[Terry Lavin]

With Riviera, LACC, Bel-Air, Sherwood and Wilshire Los Angeles is a Mecca for world class private golf. The LA Open has a rich history. Watching the coverage again today, I'm dumbstruck by the measly galleries. Is this an embarrassment or what?

[Ben Sims]

Well, I could say that it is hard to get to for massive amounts of people.  Or that the site is smaller than many tour venues.  But that would be enabling.  I agree with you. 

[Adam Clayman]

Hizzonor exaggerates calling the southland a Mecca, because Mecca implies masses. Since he's in campaign mode, I forgive him. The great courses there, are mostly very private, and, are not that easy a ticket. A lot like Chicago, with inferior public options, wouldn't you say? Of course that's biased on a per capita basis.

[Terry Lavin]

Hizzonor exaggerates calling the southland a Mecca, because Mecca implies masses. Since he's in campaign mode, I forgive him. The great courses there, are mostly very private, and, are not that easy a ticket. A lot like Chicago, with inferior public options, wouldn't you say? Of course that's biased on a per capita basis.

Pretty comparable to Chicago on that basis, I'd agree. I was only talking private golf; I've never played the public courses. My main observation is that the weak gallery doesn't seem to fit with the size of the city, the history of the event and the quality of private clubs. A real disappointment, IMHO.

[William_G]

the tour w/o Tiger, Rory, etc... just another tour stop $6.6 million

nice weather for golf though, fun memberships, and nice folks

tough economy for golf spectating

[Alex Miller]

I don't see a connection between exclusive private clubs and the general golfing public, which comprises most of the fanbase.

Therefore, if we want to look the public courses in L.A., I'd say the fans are probably right on par with the courses: overwhelmingly disappointing given the size of the city.

[William_G]

so much to do given the weather....probably more folks shopping at "The Grove" today, a sad testament

[DMoriarty]

Reportedly attendance was up substantially this week; somewhat surprising given the three day weekend.

[Patrick_Mucci]

With Riviera, LACC, Bel-Air, Sherwood and Wilshire Los Angeles is a Mecca for world class private golf. The LA Open has a rich history. Watching the coverage again today, I'm dumbstruck by the measly galleries. Is this an embarrassment or what?

Terry,

Weather can determine attendance.

February in LA can be wet and cold or both.

Some golfers looked bundled up today.

As to "world class private golf" I'd have to disagree with you.

I've played all but Wilshire and wouldn't consider the group of courses you listed as "world class".  Good ?  Yes, but not "world class"

[John Kavanaugh]

This thread was started too early. As is the case in LA the crowds were there at the finish.

[Bob_Huntley]

Finding parking for members of Riviera can be a bind, getting to the course from afar is a positive pain.

Bob

[Tommy Williamsen]

With Riviera, LACC, Bel-Air, Sherwood and Wilshire Los Angeles is a Mecca for world class private golf. The LA Open has a rich history. Watching the coverage again today, I'm dumbstruck by the measly galleries. Is this an embarrassment or what?

Terry,


I've played all but Wilshire and wouldn't consider the group of courses you listed as "world class".  Good ?  Yes, but not "world class"

Pat, just curious, I, too, have played all the courses but Wilshire.  If LACC and Riviera are not world class, what does it take to be world class?

[Matthew Rose]

From what I can tell, it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of room to accommodate a whole lot of people either. You have a pretty tight, intimate routing + that big barranca thing slices through it.

But it does have that pretty cool natural ampitheatre behind the 18th.

[Jeffrey Conners]

I went Thursday afternoon while in Los Angeles for a business trip.  The bus ride from the remote parking lot (about 3 miles away) took nine minutes at around 1:00 PM; the return ride at 4:00 was an hour.  While the field was strong and the course is fantastic, I can understand why some people might choose to stay home.

[Terry Lavin]

Well, I'm sure traffic could be a problem; we are talking LA, after all. But the Sunday galleries were one or two deep until the final two holes. At the conclusion of 18 holes, it looked like 4,000 max, which seems weak. If attendance was like that in a Midwestern locale, the Tour would probably move the event.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

No that would go to NYC. I agree with Bob that going to see an event at Riviera is hard.

[Patrick_Mucci]

With Riviera, LACC, Bel-Air, Sherwood and Wilshire Los Angeles is a Mecca for world class private golf. The LA Open has a rich history. Watching the coverage again today, I'm dumbstruck by the measly galleries. Is this an embarrassment or what?

Terry,


I've played all but Wilshire and wouldn't consider the group of courses you listed as "world class".  Good ?  Yes, but not "world class"

Pat, just curious, I, too, have played all the courses but Wilshire.  If LACC and Riviera are not world class, what does it take to be world class?
Tommy,

So it's your position that Bel Air, LA South and Sherwood are "WORLD CLASS" ?

[Steve Lapper]

Tiger,

You have the first part right, but fail miserably with the second and are clearly unfamiliar with NY sports fans. They are among the most knowledgable, ardent and loyal in the world. Try a Yankee, Giants, Rangers or Knicks game on for size and then come back and tell us how we are the worst!


PS...Ask your buddy Mike Whitaker or Mike Sweeney if you believe I'm far off.

[Terry Lavin]

Okay, world class was overstatement, I wasn't talking about New York, after all.

[Adam Clayman]

Terry, The gallery, probably could only have met your expectations, if one Tiger Woods had competed.

[George Pazin]

With the possible exception of something like the Ryder Cup, golf has to be one of the worst spectator sports ever. The playing field is so huge that you can be assured that 95% of the action will not be anywhere near you. If you're a golf nut like many of us on here, the best events to attend are low level match play events at special courses - it gives you an opportunity to walk the course practically by yourself, if desired.

I've always been impressed by Chicagoans willingness to attend sporting events, but then the sports often seem to take a backseat...

[Joe_Tucholski]

I went on wed and thur and thought there was a good number of spectators.  Wed it was raining and it was a practice round.  Thursday there were more people than I expected.  I sat above 2 green looking out at 10.  Phils group and Couples group had galleries 4-5 deep.  Also as far as the shuttle it was much easier than other events I've been to at pebble and congressional.

[Carl Nichols]

On a population-adjusted basis, LA has always struck me as pretty weak when it comes to the quality of its golf courses.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Finding parking for members of Riviera can be a bind, getting to the course from afar is a positive pain.

Bob & Terry,

Recognizing that fact, were this year's galleries substantively different from previous year's galleries ?

[Terry Lavin]

Last year was really bad and early reports have this years attendance up 40% if one wants to believe...

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