The USGA today announced that CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif., will "host the 2016 women’s Open" set for July 7-10, according to Ron Kroichick of the S.F. CHRONICLE. It will mark the "first women’s Open in the Bay Area and only the third in California." The choice of CordeValle is "surprising in some ways, given its remote location -- nearly 30 miles south of downtown San Jose" and "absence of rich, competitive history." But the USGA "covets holding one of its national championships near Silicon Valley" and its "corporate money" (SFGATE.com, 6/25). The AP's Antonio Gonzalez notes CordeValle had "all the ingredients the USGA craves: a wealth of corporate dollars some 30 miles north in the San Jose area, the space needed for a major championship and a scenic setting." Returning to California also gives the event a "later start time on the East Coast, which means a coveted primetime audience for television." Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will serve as "honorary chair of the tournament" (AP, 6/26).
FRAMING THE SHOT: On Long Island, Neil Best notes '13 U.S. Women's Open host Sebonack Golf Club is just 7 years old and "does not have the history of most courses that have hosted national championships." But the Southampton, N.Y., course can "compete with any when it comes to scenery." NBC Sports Golf Producer Tommy Roy said, "This is one of the most spectacular courses ever. It would be very similar to Pebble Beach, except in this case the greens aren't right next to the water." Roy said that giving viewers a "sense of place is a priority." That includes shots "from a blimp, which are not usually deployed for women's Opens, to show off the golfing neighborhood, including Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links of America" (NEWSDAY, 6/26).
