Castle Rock – In past years, Tom Watson would come to The International and ask to go fishing at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. Phil Mickelson likes to take trips to the zoo with his family. His wife wants massages at a local spa. Some players ask for helicopter rides.
Those are just some of the VIP treatments golfers, their friends and families receive when at The International, a tournament that has made its name by going the extra mile to build loyalty.
“No tournament is better. This is the tops,” Stewart Cink said.
Other tournaments have taken notice the past 20 years and are stealing a page from The International playbook.
“Oh, yeah, it’s getting competitive,” tournament director Greg Vickers said. “Spoiling players is fine. But the expense that the tournaments are going at, I think you have to draw the line somewhere. It’s getting a little bit carried away.”
The Wachovia Championship, he said, flies players’ wives out for shopping sprees. With 48 tournaments on the schedule and the average pro playing just 20, competition is fierce to attract the best field.
International founder Jack Vickers pledged early on that no tournament would offer better service. Recently, The International was voted the No. 1 tournament in terms of player amenities in a poll of players conducted by Sports Illustrated.
The International provides a fleet of cars and travel arrangements so players can visit the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, go fishing in the mountains or attend a Rockies game. The food spread is basically whatever a player wants, starting with lobster for breakfast. With such red-carpet treatment, players make a point of returning.
“I would say The International has always been the leader in that department,” Mickelson said.
“They spoil us to death,” Charles Howell III added.
It doesn’t stop there. Some players are provided lavish homes on the golf course to stay in for the week.
“It’s a great big house, very nice, comfortable and clean,” Sergio Garcia said of where he’s staying with fellow players.
What’s next? K.J. Choi says he’ll be asking for kimchi (a traditional Korean dish) next year.
Rain, rain, go away
The afternoon group in Wednesday’s pro-am, which teed off at 1:30, was suspended four holes into play because of rain and lightning. The forecast calls for more rain today.
“The course is in great shape, best I’ve ever seen,” Lee Janzen said. “I’m just hoping that if it rains, it doesn’t rain very hard because I don’t want to see it play wet and sloppy. I want it to play fast and firm.”
Footnotes
With an eagle, six birdies and a bogey, Howell finished first in the pro-am with 16 points. Howell was paired with Joe Mancuso, Mike Serum, Dave Sedlock and Tim VanWyngarden. Garcia had eight birdies, six on the back nine. …
Greg Norman, who has battled back problems the past decade and recently made his Champions Tour debut, feels revitalized.
“I feel like I’m in my low 40s, to tell you the truth, and I’ll stack up myself against a lot of guys fitness-wise, and I think that’s what the secret is,” Norman said. “Keep yourself mentally solid, physically strong, and you can pretty much do whatever you want to do.”
The two-time British Open Champion underwent surgery on the nerves on his foot and thigh March 22 to relieve pressure in his back. The International marks the fourth consecutive week he is competing.
Bryan Chu can be reached at 303-820-1979 or bchu@denverpost.com.
