In 1968 the City of San Diego and The Century Club of San Diego formulated a partnership to host the annual PGA TOUR golf tournament at the City-owned Torrey Pines Golf Course. The partnership has been in place now for forty years and has been prospering since its inception.
In addition to the numerous hours of national network television coverage on an annual basis, the economic impact to the City has grown to over $30 million each year, with the total economic impact to the City now over $600 million since moving the tournament to Torrey Pines.
The City Park and Recreation Department and The Century Club have worked hand-in-hand each and every year with The Century Club providing some of the funding for needed improvements to the golf course, including purchasing new equipment and supplies.
In 2002, the Friends of Torrey Pines, a group of interested citizens and avid golfers led by Century Club members raised over $3 million to have the South Course at Torrey Pines restored by noted golf course architect Rees Jones with no cost to the City. The cooperation of the City to approve the proposed restoration project solidified our relationship in not only wanting to provide the best possible venue for the annual PGA TOUR event, but also to the general public who play at Torrey Pines each and every day. The results of the project brought interest from the USGA and eventually the selection of the South Course to host the 2008 U.S. Open.
There can not be enough said as to the enthusiasm and dedication of the City Golf staff to work with The Century Club on an annual basis to provide the best possible playing conditions for the annual PGA TOUR tournament. We are looking forward to many more years to come.