Jun 15

Despite great set-up, Torrey Pines has the ugliest finishing green in U.S. Open history

Players have sung the praises of Torrey Pines as a U.S. Open venue. It’s “tough but fair"—a phrase that seems to be a mantra around here this week. This said, Torrey Pines has some flaws. And I’m not just saying this to be contrarian. A couple of examples leap immediately to mind (and land with a sickening thud smack dab on my hypothalamus): The tee box at the 10th hole has got to be the most hideous abomination of a tee box ever. Even for a municipal course—which Torrey is—it’s terrible. Massive air conditioning units from an immediately adjacent building roar continuously just behind a chain-link fence (but still in view). Ugh. Ernie Else and Jeff Ogilvy tee off on the spectacularly ugly 10th tee at Torrey Pines. More seriously, though, is the terrifically homely, completely contrived 18th green complex. The reachable, back-to-front canted green would be far too dull (and easy to hit) without some gimmick. The gimmick is a pond that is completely contrived, unnatural, and utterly devoid of character. Seriously, it looks like one of my kids designed the hole. I’m not saying the water feature shouldn’t be there, but it could at least have a little zazz, a more amorphous shape, perhaps, with a fountain or a bridge. Lipstick on a pig, this, but at least it would be memorable. Fortunately for Torrey, the USGA, and us fans, Tiger’s amazing Saturday finishing eagle lent the very memorability that the final hole itself lacks. Let’s hope for the same today. Without the bleachers, would you ever believe this green is on the closing hole of a U.S. Open venue?

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6 comments

§ Chris Baldwin® said on : 06/15/08 @ 15:35
Kiel, Torrey Pines South is not a pretty golf course except for its ocean-view cliffs. I've been writing that for more than a year.

But what you're missing is that 18 - pretty or not - has been setup as the most exciting hole a golf major has seen in years and years.

And if you don't think Torrey looks good now, come back in two months when it's just back to its regular maintenance. This is the best this place has looked in twenty years. Torrey regulars would crawl over each other to play it in this condition.

It's usually not even close.
§ Kiel Christianson said on : 06/15/08 @ 20:08
You're right, Chris. The set-up is perfect. It's just, well, a few spots are downright ugly. That's OK--Prestwick has it's train tacks, Augusta has its rednecks, and Pebble Beach has 6 world-class holes, and 12 mediocre ones. Still fine venues all...

I want to make sure that we keep a balanced perspective.
§ steven said on : 07/23/08 @ 00:15
That's bullshit about the noise on the 10th. I was there at the open, and I spent a good half hour at that tee watching the golfers come through, and I never once noticed any noise. And that finishing 18th hole always packs excitement, because it is dangerously reachable and risky.
§ Melbourne Hotels said on : 10/14/09 @ 10:58
Though it's ugly, the thing is the game turn out smoothly. Hope I can watch the game again next year.
§ Amanda said on : 11/17/09 @ 04:33
Challenging or not I think truly classic courses should strive for aesthetics as well as complexity. Torrey Pines has a long way to go in my humble opinion. I know that a variety of restrictions are put on a course as popular and as open to view as TP but come on fellas, let's get serious and put those greens fees to work!
§ Search on Mp3 said on : 03/19/10 @ 06:48
I wouldn't say that it is that ugly))))))) Nice post. I really liked it. Don't forget to update it regularly. I am looking for new updates dying to read more stuff from you.