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 Today’s West Coast Swing — with four of the eight tournaments held in Southern California — is arguably the most exiting stretch of the PGA Tour calendar. It’s the beginning of the season, the slates are clean, and everyone wants to get off to a rousing start — including some of the world’s best golfers competing on some of the world’s most recognized courses. It’s been that way since 1926, when Harry Cooper won the inaugural Los Angeles Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Six years later, a tournament in Phoenix was started, followed in 1937 by an event launched by Bing Crosby and staged at the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club, which is now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Since then, while an event in Long Beach and several others have come and gone, the PGA Tour has made perennial stops in Tucson, Hawaii, the Coachella Valley and San Diego County, creating a marketable West Coast Swing. Nothing captures the public’s fancy like the events in California, Arizona and Hawaii, because nothing else combines such rich history and contemporary appeal. The Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club and the festive stop at Pebble Beach are two of the most venerable events on tour, and every other event, excluding its most lucrative — the Accenture Match Play Championship at La Costa — are more than 40 years old. The same courses that the legends played, from Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, still test the mettle of the current generation. Here’s a look at the four Southern California tournaments on the West Coast Swing and some of the most memorable performances — as well as some moments we’d rather forget — that have occurred in our corner of the world. the best of the west Bob Hope Chrysler Classic January 16-22 Celebrities play Bermuda Dunes on Wednesday, La Quinta Country Club on Thursday, Palmer Course at PGA West on Friday, the Classic Club on Saturday. Final round, professionals only, held at the Classic Club. Information: (888) 672-4673. Daily tickets: $25; clubhouse badge, $75. Last year: Justin Leonard (left) defeated Tim Clark and Joe Ogilvie by three strokes. Noteworthy: The Classic Club joins the rotation. The Arnold Palmer-designed course, north of Palm Desert and more than 300 yards longer than any of the Hope’s other three courses this year, is the host course and will feature the final round. Buick Invitational January 23-29. Torrey Pines Golf Course Information: (619) 281-GOLF Daily tickets: $18-$22; weekly badge, $85. Last year: Tiger Woods (below) needed 31 holes and an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole to overcome a three-shot deficit and defeat Charles Howell III, Tom Lehman and Luke Donald. Noteworthy: Torrey Pines will continue to attract top golfers because it will be the site of the 2008 U.S. Open. The South Course has been lengthened to more than 7,600 yards. Nissan Open February 13-19 Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades Information: (800) 752-OPEN. Daily tickets: $15-$25; weekly badge, $80. Last year: Rain reduced play to two rounds, which ended with Adam Scott (below) and Chad Campbell tied at 9-under. Scott won on the first playoff hole with a 4-foot putt for par. The victory counted toward Scott’s world-ranking and money-list position, but is not included in his career victory total. Noteworthy: Since the tournament is the week before the lucrative match-play event at La Costa, look for a strong international field. World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship February 20-26 La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad Information: (866) 942-2672. Daily tickets: $25-$30; weekly badge, $85. Last year: David Toms (below) defeated Chris DiMarco in the final match. Toms needed only 31 of 36 holes to win, making it the most lopsided victory in the event’s seven-year history. Noteworthy: There’s some grumbling among top players about course conditions, and it’s possible the event will be moved next year. Both Florida and Arizona have been mentioned as possible sites. But the huge purse always draws the best golfers in the world. |
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