Bryce Miller: Torrey Pines could be candidate for reshuffled Genesis Open in fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades
Published in Golf
SAN DIEGO — Rumblings swirled this week that the PGA Tour would be forced to find a backup or replacement for the Pacific Palisades-based Genesis Invitational, which is set for Feb. 13-16.
One of those possible contingencies for the Los Angeles community ravaged by a wildfire was whispered to be Torrey Pines Golf Course, which is set to host next week’s Farmers Insurance Open.
Then hurry-up-and-wait became be-ready-set-go.
The Tour released a statement early Thursday afternoon that the tournament will be played elsewhere with a venue update provided “in the coming days.”
“The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live (a company of tournament host Tiger Woods), and out of respect for the unfolding situation (in Los Angeles), we have determined that the 2025 Genesis Invitational will be played at an alternate location the week of February 10-16.
“A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.”
Early Friday, Century Club CEO and tournament director Marty Gorsich ticked up off the sizable and unique to-do of potentially holding another tournament in La Jolla.
But he started with this.
“No one from the PGA Tour has contacted me, but I know they would have to make decisions soon,” Gorsich said.
Once the release arrived, Gorsich said it could be a tea leaf that Torrey Pines is not a leading contender — even if it could handle a second PGA event.
Torry Pines is a place that surely entered into conversations, however.
“I would assume they’re already talking to where they’re thinking about going, but I’m only make assumptions,” Gorsich said. “But I could get a call in two minutes.
“I would assume they’ve narrowed a list and it’s hard to impact being put on a list without talking to us. There are vendors who bounce from event to event, bathrooms and tents go out three weeks earlier.
“You don’t just snap your fingers.”
If Gorsich does get a call, the laundry list would be daunting,
Start with Torrey Pines being a city course, meaning approval with those bosses would be a first step. Factor in public tee times already booked, along with rooms at the neighboring Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Are they selling tickets to an event with no fans, hundreds of fans, thousands of fans? Will they need the normal brigade of 1,100 volunteers? Will they play on the normal two courses early or one for the entire run?
That would trickle down to bleacher seating, tents, parking and concessions. There also are ancillary concerns like police and security coverage, media facilities and much more.
“There are lot of questions I would need to ask,” Gorsich said.
In a normal year, the vendors for tents, electricity, etc., would pack up for other events or clients. The show wraps up and leaves each location at blistering speed. Staying put for three weeks might be unrealistic.
“Once that last putt drops,” Gorsich said, “it’s on to the next.”
Farmers officials, though, have dealt with a range of unique things thrown their way in the 2000s alone.
They conducted a tournament during the COVID with no fans. They adjusted to a move to playing days, shifting to Wednesday through Saturday to avoid competing with the TV behemoth that is the NFL playoffs.
They determined a champion in a tournament that carried over into Monday during the old format because of a massive windstorm that uprooted legacy trees across the course. There have been tournament delays due to fog.
There’s probably a plan somewhere for locusts.
“We’re not afraid of a challenge,” Gorsich said.
So much more is being factored into a possible decision to move the event.
The move away from Riviera Country Club made sense as sports of all stripes navigate the crisis in Los Angeles.
The NBA briefly postponed games, while the NFL repositioned the playoff matchup between the Rams and Vikings to the Cardinals home in Glendale, Ariz.
“In some ways, it’s plug-and-play from one arena or stadium to another, though they have some of the same logistical hurdles as you might have in golf,” Gorsich said. “With a golf tournament, though, there’s probably a lot more to it.”
The Farmers director pondered other locations.
Sliding to Pebble Beach could be tricky with expensive tee times, booked hotels and flights purchased to a destination location. Going to Phoenix, home of the popular Waste Management Phoenix Open, would have pros and cons.
“On one hand, it would all be set up,” Gorsich said of the event that leads into the Genesis from Feb. 6-9. “On the other hand, some of the same players on the same course for two weeks might not be ideal.
“But they could reposition it to be a tribute to all that Los Angeles has gone through.”
The reality: Somewhere with logistical hurdles will figure it out. Torrey Pines has plenty of reasons and a résumé to be considered, even if Gorsich still is waiting for the phone to ring.
Then the cat-juggling begins.
“Normally, Mother Nature throws us our biggest curveball,” Gorsich said. “But we have experience (with curveballs).”
Gorsich will be ready, just in case.
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