Before the early days of spring begin to quickly change to the scorching days of summer that will host the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open in San Martin, tournament organizers—along with one of the biggest names in the golf media world—invited a small group of guests to see up close the venue that will be crawling with thousands of spectators for an entire week.
The U.S. Women’s Open will take place July 7-10 at CordeValle golf course. While this venue is no stranger to professional-level, star-studded competition (Tiger Woods played in the 2012 Frys.com Open there), the U.S. Golf Association’s annual women’s open is a special event, according to organizers.
“For women’s golf, this is the pinnacle,” 2016 U.S. Women’s Open Vice President and CordeValle Director of Sales and Marketing Jeff Holland said at the resort for the March 28 preview.
CordeValle has been working with the USGA for about seven years to attract the U.S. Women’s Open, Holland said. “This is the biggest event the club has ever undertaken. A USGA championship is what we’ve been after.”
Joining tournament officials for the March 28 preview of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open course was Mitch Juricich, founder and writer of the popular “Hooked On Golf” radio program, podcast and website.
“We have a big major championship coming, right here in our own little backyard,” Juricich said.
U.S. Women’s Open Creative Director Ian Long said an event like the one coming in July happens only “once in a generation” in a locale such as San Martin and South County. “Champions play here,” he said.
The tournament officials gave a brief tour of CordeValle’s grounds and how they will accommodate the thousands of visitors expected to descend on the course in July. A key site is Clos La Chance Winery, where the outdoor patio and terrace—where the general public is invited when the tasting room is open or for outdoor concerts—overlooks CordeValle. “Upgraded ticket” holders will have access to a restaurant and bar on the winery grounds.
Guests were also invited March 28 to play the exact 18-hole layout that the top USGA women will play in July. Measuring more than 6,800 yards, the length alone—combined with CordeValle’s deviously cunning and abundant placement of sand traps throughout the fairways and protecting the greens—is enough to challenge the best amateurs, be they men or women.
The early spring greens at the San Martin course are as immaculately groomed as the rest of the course, and as consistent as one would expect at a championship caliber venue, even though they weren’t lightning fast. But CordeValle Caddie Quin Boulger said that will change by July 7.
On March 28, Boulger said the greens were rating about a nine on the “stimpmeter” (a device that measures green speeds on golf courses). During the U.S. Women’s Open, which will take place in the middle of a likely dry summer, he expects that number to climb to 11 or 12—about the maximum recommended by the USGA.
CordeValle hosted the Professional Golf Association’s Frys.com Open from 2010 to 2013, bringing such golf stars as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and more to South County for the October event. In 2014, that tournament moved to Silverado Country Club in Napa.
Organizers estimated that the Frys.com Open brought millions of dollars into the local economy, and they expect the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open to have a similar impact.
Another event to help promote and celebrate the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open is coming up April 6-10, with “San Pedro Putt Putt” set to take over San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. The six-hole pop-up golf course will be open for everyone to experience “the fun of golf in a family-friendly, easily accessible format at no cost,” reads a statement from organizers. Scorecards and equipment will be provided. Photo opportunities will be available.
The putt putt event will be open 4 to 9 p.m. April 6-9, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 10.
