LPGA moves Safeway International to Papago

[ckguy914]

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/articl...0090205-1877460

 

Are you serious?!

 

I hope the greens are in better condition now because when I played there about a month ago they were total crap. And I certainly was not impressed with the renovations considering how much money they spent.

 

How much more $$$ are they gonna need to condition it to LPGA standard?

 

And I guess they're gonna finish the practice area prior to it.

[teejaywhy]

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/articl...0090205-1877460

 

Are you serious?!

 

I hope the greens are in better condition now because when I played there about a month ago they were total crap. And I certainly was not impressed with the renovations considering how much money they spent.

 

How much more $$ are they gonna need to condition it to LPGA standard?

 

And I guess they're gonna finish the practice area prior to it.

 

I suppose they will be changing clothes in their courtesy cars out in the parking lot...

 

CK - I would be interested in a detailed review of your experience at the new Papago. Please share with us what you did/did not like. THANKS!

[ckguy914]

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/articl...0090205-1877460

 

Are you serious?!

 

I hope the greens are in better condition now because when I played there about a month ago they were total crap. And I certainly was not impressed with the renovations considering how much money they spent.

 

How much more $$ are they gonna need to condition it to LPGA standard?

 

And I guess they're gonna finish the practice area prior to it.

 

I suppose they will be changing clothes in their courtesy cars out in the parking lot...

 

CK - I would be interested in a detailed review of your experience at the new Papago. Please share with us what you did/did not like. THANKS!

 

This was a couple of months ago.

 

The rebuilt tee boxes were great and flat, fairways were in perfect condition, and all the rebuilt bunkers actually have nice sands in them. Major hole changes such as the first green moved back with water in play on right, and 9th hole the water moved back and actually in play now are welcoming.

 

However, outside of that, much of it was the same Papago and not all that impressive. Didn't seem like they did anything to the roughs at all, and outside of the rough were the same ol dirt crap. Not like a clear distinction of desert courses between the rough and the natural desert environment, just bad rough with dirt and rocks like before, made a big dent on my sand wedge. Alot of trees were removed or taken out by the big storm last year, leaving behind several leaf-less trees, tiny newly planted ones, and big stomps when they cut the trees down.

 

Just not visually pleasing at all to me.

 

At the time, the greens were half dead and had alot of sand, they could have recovered by now.

 

I can't believe they're charging $109 right now on Golfnow and still using the gas powered carts they had from before.

[ricar1610]

I, too, played there about a month ago and the greens are definitely not ready to hold an AGA amateur much less an LPGA event. They are not overseeded but maybe they will be healthier by the end of March. They were a goldish color and rock hard - like putting on burnt out summer greens - bumpy too. This move really surprised me because the new features, especially the greens, have not taken yet. I do like some of the renovations though. I play there 10-12 times a year and it does look better IMO but for the money not as good as it could have been. There is NO CLUBHOUSE!!!! How do you have a professional event without a clubhouse, restaurant, etc. I was upset with this and it was a Wednesday morning fun round. Interesting move. The OP is correct in that the course is pretty much the same but the tees and fairways were really nice. I like the fewer trees too. It felt different, but I would never have guessed that it would hold an event like this - especially so soon after renovating it.

 

I shot 78 from the 6800 tees with 4 doubles - I parred the bag nine. The girls should go low.

[fore_life]

*crosses fingers*

I hope Anna Rawson will be there to accept my marriage proposal

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I understand they may be hardpressed to find a new course with losing the sponsor and Superstition Moutain CC, but I agree its way to soon to hold an event like this at Papago. Sounds like they will be using portable trailers as a clubhouse etc, not to mention the course especially the greens are going to need time to mature and be aerated a few times. There are so many other choices for courses they could have gone with out here for at least another year or two. Enough to give Papago the chance to mature and build some appropriate facilites.

[poppyhillsguy]

I played the back nine of Papago early every Saturday morning for 5 years before moving. I paid something like $15 to play 9 holes. Wonder what is it now? I bet the regulars I played with are at Encanto now.

 

I'd love to see some pictures. I'm really looking forward to seeing it on TV regardless of the condition right now.

[pickblade]

Unbelievable. I was just there last weekend and I do not see how they are going to pull this off. It will be interesting seeing how professionals play on a muni track that is nowhere near tournament ready. Although it may be a good chance to get up close and personal with our LPGA favorites. I know I have already picked out Paula's engagement ring. I just hope she accepts my proposal. :lol:

[lipracy]

I just heard about this today and I was shocked. I play out there regularly and the course is growing on me but I agree with most posters here that it will be tough to get the greens in shape for the tournament.

 

The big contention among us are the facilities. The trailer for the pro shop is basically a disgrace. There are no permanent bathrooms on the course, just 2 large porta potties after 11 and the side of 6(same spot). They are trying to get a snack shack / bathrooms built near the porta potties but that will be it. The practice putting green is a joke. They will have a cart barn built by then! Woohoo!

 

If the greens are in any shape I think the ladies will go very low as the course is very manageable from the yardage they will play. It is playing very hard and fast with a lot of room to hit the driver. I hope it is shown on the golf channel as it will interesting to see what the course will look like on tv. May have to go out one afternoon just to see.

[Bay1524]

I was also shocked to hear it moved there, solely because of the greens. I played two weeks ago or so and the greens were yellow...It was a mess on that surface. I would never have guessed it would be in contention for any tournament this year. It is supposed to be in great shape come next year though. It'll be interesting to see how/if they can fix those greens so fast. Also, they will need to clean up some of that desert too. The fairways and teeboxes were in good shape though as some posters above said.

[poppyhillsguy]

Is that the 2nd hole in Golf Magazine's March 2009 issue on page 120/121?

[lipracy]

Not sure what hole that is. #2 does not have any bunkers but it is the only hole that goes into the buttes. I do not believe that is a hole on Papago. They put an incorrect picture in there.

[kander7]

This is going to completely destroy and reputation the AGA was trying to restore to Papago. There are so many courses that could hold an LPGA event at any time around here and Papago is certainly not it. I played there last week and it seems as though it is a couple years from being ready to be put on the main stage. It is all rock hard, bunkers are way too soft and greens are bad at best. No clubhouse, locker rooms or public facilities of any kind that are ready to go. The range is worthless. I just can't understand why they would do this at this time.

[teejaywhy]

A story in this morning's Arizona Republic about the ongoing preparations for the LPGA Tournament at Papago.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/golf/artic...lpgapapago.html

 

 

I'm thinking about going out on Wednesday with my camera.

[fore_life]

I was planning on going on Sat, but do you know how much it is to get inot a practice round?

[teejaywhy]

I was planning on going on Sat, but do you know how much it is to get inot a practice round?

 

Daily tickets are $20 at the gate, but you can buy advance tickets at Walgreens for $16.

 

The price is the same for practice days and tournament days.

[fore_life]

right on, much appreciated.

[teejaywhy]

Posted some pics from the Tuesday practice round in the LPGA/Ladies Golf forum:

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=243911