"If you're trying to get one or two players, you're going to have to move it to San Diego or Orlando"

I should have known last week that there was more to the probing back-and-forth between Tim Finchem and writers over the future of Kapalua as a PGA Tour venue. Doug Ferguson reports that the tour is looking at other venues for the Mercedes, even though most players love it and it looks absolutely stunning on television. (Though it sure would be nice to see the course play faster in the approaches like it did in the early part of this century).

Lots of interesting stuff in the piece, but a few items jumped out:

Ogilvy is among those who took up joint membership on the European Tour this year, and one reason was a variety of courses that he believes the U.S. tour lacks. He finds it odd that a move from Kapalua is being discussed.

"After Florida, you probably play the same golf course 20 times in a row," Ogilvy said. "But to play such an extremely different setup, it's a cool place to start."

After Florida? How about starting with Florida!

Actually, it was wise of Geoff to put it that way. I think any knock on Florida golf architecture is a fineable offense.

The tour is said to be looking at Wailea, about an hour to the east on Maui, where the weather is more predictable. It might have more options for Mercedes' clients to play golf, but it doesn't have the caliber of course that Kapalua offers. Players often criticize the tour for not playing on the best courses available; this could be one of those example.

"I love coming here," said Stewart Cink, one of four players on the tour's policy board. "I like playing here. I think this is a fun course to play. It's different and a challenge in its own way. I would not want to move it. But it's a business decision, I'm sure."

Those tournament week golfing options for the Mercedes customers should take priority after all. Oy. I'm actually feeling sorry for the tour if they were in fact told by the sponsor that this was a concern at the current venue (and I guess it say the Mercedes people don't really like the Bay Course at Kapalua...but it was designed by Arnold Palmer!).

Here's your early evidence of Justin Leonard winning a future Jim Murray Award for giving scribes user friendly, succinct and wonderfully not-so-subtle quotes:

Some players believe the tour is looking at a move to the mainland to make it easier to travel.

"If you're trying to get one or two players, you're going to have to move it to San Diego or Orlando," said Justin Leonard, referring to Mickelson and Woods. "And even then, I don't think those guys would play. It's nice to start here."

Comments

[Steven T.]

It's a shame that the Fazio course at Mauka is on hold. It was supposed to replace the Village course at Kapalua.

I guess the Tour wants to keep Mercedes happy. Doesn't their sponsorship ends next year?

[I.M. Hack]

Rather than defending Florida architecture, isn't Ogilvy saying that after the Florida swing, the PGA Tour courses all tend to look/play the same?

[jason]

Sponsors are not bigger than the game of Golf, but let's be honest. They ARE bigger than the PGA Tour, especially with a little something called the "Race to Dubai" overseas. Time to kiss ass, Timmy.

[CBell]

I LOVE Kapalua. It's more fun to watch than the Masters because of the wind, the players' rust, the seascapes - even the lack of "patrons" makes it seem like the GOLF is the thing, not the Event. And I like not having Tiger and Phil because it allows us to see and hear about other players for a change.

In short, I'm sure they'll move it.

[Brad Ford]

I loved playing Kapalua in August. The wind made it FUN!!! On one hole, I hit a drive 326 yards over the back of the green. The next hole (340 yards), I hit a good driver and a good 5 wood and was 40 yards short of the green.

17 and 18 and two of the most fun holes I have ever played.

Dropping Kapalua for the Wailea courses would be like dropping Pebble Beach for that Trump Los Angeles fiasco.

[paboy]

Remember people the final course in Fl. is TPC so that may be what he is referencing when he compliments Fl courses and pisses on the courses that follow. I would guess he does not think ANGC or HT are standard affairs.

[aloha means goodbye]

Mercedes at Kapalua is toast. The resort is broke and Mercedes isn't going to sponsor it again. I hear the LPGA tourney is at risk as well. Maybe that will be the end of Kapalua as a golf destination?