[John Foley]

Here is a little excersize. We've heard some pan LaCosta as a boring place. Lets say we have the ability to move it to a new venue. Where do we take the WGC - Match Play Championship to given these caveats:

-It must be public or resort access (thinking is that it will add revenue in the future to the place)

-It must be played at the same time of the year. (Alas - no northern courses)

-It's location has to fit into the PGA tours idea of transition (last on the west coast or first on the east coast) No running up to have them play @ Bandon/Pacific in 50+ gailes.

Where do nominate Mr. Finchem take his outing? Here are a few of my nominations:

- Sea Island GA - Lets see what Mr. Fazio's work-up of Mr. Colts design looks like to the pro's.
- Barona - Strech that thing out to 7500+ yards and see how it holds up. Love to see the pro's play #3 from about 270+
- Great Waters - Seem to recall some very good holes that accentuate match play from the previous telecasts.
- World Woods - Pine Barrens. Even though I think the pro's may tear it up, it has potential to be a very good match play course.

Those are mine, lets hear yours.

[peter_p]

Cabo San Lucas

[Joe Perches]

I'd like to see it at Bandon/Pacific, but I can't imagine the PGA going there in February.

How about the SCPGA Champions course in Calimesa?

http://www.scpgagolf.com/general/html/home.html

Pleasant but still interesting Schmidt/Curley course.
http://www.schmidt-curley.com/index.html

7400 from the back tees.

Good contours, greens and ability to host with proximity to Palm Springs.
Still get a fair bit of wind in February too.

[A_Clay_Man]

John- I cant get behind your first caveat.

It must be public or resort access (thinking is that it will add revenue in the future to the place)

Either the course is worthy or it isn't. Future revenue? c'mon, theres no way to gaurantee that.

I'd add Talkng stick Norte and Apache. At least give these guys a chance to be shotmakers.

[Chris Kane]

Given that its a "World" Golf Championship event, how about holding it outside America?  I think the players would be less reluctant to travel when $US7m is on offer.

[John Foley]

Adam,

All I meant by my caveat was to avoid the inclusion of the great private tracks that people would suggest that most of us never see. The comment about thinking it would add revenue would be the kicker that these places would actuually open their arms to this comcept. Isn't that the reason their at LaCosta in the first place? It sure ain't for the fantastic quality of the course.

Pete
Like the Cabo suggestion alot!!

[Danny Goss]

I agree with Chris. If its a so called "world" championship hold it outside America. It was held in Melbourne a few years ago but not well supported by the Ameican pros who are too soft and pampered to leave home - even for millions.
And I include Tiger in that. Surely these guys owe something to the game.  
The game is played outside the US in case nobody noticed and there is no doubt that better courses than those dished up each week on the US tour could be found quite easily.

[Pete Buczkowski]

John:

I wanted to start a similar thread a few days ago but was too timid.  I wish they could move the date so the classic courses could be brought into the mix.  February in San Diego is usually very wet.

In 2001 at Metropolitan, so many of the top Americans skipped the event (incl. Tiger Woods) that they had to go down to #120-something in the world to fill the 64 spots.  The final was Steve Stricker v. Pierre Fulke, and drew horrible ratings.  Ernie Els was a stand-up guy and called out many of the top players, but look what happened this year.    They just don't want to take a chance that they'll travel 8,000 miles or so to play 1 match.  I wish that were not the mindset, but the top 60 players in the world make so much money that the payday simply isn't worth it to them.

Bad news is that La Costa is set to hold the event for at least the next 2 years.  My guess is as long as Tiger plays the event & continues to make the finals, they won't move it.  Let's face it, the majority of golf viewers want Tiger and don't care where they play.

I am not clear for the reason re: public access.  Many of the other WGC events have been played at private courses (Firestone, Sahalee, Crabapple).  I am sure more fans would attend in another locale since the San Diego area has 2 tournaments within 3 weeks, not to mention that the other tournament is just up the road at Riviera..

I will second the Cabo and WWPB suggestions.  Other possibilities in the States:

- Cuscowilla / Reynolds Plantation
- Vegas (Shadow Creek, Wolf Creek, etc.)
- PGA West
- Kiawah

Pete

[FREEMAHC]

I'd love ot see it at kiawah - either The Ocean Course, or Cassique. Both would be intriguing.

[A_Clay_Man]

John- No problemo, I just see the "price" they pay for the revenue aspect.

These types of fiduciary decisions have watered down the product.

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

I'd love ot see it at kiawah - either The Ocean Course, or Cassique. Both would be intriguing.

We get a lot of people calling The Ocean Course one of the top match play courses around because there's so much risk/reward options.  Plus, many think it's just too hard for stroke play where even with three benign days (and one brutally windy day) scores for this year's World Cup were about 10 strokes higher than the previous year's World Cup.

[johnk]

Let's give the pros a fair shake on Metropolitan, as great a course as it is, the dates were not ideal at all, right after New Year's (Jan 3 - 7) during the traditional off-season.  

Melbourne in early March may have attracted about 50% more of the pros eligible.

How about:

Riviera - two weeks in a row!
Barona Creek
Austin CC
Seminole

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