An event has never belonged in its host city like this one
By Dave Lagarde, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
AVONDALE, La. -- Saying New Orleans is unique is akin to spouting, with pompous assuredness, an ocean is deep or the sun is hot.
Not really breaking new ground there if you get my drift. So here's something you might not know about New Orleans. It is, despite the ugly warts that remain from Katrina and its aftermath, a lovely and lively, spirited and cultured, gastronomically and musically correct place to dwell. It is a city in possession of a wonderful and soulful mojo, one unlike any other within the boundaries of this land.
The Crescent City developed its engaging personality and offbeat rhythm by serving as a melting pot, one where the Spanish, Africans, French, French-Canadians, Irish, Germans, Italians and Latinos all played a part in creating what today rests atop all that swampy muck.
Seven flags have flown over it in governance. And all along, its adaptability and malleability have shown through, making it the kind of city that would make the United Nations proud.
Interestingly, New Orleans' PGA TOUR stop has mirrored the city in its history, with the 2008 event marking the 60th edition of the tournament that began in 1938 (but took a nine-year break from 1949-1957). This week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans has been played on four different courses and had a total of 10 different names while six corporate flags have been raised signifying its partners.
The most unique development, however, has come from its list of champions. Matter of fact, simply calling the roll would make the United Nations proud because it too is a melting pot.
Talk about diversity of nationalities. A Canadian (the late George Knudson in 1967), a Spaniard (Seve Ballesteros in 1985), two South Africans (Gary Player in 1972 and David Frost in 1990), a Welshman (Ian Woosnam in 1991), an Englishman (Lee Westwood in 1998), a Paraguayan (Carlos Franco, who went back-to-back in 1999 and 2000), a South Korean (K.J. Choi in 2002) and a Fijian (Vijay Singh in 2004) have hoisted the championship hardware. Throw in David Toms of Louisiana and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to add a banana republic to the list.
New Orleans also is the place to catch a rising star. The city's TOUR stop fosters first-time champions like a Louisiana marsh breeds mosquitoes. Ten of the last 17 winners in New Orleans -- Woosnam, Westwood, Franco and Choi among them -- have broken through here, including the last three, Tim Petrovic, Chris Couch and Nick Watney.
That's not to say the Crescent City has gone wanting for World Golf Hall of Fame names on its trophy, though. Between its inception in 1939 and 1948 Harry Cooper, Henry Picard, Jimmy Demaret, Lloyd Mangrum and Byron Nelson located the winner's circle while Sam Snead and Ben Hogan had near misses. Move into the modern era, and you'll find Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw there, too.
What resumed in 1958 as a meager civic venture that offered a $20,000 purse has grown into a financial giant that will dole out $6.2 million to PGA TOUR players after the final putt falls at TPC Louisiana come Sunday. That means every player who makes the 36-hole cut and cashes out will take home more than Billy Casper's first-place check of $2,800 in 1958.
The tournament was given life by members of the New Orleans Golf Association who sold $100 sponsorships throughout the Gulf South region to underwrite the tournament purse. It took almost a year to raise the necessary funds, but it was worth the effort. The first event made a $10,000 profit. Half of it was presented to Children's Hospital, as the tournament began another long run as a good citizen in New Orleans. The not-for-profit Fore!Kids Foundation, which handles the daily operations, has guaranteed that part of the financial equation. More than $15 million has been raised for local and regional charities, the majority of them with emphasis on children.
"Our main goal always has been to run a first-class golf tournament,'' said Mike Rodrigue, who served eight years as the chairman of the Board of Fore!Kids. "The charity work was a natural spin-off. Now we try to make as much money as we can for kids, and the best way to do that is through the golf tournament.''
It doesn't seem like such a long time ago that the tournament was celebrating its 25th anniversary. "I do believe we've had a pretty good history,'' the late Jack Weiss, who was a long-time tournament director, said.
It is 25 years later. If only Weiss could see this unique, naturally New Orleans event now.
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