By. John K. Abendroth, PGA
Torrey Pines and the Farmers Open, previously the Andy Williams San Diego Open brings back a whole batch of golf memories for me.
In 1969 several of my friends and I played in the World Junior golf championship at Torrey Pines South Course. At the time you only had to sign-up, now there are difficult qualifying events to get you into the field. Dale Hayes from South Africa won the event, he is now a long time broadcaster.
A first memory that comes to mind was on number 18 there was no pond in front of the green. It seemed like an obviouse plan to build the pond that is there now.
A short 6-years later I monday qualify for the Andy Williams and have a good finish at T-25. My check that week was $1265 and the best part was it earned an exemption to the L. A. Open then the Glen Cambell Los Angeles Open at Riveria the following week.
In the monday event we played at a different course on a cold foggy moring. Behind the first green I see two people which was rare for monday qualifying. It turned out to be Joe Papa, the Father of my golf friend Don who played with me at Harding Park in San Francisco and Joey Rey, the long time teaching pro at Harding...what a great surprise to see them. I'm sure it inspired me to do well.
Bruce Devlin finished in the group behind me and became famous for his 10, with the incident being called "Devlin's Billabong." His ball got to the green in 2, but rolled back into the new pond, he took 7 swings at it in the lake. His debacle earned me an extra $140.
The hotel on the right side of number 18 was where the driving range was and I really enjoy watching the event every year.
One last memory was driving up to the player parking lot with my friend Ray Arino in my Brother's blue VW Bug...we had to show our credentials to get in.
Enjoy the Farmers/Andy Williams this week.