Turning Stone PGA Event

[Parker0065]

I know this is the fall series and Tiger/Phil are not there but I went to the final round today and it was a great tournament that unfortunately due to darkness is not over yet.

My son and I followed Adam Scott around for a few holes before we followed the final group. It's fun to watch Scott because he really does have a world class swing but who knows why he doesn't play better or win more with that swing. The problem must be between his ears:)

We spent most of the day following Matt Kuchar and cheering him on! It was a little anti-climactic with the playoff being called for darkness but what a great putt Kuchar made on the first playoff hole on #18 to stay in it after he muffed it on that hole in regulation.

I hope Kuchar gets the win tommorow when they resume the playoff!

[Grndslmhttr3]

I was hoping I'd be able to go there; I was visiting Colgate University this weekend and that tournament isn't too far from there.

[Parker0065]

I live about 90 minutes away and most of the trip is intersate so it's pretty easy to get to compared to going down to "The City" for a sporting event!

I've went to this tournament 2 of the last 3 years and I plan on making it a yearly trip as long as it lasts. It's really a beautiful course that was basically carved and shaped out of blah farmland.

They must have spent a ton of money on this course. Turning Stone/Onieda Nation probably have enough money to bail out the entire state of New York,,,lol!

[PEZGolf]

Ray Halbritter and the Onedia Nation, who sponsor this tournament and put up the $6 million purse, are trying their best to get the tournament moved to a date in June-August. Earlier this year, when Buick dropped their Open, which is held at the end of July, I thought Turning Stone might be the replacement sponsor. However, The Greenbrier was given that date. So now, Turning Stone is on the "waiting list" to get a better date. The first chance may be in 2011 since the schedule for 2010 is all set.

This last two years, the weather has been really crummy---rainy, cold, and windy. As a consequence, the attendance has been very low---under 20,000 for the week, and most PGA events draw that many in one day.

[Gerardv]

The people that run the event deserve a better date. From all accounts, they do a great job of making the players comfortable and, just as important, making the fans comfortable.

I have no horse in the race, I just like to see people that work hard get rewarded.

[Parker0065]

Kuchar wins the playoff! Way to go Kuchar!


As far as moving the date of the tournament I'm all for that! Upstate NY golf tournaments in October can be tough like the first two rounds were this year.

One thing that I think hurts attendance at this tournament in October is that everyone is in football mode this time of year. Turning Stone is surrounded by 4 NFL teams and I think the average sports fans are spending thier time and money on football/baseball playoffs in October.

Another thing I've heard people complain about is lack of hotel space there in Verona for those coming from long distances. Verona NY is basically in the middle of nowhere's-ville. The closest city is Syracuse about 30 miles away and considering all the Syracuse University logo's I saw yesterday this is where they draw the most people. The problem with that is Syracuse, like many other western NY cities have been hurting economically long before our current recession.

They need more hotel space and better weather so they can draw more fans from the NY City/Boston market!

[PEZGolf]

Kuchar wins the playoff! Way to go Kuchar!

Everything that you wrote is correct. As for the lack of hotel space, there are some new hotels being built---for example, on North Genesee Street in Utica, right near Thruway Exit 31. So, if the tournament does get moved to a favorable date in the period of June-August, there will be more spectators and more hotel space to accommodate them. In addition, special bus trips could be arranged for New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Connecticut. After all it is a casino, and there is more to do there than just watch golf.

[Grndslmhttr3]

This last two years, the weather has been really crummy---rainy, cold, and windy. As a consequence, the attendance has been very low---under 20,000 for the week, and most PGA events draw that many in one day.

Have you ever experienced upstate New York weather?

And the attendance is also very low because it's not a big time PGA tournament; the field is a lot of low-ranks.

[PEZGolf]

Have you ever experienced upstate New York weather?

Yes, I do know the weather. I was born and raised here. For most golfers in this area, the clubs are already put away. Only those of us who are real "golf enthusiasts" keep playing until the "white stuff" covers the ground. It is one thing for us to play in a cold wind, but we are not going to go and watch a golf tournament under those same conditions. This tournament needs to be moved, or the attendance will never increase. A move to July or August will also attract some of the higher ranked golfers. This year, the highest ranked player was Dustin Johnson, who won last year here and is ranked 15th on the Tour.

[Grndslmhttr3]

Yes, I do know the weather. I was born and raised here. For most golfers in this area, the clubs are already put away. Only those of us who are real "golf enthusiasts" keep playing until the "white stuff" covers the ground. It is one thing for us to play in a cold wind, but we are not going to go and watch a golf tournament under those same conditions. This tournament needs to be moved, or the attendance will never increase.

True; golf tournaments in Upstate New York in October isn't the best idea, although I got some really good weather when I played at Colgate's Seven Oaks course.

[PEZGolf]

True; golf tournaments in Upstate New York in October isn't the best idea, although I got some really good weather when I played at Colgate's Seven Oaks course.

Seven Oaks is one of my favorite golf courses, not just in this area, but anywhere in the US. It is a true championship course, as you know, and you have to bring your complete game to score well there. I love the setting, especially where the long par 4 sixth hole runs alongside fraternity row.

I have not yet played it this year, but I may yet get the chance. Even in cool, fall weather like we are having now, Seven Oaks is a pleasure to play. As you said, that is OK for us who live in this area, but having a PGA Tournament is very difficult when the weather is working against you every year. Spectators will simply not brave the elements to stand and watch.

[PEZGolf]

Next year may be the last year it will be held. Yesterday, the person in charge, Ray Halbritter, the Representative of the Oneida Nation, said that if the PGA Tour cannot give them a new date in July or August by 2011, it is very possible they will drop their sponsorship. This is called "playing hard ball", and it may backfire. Tim Finchem may decide that going public like that is NOT the way to conduct business.

Mr. Halbritter says the casino and resort get more "mileage" out of having Tiger there for one day than holding the tournament, so what is the point if they have to be stuck with a crummy date? It will be interesting to see the final outcome of this dispute.

[Gerardv]

Next year may be the last year it will be held. Yesterday, the person in charge, Ray Halbritter, the Representative of the Oneida Nation, said that if the PGA Tour cannot give them a new date in July or August by 2011, it is very possible they will drop their sponsorship. This is called "playing hard ball", and it may backfire. Tim Finchem may decide that going public like that is NOT the way to conduct business.

It will be interesting to see how it goes. The Tour is already worried about losing sponsors, so they might play ball.

You're right, it will be fun to see the final outcome. I hope the tournament sticks around.