Bad news if you’re a fan of the famed Poppy Hills course in California, it looks like it might be on its absolute last leg when it comes to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Word is, it could be replaced, and replaced soon and completely taken out of rotation. You might be upset if you love the course, but if you’re Tiger Woods or any number of other pro’s that have never liked playing the course.
Woods and Others Loathe Poppy Hills
If you were unaware, and I must admit I was, Poppy Hills actually was the replacement for another course back in 1991. Poppy Hills came in and replaced Cypress Point Golf Club due to some questionable membership policies, but quickly fell out of favor. According to reports:
“..the course quickly became known for a lack of seaside vistas, an abundance of doglegs, and too many six-hour rounds…Poppy may soon be replaced in the AT&T rotation by Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore course, a gem by the ocean that has more in common with AT&T tournament courses Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.”
Offer Rejected in 2005…Now?
Given the current economic climate, Monterey might want to reconsider their rejection of this offer that was present in 2005 as it’d be an amazingly productive move to lure new members into the club. The other great news, if the switch does occur, is this switch might actually be the bait that Tiger Woods needed to come and play next year’s AT&T Pro-Am, considering that the U.S. Open will be held at Pebble Beach’s rotation in 2010.
Bye Bye Poppy?
Whatever the case may be, Poppy Hills might soon find itself extinct from the rotation, and we might be seeing a lot more beautiful, a lot more scenic, and a lot more exciting play at Monterey. Stay tuned.