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Ideal choice Rochester should host the next major
Posted: Monday June 12, 2000 03:27 PM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Canada-based du Maurier Classic is apparently on its way out, so there has been much talk about which tournament will assume its role as the LPGA tour's fourth major. Recent speculation suggests the Big Apple Classic (minus the JAL sponsorship) has first dibs, or maybe the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore. After much thought, I give the nod to the Wegman's Rochester International tournament, last week's LPGA stop. While both courses in the running have many fine qualities, I came up with 10 good reasons why this stop in upper New York would be a perfect replacement.
10. The course: The tree-lined layout of Locust Hill would be an ideal site for a major championship. There is room to add some length, and if last week's scores are any indication (only six players finished under par), they might not need to stretch it. 9. Proximity to Canada: Its location, an hour-and-a-half drive from Niagara Falls, would make the transition from the du Maurier that much easier. 8. A rich history: The Rochester International is one of the oldest tournaments on the LPGA schedule. And over the past 24 years greats such as Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Patty Sheehan, Dottie Pepper and Karrie Webb have all gone home with the title. 7. Oak Hill Country Club: This site of past Ryder Cups and U.S. Amateurs is right around the corner. It is also gracious enough to allow the caddies and players to sneak out and play nine holes. (Sara Sanders and I played there on Saturday and gave Sue Ginter and Tish Certo a drubbing they will not soon forget.) 6. Top-notch tournament director: Jerry Stahl knows what it takes to put on a major championship. He was the top honcho when Oak Hill hosted the 1989 men's U.S. Open. 5. Plenty of parking: The only stop on the tour where the local residents rent out their yards for people to park. As the week went on,the price went up.. On Wednesday the cost to park across the street from the clubhouse was $6. By Sunday, the same spot was going for $12. 4. Lawnchairs: To reserve their spots, fans put out their own personal seats around the greens and leave them there all week. It's evidence enough that Rochester has a low crime rate. 3. A great sponsor: Wegman's has made more than a commitment to women's golf. Besides jacking up the purse, the grocery store chain has treated the players like queens. Not many sponsor charter planes to fly the players from tournament to tournament. 2. Best supermarket on tour: Even though Kroger's is a great sponsor, they couldn't hold a candle to Wegman's. The store has everything. The other night, I went there to pick up some shampoo and ended up having a five-course meal -- first some fresh sushi, then a cup of chicken noodle soup, beef and broccoli entrée from the Chinese restaurant, a oatmeal and raisin cookie from the bakery and a chocolate shake for desert. Luckily, I didn't have any problem finding the Pepto-Bismol. 1. Super fans: Every year, Rochester has one of the best and most knowledgeable galleries on the LPGA tour. Only in Rochester would 300 people follow a group that teed off at 7:30 a.m. in the pouring rain. No other fans on the tour would be more deserving of the right to host a major championship. Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, caddies for Sara Sanders on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
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