Here’s what Petco Park looks like as a nine-hole golf course
Two weeks ago we told you of the plan to transform San Diego’s Petco Park into a temporary golf course. At the time, the Padres, in partnership with Callaway Golf, officially announced a nine-hole golf experience tabbed The Links, which would give fans an opportunity to swing the clubs in a unique environment and take shots on to the playing field from various tees set up around the ballpark.
Well, that transformation is now complete, and it’s almost time to tee it up.
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According to the Padres, over 1,500 golfers are ready tee off during the five-day event beginning on Thursday. That event was originally slated to take place Nov. 6-8 only. However, due to an overwhelming response, the event will start Thursday and continue through Monday.
Here’s a look at the setup in the planning stage.
Pretty cool!
Both the Padres and Callaway Golf have been amazed by the response so far. Slots for the original three-day event were filled in a matter of three hours, which is pretty amazing. The event is booked solid for five straight days now, with tee times running from 7 a.m to 9 p.m. Considering golfers spent $50 for a solo round, $100 for a twosome and $200 for a foursome, we’d say this will go down as a very successful venture.
“It surprised me a little, but I thought it would be popular — that people would dig the novelty of it, ” Padres team president and CEO Mike Dee said Wednesday. “But I think what people are going to be surprised at is it’s not like something you want to do once. We hope to do this every year. It’s cool to play. It’s challenging golf, you’re taking full swings, the conditions out here, there’s wind, there’s sand traps, there’s elements.”
Given the limited space, every hole is a Par 3. Each has a unique theme however, and the tee boxes are spread out all over the ballpark. According to the setup, six are located in the upper deck, including a spot right behind home plate. Perhaps our favorite though is the ninth tee, which sits atop the Western Metal Supply Co. building.
The distances range from 62 yards at No. 7, to 145 yards at No. 2. So it’s not like you have to be Dustin Johnson out there to knock a good drive. Of course, some skill is required (and preferred by those who will be sharing the course and maintaining it) but this sounds like something even the most casual of golfers or even non-golfers would enjoy.
BLS H/N: Cut 4
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
