Team Matches Probably Won’t Be Returning to Pelican Hill

Tournament organizers agree that the Hyundai Team Matches were a greater financial success this year than last, but whether it’s enough to keep the matches at Pelican Hill remains to be seen.

Several sources involved with the tournament, speaking on condition of anonymity, guessed that the 2000 edition would be the final one at the scenic Newport Coast course.

“I don’t think it’s coming back here,” one source said. “They’re already looking for other courses. They would like to keep it in Orange County, but it’s going to be difficult to find another course.”

Organizers like Pelican Hill because its scenery is good for television and it is a made-for-television tournament. But even though early attendance estimates of 6,000 for Sunday are about 1,000 more than last year, the sprawling, hilly layout that is difficult on spectators kept the number well below the 10,000 that organizers once hoped would attend.

Difficulty in finding a new course with only a year’s notice is one roadblock that may keep the matches at Pelican Hill. After the 1997 event at PGA West in La Quinta, organizers decided to switch venues because of poor attendance.

The 1998 event had to be skipped because it took nearly a year to complete a deal with Pelican Hill, according to Terry Jastrow, president of the company that produces the event. .

Jastrow said the deal with Pelican Hill is year to year and that a decision on returning to Pelican Hill would not be made in the near future.

Jastrow did not decide until June that the 2000 matches would return to Pelican Hill, so an official announcement could be months away.

There is also the chance that the matches could be canceled next year as they were in 1998 in order to buy time while finding a new location.

“It’s a function of their perception of how well the event did and ours,” Jastrow said. “We’ll sit down and talk about it.”

The decision to have the 2000 matches return to Pelican Hill after poor attendance in 1999 was based on hope that an on-course shuttle and lowered ticket prices would boost attendance.

Tournament director Gary Pollard said returning to Pelican Hill is essential in establishing a good reputation for the tournament.

“One of the ways a tournament becomes successful is with continuity,” he said.

Because of several steep hills and lengthy walks between some greens and the next tees, anyone playing Pelican Hill is required to ride a cart. Spectators at the Team Matches are not offered that option.

“Anyone who tried to walk here [while playing] would be crazy,” said one pro shop employee, who asked not to be identified.

Another detractor for spectators is the inability to watch players tee off from behind the tee boxes--a favorite spot for golf fans. On No. 3, for example, fans must watch all the action from behind the green, some 400 yards from the tee box.

Hyundai Motor America has a multiyear deal to sponsor the event, so it will take place again. Exactly where is still up in the air.

WATSON RETURNING TO O.C.

After teaming with Jack Nicklaus to win the Team Matches Sunday at Pelican Hill, Tom Watson said he will return to Orange County for the Senior PGA Tour’s Toshiba Senior Classic, Feb. 26-March 4, at Newport Beach Country Club.

It will be Watson’s first appearance in the Senior Classic. Gary McCord, who won the event in 1999, said he will also return. Allen Doyle, who also played at Pelican Hill, is the defending champion.

For tickets: (949) 515-4840.

DRIVING MR. NICKLAUS

Nicklaus, who has never played the Senior Classic, said he has not yet decided on his schedule for 2001. He’s waiting to see if he can overcome his problems in driving the ball.

“If I can find a way to drive the ball, I’ll play more,” Nicklaus said. “I love to play, I enjoy playing golf, but if you can’t drive the golf ball, it’s just horrible.”

He said he’s pleased with his iron play and his short game, but the inability to consistently drive well will keep him from playing at his customary high level.

“If you can’t drive the golf ball, you can’t play,” Nicklaus reiterated. “It’s no fun to play if you can’t compete.”

ALL-AMERICAN

Breene Murphy, a senior at Los Alamitos High, has been selected a Compaq Scholastic All-American. Murphy, who has signed with UCLA, has a 4.18 grade point average and ranks 29th out of 640 in his class.