"Part of you says, 'Make it as good as it can be.'"

So let's see. Tim Finchem plays in the AT&T National Pro-Am and magically they are discussing a field reduction to help with the wretched pace of play. Tiger is widely believed to be offering to return if Poppy Hills is thrown out of the rotation, but we're expected to believe this was all in the works long ago? Either way, it is time to do something.

Doug Ferguson, quoting the Commish:

"Part of you says, 'Make it as good as it can be.' That's generally our attitude with any tournament," he said. "But you've got to take other things under account that might hold you back a little bit."

One other factor to consider is the strengthened relationship with the title sponsor and the world's No. 1 player. Tiger Woods has a deal with AT&T to carry its logo on his golf bag. AT&T already sponsors his TOUR event in Washington.

Woods has not played the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am since 2002, but is likely to return next year -- for no other reason than the U.S. Open will be held at Pebble in 2010.

That has led to speculation among players that Woods is behind the changes, particularly the courses. Rick George, chief of operations for the TOUR, said discussions began before Woods signed his bag deal with AT&T.

Comments

[Poppy Hills is Fun]

Geoff, or anyone...

Why all the hate on Poppy Hills? I find it to be one of the most fun courses I've ever played. Is it just to easy for them, or what? Is it because it doesn't follow the coastal course layout?

Some one enlighten me please.

[Geoff]

Poppy,
It's in a tough neighborhood. The competition is pretty incredible, particularly now that the Shore Course is a great design. And while Poppy has some fun holes, it has some real dogs too. And to many it seems like a missed opportunity architecturally.

[Mike T.]

What are the relative merits of Bayonet and MPCC both from an architectural perspective and a televised pro/am venue point of view (eye candy and pace of play)?

If Cypress Point's membership policies are no longer an issue, it should be a slam dunk in returning to the rota. I'll probably never set foot on the property (big sigh), so I'd love to see it on TV.

[titleist38]

Geoff - if a change of venue is on the cards, in your opinion, what would be the chances of going back to Cypress?

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Don't want to cut Geoff off, but I'm pretty sure he'll agree: there's no chance it'll go back to Cypress.

[Geoff]

I hope it does not return to Cypress Point and doubt it will. The club has done a wonderful job fighting off calls to modernize and lengthen, which is why it remains such a treasure. A tour event would force them to lengthen, narrow and in general, mess it up.

[golfcf]

Bayonet has just completed a multi-million $$ renovation including poa anna free bent grass greens and the players that have played it are raving about it as a replacement for Poppy. I also think Cypress is not in the cards, too private.

[Poppy Hills is Fun]

Geoff,

Just out of curiosity, which holes at Poppy are considered "dogs." In my opinion, i really only dislike #12, a 90 degree dog-leg right Par 5 (though i can see #8 being boring for Pros).

I've also played Bayonet (where all holes are straight and repetitive) and Blackhorse (which is only marginally more interesting), as well as Spanish Bay and none are as interesting as Poppy.

[matt]

Poppy's not that bad. It is too slow, however, because of the design(five reachable Par 5s and 5 par threes) and they fact that they use the most difficult hole locations possible on every hole(be it right on the water's edge, tucked behind a bunker, right on a slope, etc.). Also because the field is way too large, with foursomes of 2 pros and 2 hack CEOs going out on 2 sets of tees in too-small 10 minute intervals.

MPCC would be really cool, but the membership probably doesn't want to deal.