Colgan shares Rory's thoughts on hosting tournaments at great courses

They really ought to host more interesting and iconic courses during regular tournaments. Round three was so fun to watch today

Piper said:
They really ought to host more interesting and iconic courses during regular tournaments. Round three was so fun to watch today

It’s all about the money

How many of these courses can support TV towers, PGA staff, fans, parking, concessions, player accommodations, and so on?

Take Pete Dye’s course in French Lick. I’ve never played it, but it would be amazing. Does it have the infrastructure to handle a PGA event though?

@Tan
This is the business side of golf, and it helps pay the bills. I totally agree with Rory, but the reality is that the PGA Tour needs to be at courses that can generate revenue and appeal to a broad audience. That’s why we have the John Deere Classic in Illinois or the WM Open at the bland TPC Scottsdale.

Events like the US Open can afford to play on really special courses because that’s the only thing they do.

In my opinion, one of the biggest issues with golf broadcasts is how poorly they show what a course really looks like. The conditions talked about and what you see on-screen are usually very different. But if you watch a video from a phone at a tournament, you can see all the slopes and elevation changes. The broadcast makes it hard to appreciate how impressive some shots really are.

Finally, someone on the Tour said it. Outside of a few places, a lot of PGA Tour courses don’t play tough or look interesting on TV. TPC Scottsdale is a pretty basic course design-wise, but they at least hype up the crowds that week so it’s more exciting. What do TPC Craig Ranch or TPC Twin Cities even offer?

@Aspen
I think the criteria for courses that are:

  • architecturally exciting
  • able to support the infrastructure needed
  • long enough for tour pros
  • willing to host every year

isn’t that large.

There are so many courses I’d love to see the pros at each year, like Bandon, Cypress, Seminole, and Chambers Bay. But sometimes, sponsors and practicality take priority.

@Ash
I’m not even asking for interesting courses. I believe they should try to make the existing TPC courses more engaging

Aspen said:
@Ash
I’m not even asking for interesting courses. I believe they should try to make the existing TPC courses more engaging

I agree most TPC courses feel similar or come from the same cookie-cutter design.

But making them “more interesting” is easier said than done, and it’s not something the PGA can just do overnight. A proper golf course renovation costs millions and takes much time… and who’s to say they won’t mess it up even more?

Aspen said:
@Ash
I’m not even asking for interesting courses. I believe they should try to make the existing TPC courses more engaging

TPC Osprey in Toronto got a facelift. It’s hosting the Canadian Open this summer

@Ash
Yeah, that fourth point is huge. Austin hosted the Dell WGC for years. Commenters always said players liked the course.

But the members hated it; having their course shut down and changed for a month during prime golf season? I’d be mad too.

@Briar
I’m in Houston, and the course for the PGA event is actually a muni. They started preparing for the tournament, which is a week before the Masters, at least a month ago. Nothing like hearing power tools right before your tee shot!

@Jessie
I want to love the idea of PGA events at munis. You’re hitting from the same bunker that respected pros (including Rory) hit from. Give them a taste of what it’s like for amateurs.

But it does take away from golfers who can’t join a $100K club or pay $300 for a round.

My dream is to have pros drop into my local muni without prep, playing at Tenison Park in Dallas with no rangefinder, and just shoot what they can. No grandstands; they should leave the course untouched for a week.

@Briar
Or, you could point out to ACC or whatever it’s called, members that this helps us keep the high prices for initiation and dues, boosting your equity, so when you sell, you might get back some of your investment.

@Jensen
I don’t think ACC is struggling financially; they have a waiting list. Rumor has it Mack Brown had to wait in line to join as a full member.

I don’t have a solution, but I do understand the challenges of hosting a big event.

@Jensen
Yikes. This might go down as one of the worst takes here.

@Ash
The course also needs local infrastructure—like large airports, hotels, parking, etc., plus proximity to fans and sponsors. That’s why a place like Bandon would struggle to host.

Ky said:
@Ash
The course also needs local infrastructure—like large airports, hotels, parking, etc., plus proximity to fans and sponsors. That’s why a place like Bandon would struggle to host.

Lol, true that. Pros would complain about the drive or having to Netjet into North Bend.

I appreciate the USGA goes there often. Can’t wait for the Women’s Am this year.

Ky said:
@Ash
The course also needs local infrastructure—like large airports, hotels, parking, etc., plus proximity to fans and sponsors. That’s why a place like Bandon would struggle to host.

Yeah, there’s a reason Bandon only hosts U.S. Amateurs. It’s a great course for competition, but you need to combine Bandon and Coos Bay for accommodations, and even then, it’s just too far out.

@Ash
Chambers Bay has been eager to host something. There’s no PGA stop in the PNW. Seems like the PGA isn’t interested.

@Ash
Can you picture trying to fit a ton of spectators at Bandon? Any of the courses? It’s comical to think about. So, where’s everyone going to stay while watching the tournament? Motels along I-5? Yeah, that sounds great.