THANKS for the memories, Kapalua. And in the case of the tournament's title sponsor the last six years -- Lincoln-Mercury -- thanks for the ride. It doesn’t take a pro
to know this party was specialI call it the Last Great Kapalua International. And I can't think of a more fitting way for it to end than having Davis Love III as the last champion.
Love, the reigning PGA champ, won in record fashion yesterday and finished as the event's all-time money winner.
But the Kapalua tournament was never about money or winning.
Oh, the money's fine. In the tournament's 16 years, the PGA Tour players never complained about it being "funny" money. Golf might have a "Silly Season," but don't number Kapalua as one of its events.
The tournament began as a party -- the "Kapalua Golf Party" -- and that spirit hasn't changed despite the competition.
In 1982, Mark Rolfing came up with the idea of inviting more PGA Tour pros, and a modest 54-hole event -- the Kapalua Open -- began, with Hawaii's own David Ishii becoming the first champion.
The following year, Kapalua went international. Having Greg Norman win -- his first victory in the United States -- put the tournament on the golf map.
Later, back-to-back victories by PGA Tour Player of the Year Fred Couples gave the event more credibility. And now Love, another two-time champion, has added a star to Kapalua's collection.
INDEED, there have been a lot of memories -- for the professionals and their amateur partners. If anything, the pro-am helped give the event a unique quality.
"The amateurs don't want this tournament to end any more than we do," Love said.
"I think I've made more friends in this event probably than any event I've ever played. I don't think any tournament on Tour has done more for the players. And not just the pros. They do the same for every amateur they've ever had here.
"Obviously, if I win a tournament (in 1998), I'll be back for the Mercedes. But my family will always come to Kapalua. I think what we are going to miss are the amateurs and the big family atmosphere. This is not just a golf tournament."
Rolfing has talked about holding a "golf party" at Kapalua next November for amateurs who are anxious to return.
It could never be on the scale it has been, but don't be surprised if there's a 36-hole pro-am early in the week so it won't conflict with any postseason Tour event. It probably would have to be held at the Bay Course since the Plantation Course will undergo work in preparation for the Mercedes Championships.
IT won't take much to convince the amateurs to return. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roger Clemens says he'll be the first to sign up. And pencil in Larry Ullman of San Ramon, Calif., who has played in all 16 Kapalua pro-ams. He's the Peter Jacobsen of the amateurs.
It will be great to see the Kapalua Bay resort hosting the Mercedes Championships, but it won't be the same. It will never have the laid-back atmosphere the players and spectators enjoyed in the Kapalua tournament over the years.
And the parties: Huey Lewis, Hootie & The Blowfish, Kenny Loggins, Vince Gill, Stills & Nash.
The Kapalua International is a "very special event," Love said. "And maybe it'll be that much more special because now we can reflect on how great it has been."
So, Kapalua, thanks for the memories. Having covered all 16 tournaments, I know I'll miss it.