Tiger and his fans have a grand ol' time in Grand Blanc

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Tiger Woods said the galleries at Warwick Hills were "incredible" and "special" as he rolled to his 69th career win.

Tiger Woods did more than just win the Buick Open for the third time on Sunday. He also did more than just complete the "fortnight slam" -- winning two weeks before every major this year.

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Actually, Tiger did something that the American automobile consumer and our best politicians in Washington haven't been able to do the last 10 years or so. He gave joy to the town of Grand Blanc, Mich. -- if only for a day.

Tiger said he had never seen anything like the atmosphere at Warwick Hills on Sunday. "With the economy, how it's going on in this region, for them to come out and still support this event," Tiger said, "it's very special to us as players."

Thousands came to the Buick Open and took perhaps the only vacation they were going to get this summer. Those are the ones who are still fortunate enough to have a job in the Motor City and its outlying areas, that is. The car industry, even with billions in aid, is still reeling with little hope in sight.

All of that, however, was forgotten -- or at least put on the back burner -- over the weekend. Tournament organizers pulled out all the stops on the 17th hole and turned it into one of the great spectacles in the game.

There was a martini bar with real martini glasses. There was a wine bar serving my two favorite vintages -- "wine to go and wine to stay." There was food and plenty of seating around the par 3 that became the heartbeat of the tournament.

On Sunday there were signs in the overflowing grandstand asking Tiger for a bailout. While he and Michael Letzig were lining up their putts, the crowd chanted "One more year; one more year."

Despite all the local speculation about the tournament's future, the golf fans who have been faithful to the Buick Open for a half-century opted to decorate the wall and throw a party instead of wallowing in sadness. Tiger, of course, by doing what he does best proceeded to whip them into a frenzy.

Perhaps in 10 years few people will remember where Tiger's 69th victory came. By then he will probably have eclipsed both of the remaining high-water marks in the sport -- passing Jack Nicklaus for most majors and Sam Snead for most victories.

One thing was clear talking to Tiger after the final round on Sunday, though. He will remember. It took a Herculean effort from the golf fans in Grand Blanc on Sunday, but even Tiger was in awe. They rallied around an event in spite of the adversity. And then they rallied around their champion.

Former PGA TOUR player John Maginnes is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.