"It's really been off the charts"

That's Tim Finchem reviewing Harding Park's performance at the Presidents Cup. That's about as effusive as he gets in the praise department.

Ron Kroichick has the quote and details on the course's future (two Schwab Cups!), which he reminds us includes a BMW Championship in 2013 or 2014. Gosh I forgot how well that's going to go over in Chicago.

Comments

[Chuck]

I don't understand. If in fact "It's really been off the charts," how does Finchem know how good it is? I mean, doesn't he rely on the charts, or the graphs, or the polls, or the financial analysis, to know anything?

You just cannot successfully monetize the brand platform without knowing what's ON the charts.

[David Mihm]

Geoff, you left out the best line! :)

"International captain Greg Norman, who counts course design among his many pursuits, marveled at the strategic beauty of forcing players to bend shots around trees and down narrow corridors."

Perhaps the first time I've seen "Strategy" and "Force" in the same sentence...not surprised it comes from The Shark.

[pasaplayer]

David Mihm--I couldn't agree more. Although some may find Harding's design "insipid" and lacking any compelling interest, the fact that the players actually had to think from the tee was an intriguing aspect of the Cup from beginning to end.

[Joe Jemsek]

Chicago here,

Why dose the PGA Tour want to leave Chicago? People here support the tournament and the money goes to a great charity. If they need to get a tournament in San Fran (which should only happen if they save Sharp Park, and if they don't, they should never get anther event, never, not a nationwide, lpga, seniors, or USGA.) Why not take the Tour Championship there instead of playing in the sports vacuum which is Atlanta. Or maybe one of the WGC events. I know everyone would be happy to leave Firestone, at least it would give someone, other than Tiger, a chance to win.

[Chuck]

Joe, I sort of agree with you in a Croo-er, Cook-County-Politics kind of way. If San Francisco were to bulldoze (or abandon) Sharp Park, the golf world should respond. It's something I had never considered, but I love the sentiment involved. Actions have consequences, Mayor Newsome.

[Smolmania]

Why not just wait until 2016 when Dubs gets the US Open? Win for the Jemseks in Chicago, and Harding Park gets a BMW. . .

[SGarrett]

Since we are playing "what if" games with Chicago and SF, what about this possibility? Let BMW come to SF in 2013 and have the Presidents Cup go to Obama-land in Chicago during the same year?

[Steven T.]

Unfortunately the Tour Championship is locked into Atlanta as long as Coca Cola is the sponsor. Strangely enough, Coke's world wide corporate HQ is in Atlanta.

[OWGR Fan]

Smols US Open has been announced and locked in for Oakmont in 2016.

[Smolmania]

Sorry, I meant '17, the one supposedly going to Erin Hills.

[Aunt Blabbie]

San Francisco Golf Club would be nice.