| Posted on: Thursday, September 27, 2001
• Hawai'i courses making comeback
• Fleisher, Doyle, Irwin to play at Turtle Bay
• Waikoloa Open champ to defend title
• Hawai'i course of the week
• Kwon honored by Aloha Section PGA
• This week's Holes in one
Around the Greens
Rough going at resorts
By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press
Pebble Beach Golf Links is the most famous course in America that anyone can play as long as money is not a problem and tee times are booked months in advance. On a typical day, at least 200 people play golf while taking in the spectacular California scenery.
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| Pebble Beach Golf Links, above, and other resort courses felt the effects of cancellations following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
Advertiser library photo • Feb. 2, 1997
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These days are not typical.
"There is availability at Pebble Beach," chief executive officer Bill Perocchi said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "If someone came in today and wanted to go off tomorrow, they could."
The terrorist attacks two weeks ago have taken a toll on air travel and the economy, two keys for the golf resort industry.
Groups that had outings booked for late September and early October have canceled. Occupancy levels at hotels are way down, which means fewer rounds of golf. Some resorts already are considering layoffs.
"What the terrorists have done has quickly impacted our shores," said Gary Planos, vice president of operations at Kapalua, an idyllic resort on the west end of Maui.
The number of rounds played at Myrtle Beach, S.C., had been stagnant for a few years before the attacks because the area has become saturated with courses. Now it is hit with both a severe reduction in travel and a hold on leisure activities.
"Our play is off 50 to 75 percent from what was pre-booked," said Skip Corn, the general manager of the TPC at Myrtle Beach.
Perocchi said several corporate groups canceled outings at Pebble Beach that were scheduled for September or early October. Most of those calls came in the first few days after the World Trade Center was destroyed.
Since then, the number of cancellations has slowed considerably. By late last week, some groups had called to reschedule.
Still, Perocchi cannot forget the day of the attacks and the eerie lack of activity at Pebble Beach. Players gave up tee times to gather in the Tap Room and watch television.
"Everyone was in such a state of shock," he said. "Some people decided to go out and play because they were here, they were helpless, there was nothing they could do. But a lot of people were glued to the TV. I don't recall the Tap Room being so crowded."
While resorts are struggling, golf remains a popular diversion. The segment that could benefit more are local courses.
More than a dozen private clubs and public courses surveyed by Golf World magazine in New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Texas, Florida and California said they either were barely affected or were packed.
How long it takes the resorts to recover remains to be seen.
Champions Gate in Kissimmee, Fla., had a 288-player shotgun on its International and National courses last Wednesday. Golf director Kevin Perkins said the Silicon Valley company that arranged the outing canceled the tournament, nervous about executives flying across the company.
"We saw the impact immediately," Perkins said. "The last two weekends have been busy. We're starting to think that things will turn."
| Wanted: Aces with story to tell |
| Advertiser Staff
Was hit a perfect shot?
Was it blind luck?
Did you judge the wind?
Did you just hack away?
Tell us about your experience shooting a hole-in-one.
Fax or e-mail your hole-in-one experience and you could be featured in The Advertiser's Golf Report.
Stories must be typed and brief, around 50 to 100 words. They must include the date, course, hole, yardage and club selection.
Return phone numbers must be listed. Holes-in-one must have been reported to The Advertiser by the golf courses.
Fax submissions to 525-5491 or e-mail to: sports@honoluluadvertiser.com. |
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| Notices |
| Over 80 golfers lined up for Turtle Bay tourney
Advertiser Staff
More than 80 Senior PGA Tour players have entered next month's inaugural Turtle Bay Championship. The $1.5 million tournament is a full-field event for 78 players. Organizers expect approximately 40 will play in the Monday qualifier, for four spots.
The Championship will be Oct. 5-7 at The Palmer Course at Turtle Bay (formerly Links at Kuilima). Five former Ka'anapali Classic champions have entered: George Archer (1993), Bob Charles ('90, '95, '96), Hale Irwin ('97, '00), Bob Murphy ('94) and Jay Sigel ('98).
The field also includes 34 of the top 50 on this week's money list, and six of the top 10 Ed Dougherty (9), Allen Doyle (2), Hale Irwin (3), Mike McCullough (8), Dana Quigley (7) and Jim Thorpe (6). J.C. Snead is the latest to enter.
Turtle Bay is the 35th of 38 official tour events this year. The Senior Tour Championship is Oct. 26-28. Official 2001 prize money totals more than $59 million.
The tournament will hold a free junior golf clinic after Saturday's second round, at approximately 2:30 p.m. The clinic will be conducted by Chi Chi Rodriguez, Steve Veriato and Lance Suzuki. Parking is free, and fans will be shuttled to the spectator village to watch golf and for the clinic.
COMING EVENTS
Sept. 28 — The Marriott Links to Literacy Golf Tournament. At Ko Olina Golf Club. Registration at 9 a.m. with shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. Format: Teams of three. Information: Hawai‘i Library Foundation 837-8069.
Sept. 28 — Na Leo Dance Party. At Ko‘olau Golf Club’s Grand Ballroom sponsored by American Savings Bank. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert and dance starting at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 per person; $25 at the door. Information: 236-4653 ext. 246.
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| How to get listed |
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To have your event included in upcoming sports notices, please write to:
Sports Notices
c/o Advertiser Sports
P.O. Box 3110
Honolulu, HI 96802
e-mail to: sports@honoluluadvertiser.com
Preference is given to nonprofit organizations and special recreational events. Participation fees and deadlines must be included. Fax your information to (808) 525-5491. Remember to include names, dates, deadlines, telephone contact numbers and fees.
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