SAN DIEGO — Word on Wednesday that crowds were down — at least in the early hours — for the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open generated some reader response.
Mainly grumbling about ticket prices for the event at Torrey Pines.
"A big reason the fans are low I suspect is that they didn't let local youth groups sell the $35 tickets to raise money this year," Rancho Penasquitos' Chris Cahill said. "I sure hope that comes back."
Added San Diego's Dale Adair: "The normal practice of offering complimentary tickets for the first two rounds for military personnel was eliminated this year.
"Instead, the policy is now 20 percent off, but at $75 per ticket the cost is still $60. Not many military-affiliated folks living in San Diego during these challenging economic times can afford that plus the additional expenses of parking, food, drink, etc."
Del Mar's Thomas Sydorick said because of the higher cost of general admission tickets — which rose to $85 for the final two rounds — this is the first time he's missed the tournament in 30 years.
"Just had to vote this year with a shorter purse string," Sydorick said.
This is a year of change for the Farmers, with the Wednesday start and virtual ticketing, among other things.
The cost of doing business, and the way business is being conducted, has changed as well.
Farmers Insurance Open CEO Marty Gorsich said the practice of allowing youth groups was eliminated after concerns over monitoring charity benefits.
"A couple of the charities that were doing it, we found out that how they were using the funds was very inappropriate," Gorsich said. "It was just a very old, antiquated program and we said, 'Look, we definitely support charities, but we couldn't herd the cats of all these little ones that would sell 40 tickets. ... One of the biggest issues was these charities would do it, but we didn't have the bandwidth to actually say, 'Is that money going to charity? How are you using it?' "
Despite Cahill's hopes, the youth charity program isn't expected to return.
"We decided, let's focus our funds and energy on the primary charities we support," Gorsich said. "We know where it's going. We know we're making a difference."
Farmers officials discovered that often the $35 tickets (as well as some free tickets given to military members) were being purchased by scalpers and/or ticket brokers, whose secondary sales undercut the primary ticket market.
As far as pricing, Gorisch said if fans made their purchases a month ago, they could have gotten tickets for $50.
Prices were higher for those who waited to make a purchase the week — or day — of the tournament.
"This market was trained to wait until the last minute," said Gorsich, who aims to change that mindset. "If you're going to wait, you're going to pay a premium. That's the only way you shift behavior. ... We're not trying to price people out, by any means."
If it gets earlier commitments, Gorsich said, the Farmers can better plan for concessions, rest rooms and staffing at the event.
Gorsich said the turnstile count — boosted by midday arrivals — was actually higher for Wednesday's opening round this year than it was for Thursday's opening round two years ago (no fans were allowed last year).
And they're off ...
For those who thought the craziest prop bets were for the Super Bowl ...
A group of spectators positioned adjacent to the South's 9th tee box were wagering on seemingly everything and anything during the third round.
When the final group took the tee, one guy bet another that Jon Rahm would reach the fairway before Justin Thomas after their shots.
"C'mon, Rahm, I've got $100 on you to beat JT off the tee box," one of them said loud enough for the golfer to hear. "There's another $10 in it if you beat him."
The offer did little to motivate Rahm.
Thomas beat him by two lengths.
Heard, not seen
Those expecting to get a glimpse of CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz perched in the TV tower behind the 18th green can forget it.
Nantz is in Kansas City to call Sunday's AFC championship game between the Bengals and the Chiefs.
He's still here in voice, calling the golf action from the stadium site.
"Super bummed that this is going to be the case from now on unless the tournament date is moved," Nantz told San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Bryce Miller. "I'll always be up against championship game weekend."
Then again, Nantz could always call the football game from Torrey Pines.
