The sprawling, 700-acre golf course known as Legends on the Niagara wrapped up its four-day hosting of the Canadian Women's Open on Sunday -- not bad for a venue that, a little more than two years ago, didn't even exist.
Legends, which opened in June 2002 to the tune of about $17.7 million (U.S.), was the "no-brainer" choice for the competition, according to tournament director Sean Van Kestern of the Royal Canadian Golf Association.
"We knew it had all the qualities we were looking for," Van Kestern said. "We knew the greens would be in great shape, which they are. We knew that because this is a new facility it is actually not a bad thing, with technology these days and new grasses.
"They just had all the bells and whistles to make the golf course present itself well. Everything logistically was perfect for an LPGA Tour event here."
It was the first major competition played at Legends, and officials kept several factors in mind for the week.
"Going in, we thought three things were going to define this golf course," said Tom Newton, superintendent for Legends' Battlefield course, where the tournament was played. "No. 1 was fast greens, but it stayed wet early in the week. No. 2 was the rough, but I don't think the rough even mattered (because the fairways were wide). And No. 3 was the wind, and the wind did not show up."
Just a little over a week ago, Natalie Gulbis was in South Hadley, Mass., competing in the U.S. Open at The Orchards.
"The greens were in better shape and the fairways weren't quite as long," Gulbis said, comparing Legends to The Orchards. "The other one had a lot more trees and was a little bit open, but the thing that made this golf course so great was that the greens were so pure, you could really make your putts."
Winner Meg Mallon agreed.
"This was the best conditioned golf course we've played all year," she said.
The Niagara Park Commission, which owns and operates the course, was happy with the public's response. Attendance totaled 12,500 on Sunday and 41,000 for the tournament. In addition, about 1,200 people signed up to be volunteers -- so many that some had to be put on a waiting list.
"It shows that this area is enthusiastic about golf, enthusiastic about professional golf coming to our doorstep," commission Chairman Brad Ward said.
There has been talk about the men's Canadian Open coming to Legends, and Van Kestern acknowledged that such an arrangement was a possibility.
"There would have to be some changes to the golf course, changes to the (length and width of the) fairways," he said. "It would look very different from what it looks like now."
Commission Vice Chairman Archie Katzman said he was hopeful Legends would host a men's Canadian Open.
"We'd certainly be interested in talking to them about that," Katzman said. "We know one thing though: We're capable of running a major tournament."
Source: Buffalo News (New York)