  1995 was a long time ago.

True, but since then, at least 4 other sites have hosted the PGA twice.  Not saying the Riv greens aren't currently great, just that the perception of 1995 could sour some decision makers on the site, justly or not.

[David_Tepper]

I may be mistaken, but I recall that the PGA was very disappointed with the low attendance when the PGA was held at Riviera in 1995.

[Matthew Essig]

I may be mistaken, but I recall that the PGA was very disappointed with the low attendance when the PGA was held at Riviera in 1995.

But 2020 would be 25 years after.... There are changes in a population over 25 years. I am sure it would be very popular now.

[Matthew Rose]

Spyglass would be interesting for a PGA.

Considering it only gets one round during the AT&T and isn't shown on TV much, it might be nice to finally see it in the spotlight over four full days after all these years.

[Joel_Stewart]

Spyglass would be interesting for a PGA.

Considering it only gets one round during the AT&T and isn't shown on TV much, it might be nice to finally see it in the spotlight over four full days after all these years.

Not to thread jack about Spyglass, but the Pebble Beach company has some big plans for Spyglass when they take full control in a few years.  It appears they are going to reverse the nines as well as remodel the Spyglass members clubhouse into the main clubhouse.

[Sven Nilsen]

Pretty sure Brad Klein did a write up of the 1995 situation out at Riviera in one of his books.  From what I remember it was a bit of a perfect storm of bad decisions and timing.

I wonder if Riviera has any interest in turning the course over to the USGA or PGA for a summer event.  As soured as the PGA may have been from the '95 experience, the membership might have the same feelings.

If you take Olympic out of the equation, what NorCal courses would offer the best sites considering the logistics of holding a tournament of this scale?  Harding Park?

Sven

[David_Tepper]

"If you take Olympic out of the equation, what NorCal courses would offer the best sites considering the logistics of holding a tournament of this scale?  Harding Park?"

Sven N. -

I think the consensus is that Harding does not have the capacity/infrastructure (driving range, practice/warm-up areas, corporate tents, etc.) to host a full-field event with 140+ players. Aside from Olympic, I am not sure any quality NorCal course really does.

It will be interesting to see how the US Women's Open goes when it is played at Cordevalle in a few years.

DT

  

[Kyle Casella]

Pretty sure Brad Klein did a write up of the 1995 situation out at Riviera in one of his books.  From what I remember it was a bit of a perfect storm of bad decisions and timing.

I wonder if Riviera has any interest in turning the course over to the USGA or PGA for a summer event.  As soured as the PGA may have been from the '95 experience, the membership might have the same feelings.

If you take Olympic out of the equation, what NorCal courses would offer the best sites considering the logistics of holding a tournament of this scale?  Harding Park?

Sven

That's an interesting point about the membership at Riv. I guess I automatically assumed they would be ok with it given they already have a tour event.

Harding is a logical choice and I think Spyglass would be great. I also wonder about the renovated Poppy Hills as a potential venue given they are no longer on the AT&T rota. I don't really know about any of the remaining SF or South Bay clubs. Seems that length of course, logistics, and membership weed out a lot of contenders other than Harding. Is CordeValle a contender if they eventually move the Fry's to the Institute? Seems like the scores from the Fry's are probably lower than they would want for a PGA. I would guess that Johnny Miller will try to lure the PGA to Napa (especially after NBC loses US Open coverage), but it might be too far out of the population center for them. They certainly have the capacity up there at Silverado with the two golf courses to set up a large hospitality facility.

[Kyle Casella]

PS- David good point of capacity at Harding, I forgot that the WGC event was limited field.

[Dwight Phelps]

Pretty sure Brad Klein did a write up of the 1995 situation out at Riviera in one of his books.  From what I remember it was a bit of a perfect storm of bad decisions and timing.

That's where I heard about it first (not a golfer in 1995) - it was in Rough Meditations.

[John McCarthy]

What about Colorado Golf Club?  Maybe not west coast but might get inti prime time.

[Matthew Rose]

Spyglass would be interesting for a PGA.

Considering it only gets one round during the AT&T and isn't shown on TV much, it might be nice to finally see it in the spotlight over four full days after all these years.

Not to thread jack about Spyglass, but the Pebble Beach company has some big plans for Spyglass when they take full control in a few years.  It appears they are going to reverse the nines as well as remodel the Spyglass members clubhouse into the main clubhouse.

Interesting. I know that would make a lot of people here happy, since they've always lamented the fact the dune holes were over so early in the round....

[Matthew Rose]

What about Colorado Golf Club?  Maybe not west coast but might get inti prime time.

This.

[Pete_Pittock]

Silverado has a PGA tour event (Fry's) this fall. Could be a test.

[Mark Steffey]

PGA West.

sure it may hit 105 in late august, but it's a dry heat!   

[Matthew Rose]

Silverado has a PGA tour event (Fry's) this fall. Could be a test.

Has Johnny Miller done his changes there yet?

[mike_beene]

Probably wouldn't work in the middle of the high season,but a Broadmoor East or Ross composite would be able to support infrastructure and get Colorado Springs behind it. Thunderstorms on front range in August are an issue.

[Keith Doleshel]

The North course at Silverado was the one that Miller's team did the work on.  I haven't played it, but apparently it's a pretty fair golf course.  The South course is way too short for tour players.

Spyglass seems the most logical venue in Northern California.  Agree with infrastructure concerns regarding Harding Park.

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