Born almost a century ago, it was always a great layout — even served as a regular PGA tour stop in the mid-1960s. Over the decades however, it fell into deep despair, until rescued by past USGA President Sandy Tatum. Millions of dollars were spent in the revitalization, and the PGA Tour's TPC division took over daily management hosting prestige events like the PGA Championship and the President's Cup.
Yet, for all that history, the LPGA had never played at TPC Harding Park — no Annika, no Karrie Webb, no Se Ri Pak, nor Lorena Ochoa ever did battle on those hallowed fairways that run against the backdrop of Lake Merced. "For all those high-level events, a big piece was still missing," said TPC Harding Park's GM Tom Smith." This is a public course and that was a big hole we needed to fill."
The LPGA already had its initiative to play more major venues, and then Hanwha LIFEPLUS came on board to sponsor and re-introduce the International Crown. The timing was good, and everything came together very quickly. The LPGA was back in the Bay.
"Hanwha LIFEPLUS has their U.S. headquarters here in San Francisco, and they wanted to host their event here," explained Smith. "So, it almost all wrote itself."
The stature of the golf course, the cachet, elegance, and international flavor of the city, combined with 32 of the best women players in the world, made it all a near perfect venue. It was a star-studded field, loaded with former LPGA major championship winners. And for many of those players, who didn't (and don't) have another opportunity to participate in a match-play, team event, it was a source of immense pride. "It means a lot to them to come and play for their country, " said LPGA Tournament Director Scott Wood. "And the format lends itself to see a different side of certain players."
Cited as the lone local tie to the event was Danielle Kang, who was born in San Francisco and threw out the first pitch at the Giants game on Friday night of the tournament. " I'm really proud to represent my country at every opportunity that I get," said Kang. "Hosting the International Crown on U.S. soil in San Francisco, my hometown, is a pretty incredible experience for me."
Nice touches for the tournament included a special concession stand that served the famed burger dogs (normally only available at Olympic and Silverado); an evening gala for players and VIPs held under the rotunda at City Hall; and the numbers on the players' jerseys that they chose themselves.
In the end, team Thailand (Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Patty Tavantanakit, and Athaya Thitikul) blew away the competition, winning the crown(s) and almost every match, in definitive fashion--but it was also certainly a victory for San Francisco, TPC Harding Park, and international team-golf as well.
"With all the golf talent that has come through here over the years, this only builds on the legacy of this property," said Smith. "Sandy would see that he had passed the baton, his great vision was being fulfilled, and I think he would be beyond thrilled that we hosted a women's professional tournament, especially a global event like this."