"There are markets we'd like to get to, and we've done some things to get there in a variety of ways."

Thanks to reader Jeff for Joe Juliano's story about the AT&T National's move to a much better course Aronimink for two years. But as Jeff asked, how are the Philly fans going to like being lumped into the same market class as Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Portland and Seattle?

Maybe that's why the paper ran that less-than-flattering peppy shot of the Commish?

Comments

[Steven T.]

Since the last annual stop PGAT event left the area in the 1970s, Philly has been given an event shared with Pittsburgh for a few years and nothing else. The 5th largest metro area deserves more. I hope the ATT move to Aronimink is a success and a sponsor can be found to host an annual event here. The Senior event left the area too and the LPGA's events that were close by in Reading, Wilmington and Atlantic City are gone too. The USGA,on the other hand, has awarded the 2005 US Am, this year's Walker Cup and Women's Open, and the 2013 US Open.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Hey, if Philly area sports fans can throw beer bottles and ice-filled snowballs at Santa Claus, just imagine the reception the likes of Rory Sabbatini will get!

[RCL]

Some markets that you might like to dump on like they are Minor League Cities have been terrific pro golf tournament sites. The Twin Cities are one. There are others. Anyone that does not know this is stupid. (ANOTHER example were the Western Opens at Dubsdread. The attendance was terrrific...).

[On Tour]

Geoff, why do you think Aronimink is a much better course or as we know you just don't like Congo and therefore think anything in its place is a much better course? Have you played either?

[On Tour]

PS - Philly fans are all about the Phillies and Eagles. An annual PGA Tour stop is the least of their worries!

[Steven T.]

Yo Erik,

The snowball incident took place in 1968. Give it a rest. Here's the true story:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/eagles/2003-11-27-santa-snowballs_x.htm

http://www.snowballsatsanta.com/?p=17

Beer is not sold in bottles in any sports venues in Philadelphia. Give me a break. When did this incident happen?

[Geoff]

On Tour,
Aronimink has a thing called character. Even after all the renovations.

[Joe T]

Geoff,

You did not answer the question. Have you play either?

I think pro golf demands these types of courses but I don't see Amink being a huge step up. I have not played Congressional but they look awfully similar to me. There are probably 3 or 4 very good holes at Amink, the rest are just good hard holes.

[On Tour]

Amink has a lot more character around the greens I will give Amink and Geoff that but Joe T is right they are both similar in that they have really long holes with really long rough and there isn't much to look at otherwise.

What I do think is attractive to Tiger and his tournament is that both Amink and Congo are top notch clubs in the clubby sense with tons of great amenitites and rich people and all the trappings that come with having a high end Country Club atmosphere.

And I have played both and both are good but not great.

[On Tour]

Geoff, please define character as you mean it in the above post as it relates to a golf course