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"Everyone has his own choking level, a level at which he fails to play his normal golf. As you get more experienced, your choking level rises." |
-Johnny Miller |
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If you’re a member at one of Southern California’s private courses that annually host a professional event, is it cool to see your home track get national exposure, or do you feel left out because some of your playing time is taken away? It depends on who you ask. Steve Chase, a member at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, the site of last month’s Nissan Open, said it’s great that the country gets to see one of golf’s classic designs. “I belong to one of the greatest golf courses in the world, and it’s pretty neat to be able to share that,” Chase said. Jim Fitzsimmons, the general manager at Valencia Country Club, which will host the Champions Tour’s AT&T Classic this month, said that not all members are thrilled about giving up the course for a couple of weeks, but such is life at a private club. “Politics is my model,” Fitzsimmons said. “If you get 51 percent to agree on anything, it’s a landslide.” Count Valencia member Don Fleming on the positive side of the equation. “The national exposure for the city of Valencia is what makes the personal loss of the club for 10 days worth it,” Fleming said. “Last year, up to $10 million was poured into our community because of the tournament, by way of hotel rooms, restaurant tabs, gasoline tanks filled, taxes paid, etc. That’s a huge impact.” Paul Hahn, the head pro at Newport Beach Country Club, which will host the Champions Tour’s Toshiba Classic this month, echoed those sentiments. “The first couple of years, it was tough on the entire staff and membership as we did most of the work,” Hahn said. “But when Hoag Hospital came on board as the benefiting charity and brought in a tournament director with professional experience, well, this year we will top more than $10 million raised. That’s great for the hospital and the community.” Another important byproduct is the chest-pumping that occurs when the best players in the world walk your fairways. “Ben Hogan called the 240-yard, par-3 fourth at Riviera one of the best holes on the planet, and every time I play that hole I remember that,” said Chase, who has won Riviera’s senior club championship title. “Jack Nicklaus called the 10th hole one of the toughest short par-4s in the country. The history and tradition of this club adds so much to the enjoyment of playing here.” CUTTING EDGE: The field at last month’s Nissan Open included a number of qualifiers. I kept my eye on one of them. Scott Miller, the head pro at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, who finished 76th at Riviera in 2006, shot a 67 at Glendora Country Club to again qualify for last month’s tournament. Unfortunately, he missed the cut with a 78-75. As a 14-handicap hacker, I’m in awe when I play with a pro whose handicap has a plus-sign in front of the number like Miller’s. Guess what? Miller gets awestruck, too. “Absolutely, that’s how I feel,” said Miller from his home in Simi Valley a few hours after cleaning out his Riviera locker. “Hitting balls next to Ernie Els on the range, it’s so obvious of the divide between him and me. Sure, they all miss shots — not as many as me — but just standing there watching his setup, the ball flight, his perfect balance … you just know that kind of execution comes from being able to pound thousands of balls to get that good and stay at the top.” I promised Miller, who said he gets lots of support from North Ranch members and his bosses to play in professional qualifying events, that I would keep in touch with him. LUCK OF THE IRISH: Tim Barry, owner of T. Barry Knickers and the man who made the plus-fours for the late Payne Stewart, puts on a St. Patrick’s Day tournament in Rancho Mirage that’s a must-play event on my calendar. Imagine 120 knicker-wearing golfers from around the country converging on the Westin Mission Hills for three days of Irish fun. The highlight of the Tim Barry Pre-Memorial Irish Open, set for March 15-17, is the awards banquet featuring comedians and an open bar. Hmmm. Maybe that’s why I never remember the jokes. The $895 entry fee includes a golf outfit — we dress alike for the team photo — and drinks and food for two days. For details, call (760) 346-4993 or visit www.tbarryknickers.com. SG Eric Tracy also is known as The Mulligan Man. He can be reached at eric@themulliganman.com. |
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