Author: AFH
Each winter, things get pretty wild in Poipu. More often than not, therer a Tiger on the prowl.
Thatr "Tiger" as in Tiger Woods, of course. Professional golfr reigning superstar has been a dominant big-money player in Poipu in recent years, winning four consecutive PGA Grand Slam of Golf tournaments from 1998 to 2002. After the 2002 event, which Woods won by an amazing 18 strokes, Sports Illustratedr Gary Van Sickle was moved to write: "This, people, is what an A-Game looks like: Michael Jordan in the playoffs. Joe Montana in the last two minutes. Secretariat in the saddle. And Tiger Woods in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf."
An annual event, the PGA Grand Slam brings together the winners of the Professional Golf Association Tourr four "grand slam" events?he Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and the PGA Championship?or two days of exciting competition. The winner not only earns the lionr share of a $1-million purse, he also earns bragging rights as "Champion of Champions."
For golf fans on Kauai, the PGA Grand Slam is their very own slice of golf heaven. Even the 2003 edition, a Tiger-less affair (Woods failed to win a major that year) with four lesser-known PGA stars, provided a spectacular exhibition of golf played at its highest level. Jim Furyk, who captured the U.S. Open earlier in the year, won the event by eight strokes, besting Mike Weir (the 2003 Masters champion), Shaun Micheel (PGA Championship) and Ben Curtis (British Open). Furyk pocketed a cool $400,000 for his efforts.
The PGA Grand Slam is also a sparkling showcase for the eventr venue, the Poipu Bay Golf Course. Designed by noted architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., the 18-hole championship course annually earns high marks from respected golf publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf debuted in 1994 and has featured some of the sportr biggest names, including Woods, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Faldo, John Daly, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, David Duval, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Paul Azinger and Jos?Maria Olazal.
Photo Credits:Photo1: PGA Tour
?2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved.
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