SAN DIEGO — Before the 2002 U.S. Open was held at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Fair-minded, N.Y., playing the same course where the national championship was held was only something the common man could dream of.
Up until then, it took a pretty deep pocket and the right connections to try to hit the same shot or make the same putt from the same place where the big names did in winning golf's most-prestigious trophy.
But holding the Open at a public course opened the door to us all to walk and play those same fairways as Tiger Woods did in winning the 2002 crown. Now it doesn't even take deep pockets, just a lot of patience and knowing the correct way to get a tee time.
Thanks to the United States Golf Association deciding to hold the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines South Municipal Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif., golfers on the West Coast now have the same chance. And as is the case with Bethpage, golfers simply have to sacrifice the time, know the process and have the patience needed to get a tee time.
Torrey Pines, owned by San Diego City, has hosted the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational since 1968 and has always been considered one of the premier municipal golf facilities in the country. For that reason it's also been difficult, but not impossible, to get a tee time at Torrey Pines.
"We are in our busy season always here," said Patrick Segawa, director of golf for San Diego City.
Also, because Torrey Pines' two 18-hole courses are city-owned, San Diego residents get a much better deal than visitors. However, the non-resident and tourist still have a reasonable chance of playing Torrey Pines.
The non-resident rate to play Torrey Pines South, the course where the Open will be held, is $115 on weekdays and $135 on weekends — almost three times the resident rate. Those rates don't include a cart. The twilight rates are $60 and $70.
There's basically four ways to get on Torrey Pines. Calling the city's reservation number, 619-570-1234, at 7 p.m. one week in advance is one, but times are usually gone within 30 minutes. If you try this method it is suggested that you use a cell phone because the redial is faster.
Tee times are also available through vendors, who basically charge you extra for going through the tee-time process for you. One of those vendors is www.torreypines.com.
You can also purchase one of Torrey Pines golf packages, which runs about $200, but allows you to make a time three months in advance and gets you a pro shop professional for three holes of instruction. These packages are available at www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com.
Then there's the most common way — arrive early and get in line for one of the dozen or so early first-come first-served walk-on tee times. The line for these times starts forming around midnight on weekends and early a.m. on weekdays. Fortunately, you can place an empty golf bag in line and return to your car to sleep. Twilight times are handed out at noon each day, with that line beginning to form around 11 a.m.
Even as precious as Torrey Pines' tee times are now, the demand will only increase as 2008 approaches. Bethpage was a first-come first-served course until the Open was held there. Now times are given in advance and only the first hour each day, and one time per hour, are first-come first-served. Most wanting to play Bethpage now camp over night for a chance.
In other words, if playing a U.S. Open course is something you'd like to do, do it soon before getting on Torrey Pines South gets even more difficult.
If you do decide to play Torrey Pines South, keep in mind that it's not an easy course. Since being redesigned by Rees Jones three years ago, it's now more than 7,600 yards from the back tees. The fairways are tight, and the rough is brutal. Also, remind yourself that you're playing a municipal course, that way you'll remember to enjoy the incredible scenery and views of the Pacific Ocean from atop the Torrey Pines cliffs, and won't get frustrated at the shaggy and slow putting greens.
If it's just the scenery you're after, you're best bet is to play the North Course at the $40 twilight rate. The front nine of the North is the most scenic anyway.
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com