Ordinarily, professional golf causes about as much buzz in a sports bar as curling. That is, unless Tiger Woods is contending in a major championship.
More than two dozen fans were glued to the big screen Monday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Arvada while Woods battled Rocco Mediate for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
“You could tell that even those who aren’t golf fans were really into it,” staff member Sarah Holt said. “We even turned the sound on. We don’t do that much for golf.”
The volume has been turned down on professional golf in 2008. Two days after claiming his 14th major championship, Woods said on his website that he will undergo season-ending ACL surgery on his left knee, the one that caused him to wince through his dramatic U.S. Open championship performance.
Woods had arthroscopic knee surgery after the Masters in April, but revealed Wednesday that his knee problems were more serious than previously known. He ruptured the ACL while running near his Orlando, Fla., home last summer, and two weeks ago was diagnosed with a double stress fracture of his left tibia (shin bone) before dropping out of the Memorial.
“That makes what he did at Torrey Pines even more amazing,” said Bob Roush, a 44-year-old call center specialist from Arvada who was on his way to play golf Wednesday afternoon when he heard the news. “He was hurting. But there was a determination that said: ‘Let’s do it. Let’s make it happen.’
“He had to tell himself, ‘I might not be at my best, but just dig it out, dig it out.’ He’s an inspiration to everybody, whether you’re into golf or not.”
Jenna Caruso, a 16-year-old member of the Ralston Valley High School girls golf team, said watching Woods on TV inspired her to take up the game three years ago.
“That’s really bad news about Tiger,” Caruso said while practicing her iron shots at Stoney Creek Golf Course Wednesday. “It makes me sad; he’s a legend. He’s fun to watch. But when he comes back, everybody will be excited.”
Until then, look for television ratings for PGA Tour events to take a hit. When Tiger is in contention, estimates show TV audiences are about 30 percent larger than when he isn’t playing.
“I’m not sure my wife will watch much golf with Tiger out,” Boulder-based attorney Marvin Woolf said after playing 18 holes with pals at The Heritage at Westmoor Golf Course in Westminster. “Tiger seems to be all she’s interested in.”
Stoney Creek teaching pro Ron Lohman admitted even he, as a member of the golf business, likely will watch less televised golf until Woods comes back.
“Tiger just creates so much excitement,” Lohman said. “After his tournaments are over, we get an influx. We see more beginners come out.”
Golf course operators are wondering if a Tigerless golf season will affect their business.
“You see a definite uptick when Tiger wins,” said Brian Carlson, head pro at The Heritage at Westmoor. “We’ll put the majors on our televisions, and golfers will walk by and avoid looking at it. They’ll say: ‘Don’t tell me what’s happening. I’m TiVoing it.’
“There’s just a special feeling when Tiger is playing. Like with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, it enriches the game. It gets everybody pumped up. I jumped out of my chair three times watching on Monday. Then I wanted to go out and hit a bucket of balls.”
“Casual golf fans might lose interest in watching golf,” said Dyrl Schweitzer, a 58-year-old salesman who was hitting practice balls at Lake Arbor Golf Club. “But those who like to watch golf will be interested to see somebody else step up.
“There will always be a good matchup and some drama. That’s the nature of the sport.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
