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Anthony_Nysse

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LaCosta
« on: February 23, 2005, 06:39:16 AM »
   Is it me, or does it seem like LaCosta is flooded one day during the tournament every year? I've never been to LaCosta, but the creek that runs through the golf course must be one huge water shed because when it rains, they always seems to have several holes under water!! Maybe some of the SoCal guys know-Thanks
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Anthony J. Nysse
Director of Golf Courses & Grounds
Apogee Club
Hobe Sound, FL

James Edwards

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2005, 07:39:24 AM »
Check out the BBC website and Vijah Singh's comments about the flooding and Allenbys comment about the course.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/4286119.stm
« Last Edit: February 23, 2005, 07:42:09 AM by James J.S Edwards »
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Chris Munoz

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2005, 08:57:44 AM »
It seems to me every year we go through this same problem.  Delays after delays.  I think the PGATOUR should heavily consider changing the venue of the World Match Play Tournament.  Any of you guys have courses that could handle match play and the field size?  

Chris (Muni)
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Christian C. Munoz
Assistant Superintendent Corales
PUNTACANA Resort & Club
www.puntacana.com

Jeff_Mingay

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2005, 09:10:59 AM »
How about PGA West in 2007?

That might be kinda interesting...
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jeffmingay.com

Michael Wharton-Palmer

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2005, 09:21:01 AM »
James, you beat me to the punch..but they are right.
The golf course is ordinary at best, and with all the potential venues available for a "world" golf event..it is a shame that it is at La costa again.
How refreshing it would be to have the event at a traditional/classic course like Bel Air which the pros would love and marvel at what good design is all about.
They could stay at the same hotel as last week..they would love it!
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James Edwards

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2005, 09:21:48 AM »
I was thinking this the other day... why can't they play there matchplay tournaments on the shorter courses which have become obsolete?  Like the Merion's of this world?  It would be far more enjoyable for tv to see guys halving holes with exciting birdies... and it also means that we get to see these great places.
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Michael Wharton-Palmer

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2005, 09:28:12 AM »
James my point exactly, but to use some of the classic courses of the east would mean changing the dates of the event, and that may be a little too progressive for the pga tour.
That is why I chose Bel Air.
However PGA West is more likely, another feast of modern golf course architecture..lots of water..big bunkers and tricked up penal trouble spots...lovely ;D
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Steve_ Shaffer

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2005, 09:31:53 AM »
As mentioned before, I think the sponsor-Accenture-has significant input in site selection for this tournament. They like the resort, the players wives like the resort and Accenture's clients like being invited to the resort. Otherwise, why would the Tour have 2 tournaments in San Diego within a month? The event is not well attended either. It's all sponsor politics and money with the Tour.
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JakaB

Re:LaCosta
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2005, 09:37:06 AM »
I want an interview with the "No Love" guy...that was a top five highlight on tour last year...if it was last year that is..
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Jerry Kluger

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2005, 09:56:22 AM »
Wouldn't it be fun to see them play one of the Bandon courses in February.
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James Edwards

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2005, 10:05:16 AM »
Yes, Jerry, and even better, one of the Scottish courses this time of the year...
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Philippe Binette

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2005, 10:26:49 AM »
Allenby's comments is perfect...

La Costa is a muddy slow wet course with not even an once of strategy...

Get the hell out of there
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Jerry Kluger

  • Total Karma: -1
Re:LaCosta
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2005, 10:32:07 AM »
To me the best place for match play is Las Vegas.  Bracket and individual match betting would be perfect and would actually increase the interest in the tournament and golf.   Don't kid yourself, March Madness is about betting pools and bracket selections.  
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Danny Goss

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2005, 05:01:04 PM »
Here is how it was reported in the Melbourne Age on Thursday February 24....

The world's top golfers are twiddling their thumbs again after the start of the world matchplay championship was postponed for 24 hours.

That's no surprise to some of the record 10 Australians in the 64-man field who are adamant the event should move from its venue at La Costa near San Diego. "This is probably the worst course we play on tour. I hate it. I've never seen it in good condition," said Robert Allenby.

More than six inches of rain have lashed southern California since last Thursday, leaving parts of the course flooded, forcing officials to push the start back to today.

A day's play was also lost to bad weather last year. It was not much better two years ago and no practice rounds have been possible this time. "It's like this every year," said Peter Lonard. "I've never seen it not like this."

Craig Parry said: "For the tournament's sake, they'd be better of having it in warmer weather. Mexico would be lovely this time of the year."

"I'm kind of tired of playing this wet course every year," said Vijay Singh.
« Last Edit: February 23, 2005, 05:01:31 PM by Danny Goss »
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James Edwards

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2005, 05:37:05 PM »
I'l go out on a limb here and say, its days are numbered.. :-X
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Tommy_Naccarato

Re:LaCosta
« Reply #15 on: February 23, 2005, 06:51:59 PM »
Quote from: Philippe Binette on February 23, 2005, 10:26:49 AM
Allenby's comments is perfect...

La Costa is a muddy slow wet course with not even an once of strategy...

Get the hell out of there

Hey, I resent that anti-American remark!

How about the other 11 months of the year when it isn't wet and the coniditions are 100% for golf then say Monnnttreeeeeallllll' this time of year?

Did you ever think for a second that it might be because the players and the executives like it because of the spa? I'm not talking here about some hot spring in the middle of Hudson Bay, I'm talking about the kind of place you can get your wife's tush polished for a pretty expensive fee........Every CEO's God-given right!

Bomb Canada I say. Bomb Canada.
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Philippe Binette

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #16 on: February 23, 2005, 10:33:57 PM »
Give me a break...

There's nothing anti-american in the comment...

You know what's the great thing about USA, they have a thousand of courses that they can play all year long... Just get the hell out of La Costa and play in Phoenix, Las Vegas or anywhere else...

After all, try to convince me that La Costa is a great course...
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Tommy_Naccarato

Re:LaCosta
« Reply #17 on: February 23, 2005, 10:35:06 PM »
Phillipe, You need to develop a sense of humor. This way you can laugh even more hystericlly at La Costa.
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Chris Kane

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2005, 11:08:17 PM »
As its a "World" Golf Championship event, how about they play it somewhere outside America?  I'm biased, but how about Australia?  Kingston Heath would be perfect at this time of year.
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Brian_Ewen

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2005, 11:36:57 PM »
Chris
"World" only in name ,  I am afraid .

Remember the year they took it to Metropolitan GC ? .

Brian
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Chris Kane

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #20 on: February 23, 2005, 11:41:31 PM »
Brian, I remember that well.  It flopped - most of the big-name Americans stayed home.  Those ranked around 110 got a start from memory.

Part of the blame must be apportioned towards the PGA Tour, who scheduled it in the first week of 2001.  Had it been held a couple of weeks later, the pampered Florida set wouldn't have had an excuse not to come.
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Brian_Ewen

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2005, 11:51:49 PM »
Chris
I think if they had held this so called "World" event outside the U.S. this year , then a good lot of Americans would have chosen the 'Chrysler Classic of Tucson' over it .

Brian

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Chris Kane

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:LaCosta
« Reply #22 on: February 24, 2005, 12:08:35 AM »
Brian, you are exactly right.  These American professionals lead such difficult lives that sitting in a Gulfstream for a few hours to play for a winners cheque of $1m+ is too much effort.
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Matt_Cohn

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #23 on: February 24, 2005, 12:23:05 AM »
If they brought in Rees Jones to fix up La Costa, they could keep the tournament. They might even land a US Open and help the USGA by providing another solid west coast site.

Kidding...

Anyway, how many other courses on tour are basically intact from 40-50 years ago like La Costa? I know there are a few, but not too many. La Costa is one of those, and it is kind of ordinary by tour standards. Just for fun, how would anyone here modify La Costa if you were hired to do the job?

Regarding the wet conditions: La Costa is in the bottom of a steep valley (note the homes high on the hills around the course), and it's across the street from a huge lagoon.

Also most people probably see La Costa's creek and think it's tiny, but it's actually one of the larger conduits of water I've seen in the city. Just for comparison, the San Diego River is so small that it's not on maps, and I can jump over it. San Diego is not a good place for people who love rivers.

Anyway, my point is that La Costa is predestined to be extra-wet when it rains. And this whole post is a bit of a ramble, but hopefully a worthwile one.

Matt  ;D
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Wayne Freeman

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Re:LaCosta
« Reply #24 on: February 24, 2005, 12:50:32 AM »
I'm not sure it would be worth doing anything with LaCosta, and it might be tough for anyone to do "the job" there.  There's certainly nothing special about either course, although the composite is pretty good-  there are certainly a bunch of better courses to play in the general area. Trying to be positive about it all though, I guess it isn't bad for a match play format.  A lot of the greens are on the small side and there are many well placed bunkers. And the wind can be tricky.
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