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KIA CLASSIC NOTES: Industry Hills receives rave reviews

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INDUSTRY – Officials at Pacific Palms Hotel and Conference Center and Industry Hills Golf Club should know in fewer than 60 days if this week’s Kia Classic is coming back in 2012.

The tournament was moved to Industry Hills from Carlsbad’s La Costa Resort and Spa because of a $10 million course renovation and came here on a one-year contract with an option. Heavy rain – as much as five inches have fallen on the facility since last Sunday – hasn’t affected the crowd turnout, which has been bigger than most estimates, nor has it dampened optimism toward a return engagement in 2012.

Michael Sprague, vice president of market and communications for Kia Motors America, said he wants to study the television numbers from The Golf Channel’s four days of broadcasts and attendance figures before deciding whether or not the Kia Classic is coming back, but he has been impressed with what he has seen. He also said he would prefer the tournament keep its current date, which falls a week before the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the tour’s first major of the season.

“The crowds have been great, there’s really good support from the community and the players all seem to be really enthused with the course and how it’s playing,” he said during Saturday’s third round.

“There are a lot of different factors. For us, we have the best of both worlds. We have two phenomenal properties, we have great dealer support here and down in San Diego. It will be a tough decision, but we’ll work closely with the LPGA to make the right decision.”

John Semcken of Majestic Realty, which owns Pacific Palms, said he’d like to have the tournament back.

“I think the location is the perfect place for the tour for a lot of reasons,” he said. “One, the demographics of their tour matches us perfectly. The population and numbers of people here makes it so easy … we’re overflowing with people. With our hotel and facilities, the players can stay here and their families can stay here.

“Most important, what the tour needs is Hollywood. I think they can create celebrities out of their players and make this tour something that America’s going to watch. I think these girls are really special.”

Korean support

South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi, third going into today’s final round, expected to be one of the crowd favorites when the LPGA tour visited Chonburi, Thailand and Singapore in February.

She’s also has a pretty good following in the United States, at least at this weekend’s event at Industry Hills.

“It’s the first time I can remember it being like this (in the United States),” said Choi, who signed autographs for nearly 30 minutes after shooting an 8-under 65 Saturday afternoon.

“When we’re in (Asia), a lot of fans support us. I don’t usually receive a lot (in the U.S.). But now, I feel like I’m in Korea.

“Everyone has treated me real nice. They say, `Hi, Na Yeon.’ I say, `Hi, thank you.”‘

steve.ramirez@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, Ext. 2296 larry.morgan@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, Ext. 2724




From www.whittierdailynews.com


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