Editorial for Saturday — December 06, 2003

• Tigerless Grand Slam still a treat

Tigerless Grand Slam still a treat

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is highlighting Kaua’i on an international cable TV broadcast reaching a global audience this week.

The absence of golf phenom Tiger Woods has been the big news in the weeks and months leading up to the annual golf tournament, but for those attending, he hasn’t been missed.

Now that tournament play is under way the focus is on the competition between U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk, who took the lead yesterday in the first day of the two-day event; Masters champion Mike Weir; British Open champion Ben Curtis; and PGA champion Shaun Micheel.

While rainy Kaua’i weather added a challenge to the morning play, and put a damper on the size of the gallery following the match during the first few holes, the 18-hole round of play proved in the end to be world-class with Furyk shooting a 5-under-par 67.

The PGA Grand Slam also gives the Island a boost in self-esteem. The Grand Slams held in the years following Hurricane ‘Iniki showed Kaua’i was still capable of holding a top-level PGA tournament, and that we were back on the map in the world of tropical tourism destinations. The presence of Tiger Woods in several of the recent post-hurricane tours was also a major boost for Kaua’i. Today the tournament is part of the Kaua’i experience for many local residents and visitors, and a highlight on the annual calendar of events. That we take it for granted that the event will return each year is a sign of the stability and prosperity we are now experiencing.

The staff at the Poipu Bay Course and the Hyatt Regency Kaua’i, along with the Grand Slam volunteers and workers, make the event happen, and are to be congratulated on again pulling off a major golfing event in a manner that’s equal or better to golf tournaments held in Honolulu and on the mainland.