Finchy & the CBS Golf Team Kick off the 2009 Season with the West Coast Swing
January 30 2009 | Comments off
I’m off to Phoenix this week for the FBR Open, the first of four weeks on the West Coast for the CBS Golf Team. We will cover 22 PGA Tour events in 2009 beginning with the West Coast swing - an ideal kick off.
The FBR is always an exciting event as the stadium 16th hole provides a unique experience for fans and players. Gary McCord watches over the 16th, and trust me when I say he’s in his element in this outrageous atmosphere.
We all look forward to the FBR as 100,000 fans per day pour through the gates, especially with their hometown Cardinals playing Sunday in the Super Bowl against The Steelers. This year’s FBR Open is sure to be a rowdy affair. Look for one of the long hitting young guys to notch up a victory this week.
After Super Bowl Sunday I drive through Palm Springs, stop off for some great golf at Toscana Country Club, and over the mountains to Torrey Pines for the Buick Invitational. The players look forward to returning to last year’s US Open venue where Tiger narrowly edged Rocco for his 14th Major victory. Horses for courses at Torrey Pines, look for the local favourite Phil Mickelson to win this one as he always plays well at the Buick.
From San Diego to Monterrey tough duty huh! The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is one of our favourites at CBS, as we enjoy The Lodge, the fantastic atmosphere that the celebrities help provide and the glorious views of the Pacific. There are three courses in the rotation - Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills and of course Pebble Beach; it always provides a fun event to watch and enjoy. Once again the older, experienced players seem to have the best record at this event. V.J. Singh lost in a playoff to Steve Lowery in 2008, so look for V.J. to make amends.
The Northern Trust Open played at Riviera Country Club in LA closes out our four week stretch on CBS with one of the strongest West Coast fields in attendance. Big Phil defends this year around one of the Tour’s finest old layouts that all the Tour players love. You must shape your driver and strike your irons with conviction around Riviera so look for one of the Tour’s better ball strikers to win. The Aussie’s like it here due to the Australian feel the eucalyptus tree lined fairways provide. Robert Allenby is the best Aussie striker and has won here before.
The golfing world awaits the return of Tiger Woods but I doubt we will see him before The World Championships, if at all, or before The Masters.
One thing’s for sure, and that is he will not play again until he’s ready to win and only a fool would bet against him winning his first start. I think he will start in Miami, Florida at the CA Championship at Doral.
Enjoy our CBS telecasts and if you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate as I do in South Florida get out there and play as often as you can and support the golfing economy in 2009.
Cheers,
Finchy
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