I moved to Southern California 17 years ago for a change of scenery. That’s literal, figurative and the main reason I continue to enjoy it here so much. And even though it was a newspaper job that technically brought me to the Southland, the West Coast Swing played a role in the move’s enticement.
That might sound odd, but for non-natives of our part of the country, the lure of the ocean and year-round golf is quite a draw. That’s especially true if you’re in front of a TV in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa or Wisconsin (my previous states) and watching a golf tournament played in Palm Springs, Torrey Pines or Riviera in January and February. On the screen is gorgeous scenery and people strolling down fairways; out the window are icicles, snowdrifts and people shoveling snow.
By the time those tournaments were played – in addition to the ones at Pebble Beach and Scottsdale – my golf clubs had been in cold storage for more than two months and wouldn’t see the light of day for another three. There were many times when I wished I was in the galleries at those West Coast events, so I made sure that doing so was among the first things I did when moving here.
Because of the PGA Tour’s wraparound schedule, the West Coast Swing isn’t the start of the season anymore, but that doesn’t diminish the history or standing of the events. Starting at Kapalua and ending in Pacific Palisades, the West Coast Swing provides the most diverse stretch of golf courses and tournament setups fans will see all year. And we in the Southland have a front row seat for three – the CareerBuilder Challenge in the Coachella Valley, the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla and the newly named Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club.
We’re highlighting the three regional events in this month’s issue in several ways. First, we have interviews with the three returning champions to find out why they love the venues so much and to get their thoughts on defending their titles. We also examine the recently renovated North Course at Torrey Pines where the pros will play one round next month and the public can play the other 51 weeks a year. Tom Weiskopf handled the renovation and is proud of the effort that he says makes the course more playable for amateurs but, at the same, puts it on a level playing field with the more famous South Course. Randy Youngman did that interview as well as talking with the new tournament director at the Genesis Open and the hoped-for added boost the event will have now that Tiger Woods and his Orange County-based foundation are the host and main beneficiary.
If you have a chance, attend a round or two at one of the events. The scenery is gorgeous and the play is stellar. Just remember to apply sunscreen and to wave to the cameras if they’re pointing in your direction. Someone from the Midwest or Northeast might be watching … and dreaming.
