Pros express regard for troubled Buick Open
July 30, 2009
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)—Two-time champion Tiger Woods will be makinghis ninth appearance in the Buick Open. In the face of Buick’s plans to pull itstournament sponsorship after this year, he hopes it won’t be his last.
“Obviously this area’s been struggling a bit,” Woods said. “I think theatmosphere, all the players have really enjoyed playing in front of the fanshere. It is very intimate.”
General Motors Co. will end its half-century run as sponsor of the BuickOpen, a person briefed on the decision told The Associated Press this week. Theperson spoke only on the condition of anonymity because the announcement willnot be made until the tournament ends.
Whatever the status of sponsoring agreements, several PGA Tour prosexpressed their affinity for the Warwick Hills course’s tree-lined fairways,short layout and distinctly human feel.
It’s the small-town atmosphere that makes the Buick unlike many PGA Tourstops.
“That kind of support, that kind of commitment from the fans to come outand see us play, yeah,” 2003 champion Jim Furyk said. “That’s what makes agolf tournament special and what the guys enjoy.”
Fifty miles north of Detroit, Grand Blanc has big-city ties without the needto compete with other major sports.
Luxury suites are seen on the … AP – Jul 29, 3:42 pm EDT
“It’s easy to do Chicago or Boston. It’s a big deal. It’s the PGA Tour,it’s still Tiger Woods and the best golfers in the world. But you have to goagainst the Phillies and the Celtics,” Furyk said. “We really thrive in thosesmall-medium size cities … You can feel a sense in the crowd because it’s abig deal around those towns.”
Sometimes, this even includes running into some of the same fans andmarshals year after year.
“You see the same people on the same greens, on the same tees each andevery year. You kind of get to know them, say hi to them, how’s everythinggoing,” Woods said. “You don’t get to say that in any other tournament, exceptfor maybe the Masters because some people have been going to the Masters for50-plus years in the same seat.”
The course’s close-up feel extends to its geography. A generally flat layoutand short hole distances emphasizes a solid short game and technical skill overbooming drives, something 1995 winner Woody Austin said is lacking in manymodern courses.
“I love traditional golf. I love old golf courses,” Austin said. “You getcourses like this when the guys can’t hit it up over the trees and they actuallyhave to hit golf shots, which they’re not comfortable with.”
And then there’s the 17th hole and its legendary grandstand.
“It’s a tournament that you know regardless of how you’re playing, whattime of the day you’re playing, you’re still going to have a big crowed around17,” Austin said. Despite the lack of certainty on the sponsorship and widesupport for the event, Wednesday’s Pro-Am often felt like a going-away party.Woods drew widespread gratitude for his appearance at the tournament.
“I can’t tell you how many times I heard out there, ‘Thank you for coming,Tiger,”’ said rocker Bob Seger, who played in a Pro-Am fivesome with WoodsWednesday. “I mean, everywhere he was walking: ‘Thanks for coming.”’
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
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