I like golf. I like playing it. I like watching it. But lately, I’ve been pretty bummed about it.
For the past week, Maui has been enjoying the company of golf’s finest: Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard. These are all golfers who have been here before and have graced us with their presence at the Grand Slam of Golf held on Kaua‘i for 13 years, the last 12 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
O‘ahu, this week, will enjoy watching these guys and Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Woody Austin is my favorite because of his nose-dive into the water at the President’s Cup.
I’m so jealous Maui and O‘ahu have these events.
I think Kaua‘i needs to bring another major golf event here, if only for my own selfish reasons.
While there isn’t much Kaua‘i can do about it because it’s the Professional Golf Association’s decision, I can still point out of few reasons, outside of my own interests, as to why it would be good for the island.
In 2006, the last time the Grand Slam was held here, 88 million homes watched the broadcasts from the Golf Channel and TNT. They were broadcast internationally to more than 100 countries during a special prime-time telecast.
Kaua‘i reportedly earned more than $2.4 million in Grand Slam visitor spending that same year.
But aside from the financial gain, the Grand Slam gave local kids to experience a major sporting event and see the star athletes. Junior golfers opportunities to participate by filling divots and handing out the programs.
The 2006 Grand Slam was my first year ever getting to go to a professional golf event. It was so awesome watching Woods, Weir, Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy playing in person.
On the second hole, Ogilvy’s drive landed right where I was standing and when he and his crew walked over, all I could think about was how I wished the ball had actually hit me.
I know that’s sounds completely silly, but then, I would’ve actually been a part of the whole ordeal and stories would come out about how Ogilvy hit me. That would’ve been totally funny. But I guess the story of how the ball landed next to me is good enough.
After it was over, I was so excited that I couldn’t wait for the next year’s Grand Slam. I was already talking about the plans I would make to watch it, what polos I was going to where and everything. I had all the accessories, I bought a pink Grand Slam shirt, I had a hat and a ball marker for my hat.
But then of course, a month later, the PGA announce plans to move the Grand Slam to Bermuda. I was so disappointed. The Grand Slam was such a good thing that I just didn’t want the story to be true.
I remember Woods saying how much he loved coming here and that it would be a shame to not have it back here. Sure enough, last year, when he got the invite to the Grand Slam in Bermuda, he opted out.
So we were left without the Grand Slam last year and I’ve had to watch everyone enjoy Maui.
At least Hawai‘i still has the Mercedes-Benz Championship and this week’s Sony Open. I will be there to watch and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it, but it’s still not the same as enjoying it in your own backyard.
The contract to hold the Grand Slam in Bermuda expires this year, so we’ll see what happens.
