Golf on the West coast is about to get a whole lot more exciting.
According to Mike James of the LA Times, an email has been sent to the members of Los Angeles Country Club regarding a vote to stage the 2023 U.S. Open on the club’s North Course. If the vote goes through, a deal would have to be negotiated between the club and the USGA before LACC becomes an official site for the national championship.
The USGA has created an Open schedule that roughly alternates between the coasts. In 2015, the Open will visit Chamber’s Bay in Washington state, then head to the fastest greens on the planet at Oakmont in 2016, and Erin Hills in Wisconsin for a Midwest venue in 2017. In 2018, the Open is back at Shinnecock in the Hamptons, and in 2019 we will enjoy the best of the west (aka Pebble Beach) followed by New York’s Winged Foot in 2020. The Open goes to a gem on the cliffs of San Diego called Torrey Pines in 2021, and we are skipping 2022 for now but does anyone doubt it will be in the Northeast (aka the greatest collection of golf courses on the planet).
And that brings us to 2023, and possibly the first time LA has had an Open since 1948, when Ben Hogan won at Riviera. It’s hard to believe Los Angeles hasn’t had an Open for over 65 years, but hopefully the deal with LACC happens, and golf on the West coast can gain some steam.
When I went to the Northern Trust Open this year, I was disappointed with the lack of star power in the field. Tiger, Phil, Rory, and Scott were not there, and Fred Couples was stuck being “the man” at the Riv. At one point, Couples showed up in the booth during the telecast, and he spoke about recruiting a few more stars to come to the Pacific Palisades.
If Couples is able to accomplish his goals for the Northern Trust, then West coast golf will become a powerhouse. Tiger normally starts his season at Torrey, the Match Play is moving to San Fran, and the West will be getting the U.S. Open every other year.
It’s looking good for the best coast indeed.
–Bernie D’Amato (@bdamato711)
