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Thanks in part to Tiger Woods, the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines was the year's most memorable Major and perhaps, golfing event. It was exciting, STORY/PHOTOS BY GEOFF SHACKELFORD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR It was the best of times and ... well... Before that epic week in June and a clas- transformational, you know. That economic collapse sic Ryder Cup win by America fueled almost thing sure put a damper on an epic, entirely by shrewd golf course preparation, controversial, even transformational year in golf. 2008 proved more bizarre than exciting. At Epic because the potential for golf the PGA of America's Economic Forum in wacky and to thrill and inspire became apparent again, January, we learned that golf course facilities just when you thought we were doomed by make up a $28 billion industry, making the - like everything technology and dull championships. Trans- business bigger (at least in the PGA s eyes) formational because the world saw just how than the motion-picture industry, newspaper magical of a setting that a properly configured publishing and all other sports. else - affected golf course can be. "Golf generates more money than any Sure, there were a few salty stories and other sport in the world that we know of," by the slow plenty of signs that the game was in for a big said Steve Mona, executive director of the hurt when the economy slowed down, such World Golf Foundation and former CEO of economy as a dip in rounds and golf course construc- the Golf Course Superintendents Association tion. But the indelible image of 2008 and of America. Of course, no one really bought beyond arrived with Tiger Woods' epic U.S. the numbers since they included wedding Open win at I orrey Pines in San Diego. And and banquet revenue and inflated real estate while he did the heavy lifting — holding off numbers. the feisty Rocco Mediate in an unforgettable That wasn't the only bizarre study, as playoff watched by enormous audiences — researchers working off a $193,000 grant equal crcdit goes to humble behind-the-scenes from Allergan discovered the curc for the yips string-pulling by Torrey Pines' Certified Su- — Botox! That's the drug used for muscle perintendent Mark Woodward and United cramping, Parkinson's disease and mostly for States Golf Association's Senior Director of politicians and aging beauty queens to reduce Rules and Competitions Mike Davis, who skin wrinkles. The maker of Botox? Allergan! was in charge of setting up the course. Their The news wasn't all weird, though. At work, and the sweat of hundreds of volunteers, times, it was downright disastrous. In Janu- produced the greatest week of golf since the ary, Golf Channel announcer Kelly Tilghman 1986 Masters. was yucking it up during the PGA Four's season-opening Mercedes Championship tele- me, I was like, you know where I am on this cast with announce partner Nick Faldo when leaderboard? You have any idea?" she suggested that Tiger's fellow tour players The LPGA earned rave reviews for making might want to lynch him in a back alley. The an issue of the embarrassing rituals that today's comment drew widespread condemnation players make fans endure. Meanwhile, the from everyone on the planet, including Presi- world's best male players continued to make dent George Bush and just about every other a mockery of the sport while setting a hor- American pundit dying for another three min- rible example for younger players. In Europe, utes in front of a microphone. Just when you they've taken notice that this is, in large part, an thought the controversy was dying down, it American problem. The Irish Independent's tipped into absurdity when Golfweek Editor Karl MacGinty was one of many noted Euro Dave Seanor ran an image of a noose on the writers to vent about Sean O'Hair not being weekly's cover. That brilliant decision turned prepared to play when it was his turn down the out to be more of a black eye for the game stretch at Bay Hill. than Tilghman's thoughtless but ultimately "OK, O'Hair's not as mind-numbingly harmless comment. slow as JB Holmes, the mega-hitter from "Clearly, what Kelly said was inappropriate Kentucky," MacGinty wrote. "This guy is and unfortunate, and she obviously regrets her utterly infuriating. Holmes resembles a preying choice of words," PGA Tour Commissioner mantis painstakingly stalking its lunch as he Tim Finchem said. "But we consider Golf- goes through his staccato pre-shout routine." week's imager)' of a swinging noose on its cover Holmes salvaged some respect for his solid to be outrageous and irresponsible. It smacks performance at September's epic Ryder Cup, of tabloid journalism. It was a naked attempt where Paul Azinger made him one of four to inflame and keep alive an incident that was captain's picks. But it was Azinger's setup heading to an appropriate conclusion." of Valhalla Golf Club that made the Ryder Seanor was quickly relieved of his duties Cup so memorable. Carried out in close con- and the game moved on. Slowly. junction with superintendent Mark Wilson, Yes, slow play made its annual appearance Azinger expanded the course's intermediate in stories about the PGA Tour and everyday rough cut from a standard 6 feet to as much game. In 2008, the talk turned a bit nastier, as 60 feet, effectively eliminating the role of spurred on by Woods and other top players rough. The result? Some of the most thrilling, The USGA's Mike Davis empha- making public comments. And there was a hcroic and bold play the game has seen in ages. sized mental examination over five-hour round for Sunday twosomes at the Both teams attributed the genius of play to an excessively physical one in Masters, but mostly widespread astonishment Continued on page 41 his setup at Torrey Pines. that the PGA l our had not levied a two-shot penalty for slow play in 16 years. ., . „HIT- >•• However, the LPGA l our made news by enforcing its policy on Angela Park at its Hawaii stop, providing bulletin-board fod- der for golf courses across the land. Park fin- ished only one stroke behind eventual winner Annika Sorenstam, but a triple-bogey seven at No. 10 gave her a final-round 69 — 209 and a tie for fifth that cost her $60,000 (at least). Park's triple came after rules official Doug Brecht gave her a two-shot penalty for taking too long. "I didn't think it was fair at all," Park told the media. She was the only one in her three- some to be penalized after being put on the clock at the 10th tee. "When he (rules official Doug Brecht) came up to me and penalized What a Wild Year Continued from page 25 course could be set up with just an ounce of Azinger s and Wilson's democratic presenta- creativity and vision to test players without tion of Valhalla. embarrassing diem. Though Azinger had been contemplating But even more significant, that remarkable the concept since being named captain, it is week at Torrey Pines inspired new admiration still unlikely that such a bold move would have for the people and courses that make up the been attempted had Davis not set a dramatic sport. The combination of thrilling play, heart- precedent with his totally un-USGA-like stopping heroics and an inspired course setup setup of Torrey Pines' South Course. While reminded the world why golf matters. • some shrugged off the epic week in San Diego to Tiger or the dreary Masters finish where Trevor Immelman survived a car-wreck fin- ish in cruel weather, die U.S. Open allowed Products you most players and media to make a connection gotta have! between course setup and fun golf. Low cost, low maintenance. The ultimate • Davis, manning his third U.S. Open as the in durability and dependability person in charge of the competition, watched Optional Kawasaki 9 Hp engine for tapes of the 2007 event at Oakmont Country maximum power, quiet operation CIul) and determined the rough was too penal. A Heavy gauge steel ramp for easy loading, unloading memo went out to fliture Open venues warning Handles up to 1/2-ton loads that it was time to put less emphasis on die density of rough, widi Torrey Pines serving as the testing Red Rider. ground. While bizarre weadier spurred on the Durable. Dependable. growth of kikuyugrass to the dismay of everyone involved, Woodward and his team took a run- down muni and managed to gpt Torrey Pines as firm and meticulous for which Davis could The Turf Professional's Free have hoped. On-line Source for Weed ID and The metamorphosis turned the U.S. Open spotlight away from course conditioning ques- IPM Control Recommendations tions to the unique setup touches envisioned by Davis to emphasize a supreme mental ex- • Weed ID Photos • Regional Alerts amination over an excessively physical one. * Control Options * Turf School Links But it was Davis' decision to alternate tees and turn the grueling 14th hole into ad liveable par 4 on Sunday that earned raves and had golfers TEST YOUR WEED IQH across the country glued to their televisions. WEEKLY CONTEST- Airing in prime time on the East Coast, Sunday's telecast drew an 8.5 rating, up 21 Correct ID percent from the previous year. More im- portantly, non-golfers tuned in for the final Can Win This thrilling hour and set Internet viewing records for the following day's playoff, where Woods Magic Mug edged Mediate on the 19th hole.

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