June 5, 2008
An invasion is headed our way.
Some San Diegans may embrace the invaders with open arms. Others may want to join in the revelry, but will have to watch from afar. Still others may want to stay afar ... far, far away ... until the madness dies down.
Hordes of golf fans will invade San Diego for the 109th annual United States Open, this year at Torrey Pines Golf Course, and you're either with them or against them.
DETAILS
U.S. Open
When: Monday through June 16, 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Tickets: Sold out
Phone: (858) 452-3226
Online: usopen.com
About 42,500 tickets have been sold for each day of the tournament. According to Open officials, about 75 percent of those tickets were sold to folks from out of town. Now, the tournament is officially sold out, but face value on this year's tickets ranged from $40 for practice rounds to $100 for rounds one through four.
This is not your grandfather's United States Golf Association (the governing body putting on the show), festooned with old-school mismatching plaid garments and goofy hats (think Rodney Dangerfield in “Caddyshack”).
The USGA and the PGA tours these days are well-oiled PR and corporate-relations machines. In today's market, professional golf means money, and with it comes all the trappings of big-time pro sports: high ticket prices and strict security among them.
So, for one weekend, San Diego is going to have to play by Open rules. Let's break this down into bite-sized portions, depending on the type of golf fan you are:
The Zealot
If you are a zealot, you have your tickets to all four championship rounds from Thursday through Sunday safely attached to your official U.S. Open lanyard, 'cause you know you need to display your tickets at all times on the course. You've dreamed about the day Tiger and Lefty roam the South Course at Torrey Pines for the past eight years, when local golfers started lobbying to stage the Open in La Jolla.
You also probably know that taking free shuttles to Torrey Pines from the parking lots at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley is the best option when considering your transportation to the event. It's not recommended to try and park in La Jolla and take a cab. Parking is going to be a mess, period, and taxis will be slammed. Park at the stadium and add some time into your schedule for parking and the shuttle ride.
The Wannabe
Maybe you're a casual fan of the PGA, or maybe you just got on the stick late and didn't get tickets before they sold out. If you want to throw down for tickets, they are available on eBay, Craigslist or the Union-Tribune classifieds for around face value, maybe a bit more. Look around before you buy.
The U.S. Open is more than happy to let you buy merchandise from them this weekend. The Main Merchandise Pavilion is open today through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. Follow the signs for parking.
If you just want to watch the Open from the comfort of your living room like the rest of the world, ESPN and Channel 7/39 will split coverage Thursday through Sunday.
The Hater (or The Anti-Fan)
“Hate” is a strong word, but this kind of golf fan will only notice the Open when traffic gets backed up on I-5. If you fall into this group, then you still believe a Tiger is an animal. You may want want to just steer clear of the madness all together.
And let's not even talk about the San Diego County Fair, which opens Saturday, June 14. Talk about a perfect storm within a few-mile radius.
First, avoid Interstate 5 and La Jolla in general. “The Jewel” of San Diego County can get clogged with traffic on a regular day, but during the Open it could get downright ugly. Watch out for normal commuting hours next Thursday and Friday – you may want to take alternative routes to work.
With all the hoopla, you may want to stick to neighborhood spots and local dives. All high-profile destinations will be swamped. Keep your head down and be patient with our friends from afar. They keep our economy rolling.
