For the second time in as many weeks, San Francisco played host to a major golf tournament.
Last week, it was the LPGA, and this week, the world’s top 64 golfers participated in the Cadillac Match Play at San Francisco’s Harding Park.
After a $16 million renovation more than a decade ago, the public course is good enough even for the elite.
“The exposure that this event brings! We’re telecast in 235 countries," Cadillac Match Play spokesman Tim Clark said. "We’re going to approach 900 million homes, and it’s great for San Francisco. It’s great for the game of golf.”
For locals, it’s a treat to see professionals play the same public golf course they do.
“It’s awesome, absolutely," San Francisco resident Walter Gillette said. "I think San Francisco deserves to have a major tournament like this.”
And fans can get pretty close to the players. For 10-year-old aspiring pro-golfer Patrick Kennedy, it was pretty amazing to see his idol and world’s number one player, Rory McIlory.
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“That was awesome," Kennedy said. "He’s the best player in the whole world right now, and he’s my favorite player. So that means a lot.”
Some fans were disappointed, though, when they didn’t get to see Ricky Fowler’s normally bright clothing. He was dressed pretty tame Saturday, but Steve Kadash picked up the slack.
“It’s a John Daly. It’s called ‘loudmouth,’" Kadash said. "I’d been wearing it for I don’t know how many years, and it’s fun!”
Even Rory McIIory’s cousin who now lives in San Francisco had to catch the action.
“Never. Never in the wildest dreams thought he’d make it this far. But look at all the hype around him now," Jarly McIlory said. "He’s doing really well. He’s doing well.”
And golf is not quite done with San Francisco yet. The U.S. Amateurs will be playing the next several days at the nearby Olympic Club.
