Why the Boeing Classic is different from the Sr. Open and US Amateur

THE NORTHWEST’S ONLY ANNUAL CLASSIC

By Brian Beaky

Editor, Cascade Golfer magazine

 

It’s easy to be sucked in by the allure of the big USGA events that are coming this summer. Hey, we don’t blame you — by all means, get excited for the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee and the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay. After all, these are marquee events for our region, drawing the world’s best players — and the eyes of a national television audience — to the Puget Sound region for two weeks in August.

Every golf fan in the region should absolutely make it a point to support both of these events this year, and show the USGA that the Seattle area not only has some of the best golf courses in America, but the best golf fans, too.

But as we throw our full ticket-buying and birdie-applauding weight behind the two headliners this summer, let’s not forget that the USGA may never have cast its net so deeply into our region this year were it not for the passionate support we’ve shown for our area’s ONLY annual PGA Tour stop — the Boeing Classic, our region’s largest employer’s annual gift to the golfing public.

While USGA events come and go, local golf fans have always been able to count on the Boeing Classic, held Aug. 23-29 at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, to deliver an all-star cast of the game’s greatest pros to our region for one fun-filled week each year. What’s more, the event is an annual shot in the arm for local charities, with over $3 million in charitable donations coming in over the last five years alone.

Whether it’s watching Hall of Fame greats like Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price and others debate whether to try to clear the yawning canyon at No. 14 (Curtis Strange, I’m looking in your direction), enjoying the teeth-rattling fly-bys by Boeing airliners, or just walking one of the most scenic courses in Washington with guys like Mark O’Meara and Fred Funk, the Boeing Classic is the one week each year where the golf world comes to us, and a regular reminder of why the PGA Champions Tour is considered the most fan-friendly event in sports.

And of course, this year’s event will feature the homecoming of Seattle’s favorite son, Fred Couples, who has already said he plans to play in the Classic as long as it’s on the schedule. The best place to watch Freddie this year will be in the expanded Canyon Club, a large viewing area and hospitality suite on the 14th green. With a view of all the tee shots flying across the canyon, the 14th green and the 18th tee, you’ll be able to share in the action at the Boeing Classic’s signature hole for just $50 a day on top of the ticket price — which, at just $20 a day, or $60 for the entire seven days of action, is a better deal than a 3D movie.

As always, kids under 14 are admitted free with a paying adult, and Boeing employees, suppliers, contractors and retirees receive free admission for themselves and a guest by showing their Boeing badge at the gate.

So, certainly, go out and support the USGA events coming to our area this summer — it’s going to be a fantastic ride for Puget Sound golf fans. But in all the excitement, don’t forget that there is only one PGA Tour event that we can truly call our own, and it’s up to us to make sure the world knows it.

 

Reprinted with permission from the June 2010 issue of Cascade Golfer magazine

 

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