LA QUINTA (Calif.) — Mark Weissman noticed the large number of professional golfers at this year’s The American Express PGA Tour event. These were the first to make an appearance in Coachella Valley, where they played in the college tournament Weissman started 23 years ago.
Jon Rahm was a two-time American Express winner who participated in the Prestige at PGA West college event for Arizona State. Xander Schauffele was third in the American Express this year. He played for San Diego State. Sahith Theegala was a big star for Pepperdine. Sam Burns played at LSU, Tom Hoge played TCU, and many other players were part of The American Express.
This is what makes Weissman so excited for the Prestige tournament, which will be held February 20-23.
Weissman, who founded the tournament hosted each year by UC Davis, said that it was great to see who will follow Schauffele and Rahm to the PGA Tour.
The Prestige will be again played at Greg Norman course at PGA West La Quinta with 24 teams representing the United States. Teams will play three 18-hole rounds. An individual tournament will be held this year at Terra Lago Golf Club in Indio.
Weissman is concerned about the 24 teams of five players that will be competing in the event. The Santa Rosa Mountains, which are just a short distance from PGA West, can cause shorter winter days and make it difficult for some to finish the day. He said that the numbers should be fine.
“The coaches felt that due to the large number of teams who want to come here, and the great weather in February, when it is still cold elsewhere in the country, it was important that (the field) be opened up to more teams,” Weissman stated. “We did it last year and it worked well so we are going to do it again this year.”
Early season competition
Tournament host UC Davis will lead the field with Cy Williams as head coach, and Stanford with Conrad Ray as head coach. Stanford was the co-host of this event for many years and continues to be involved in the tournament. TCU, LSU and Northwestern have all been regulars in the tournament, as has Pepperdine, TCU and Texas Tech. These teams will return while other teams will be making their debut in the desert.
Weissman stated that there is a large number of potential teams who would like to attend. It is difficult for universities to decide, so I am able to provide some guidance. “But this is the first time Creighton and Nebraska are coming. They are coming back to Charlotte, which hasn’t happened in a while. Louisville will be there for the first-time.”
The Prestige has seen six to seven players bring their teams, and the additional players compete for the individual title. This event was now a separate individual event at Coral Mountain Golf Club, La Quinta. The individual event, which included 60 players, is now moving to Terra Lago Golf Club.
Weissman stated that it was a great opportunity. “They are extremely pleased to have this event and it seems like teams are really pleased to be playing at that course, which was clearly a Skins Game course. They’ve done some renovations.”
After a COVID-19 suspension, one feature that is returning to Prestige is the junior clinic. It will be held February 19. All juniors are welcome to the event, which is free for them. Coaches from college teams will be giving lessons.
Weissman stated that the junior clinic will be returning for the first-time since 2020. “With the support from the Southern California Golf Association junior program, the First Tee Foundation and other organisations, kids and their families from all over Southern California will be able to come and learn golf with us. This event is unique because it is the only one that we know of where most of the Prestige coaches are teaching kids from kindergarten through high school.
Weissman believes that the Prestige will soon be broadcast on television, with college golf becoming more popular in the United States and on television. He said that while the tournament was streamed live once, getting to television is still a goal.
He stated that there was a strong interest in national television. “We hope to achieve that milestone in very near future.”
