by Heidi Trilling

Paula Creamer, moments after winning the Samsung World Championship 2008, joined by Director Torrey Gane (second from the left) and the IMG team. Photo credit Heidi Trilling

(Please see additional photos on the photo essay page.)

Last month, Half Moon Bay Golf Links hosted the Samsung World Championship golf tournament for the first time, and all who attended — players, volunteers and spectators — are still glowing from the experience. 

“You couldn’t ask for a better golf course, with the views and the hotel right on the 18th green” said tournament champion Paula Creamer at the press conference following her glorious win. “It was a very special week. We have wonderful fans!”

Nicknamed the “Pink Panther” because of her pink golf togs and matching hats, hair ribbons and golf shoes, Creamer won the title, saluted her parents, hugged her caddy, and kissed her glittering crystal trophy against the backdrop of the leaderboard showcasing her triumph. 

“We had an absolutely wonderful five days,” said Torrey Gane, director of the tournament. “Everything was just great: the venue, the players, the volunteers,  the crowds — everyone!”

It is estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 spectators visited the tournament in the first few days of play, culminating in a number between 10,000 and 15,000 at the finals. 

Lyn Nelson, general manager of Half Moon Bay Golf Links and the undisputed hostess par excellence of the tournament, summed it up this way: “Every moment was amazing. Everyone helped make this an extraordinary event!” 

Mark Kendall, president of Kenmark Golf Management, added: “It was such an honor to host this tournament and have the world’s top women golfers and Samsung here. We’re very pleased, and proud of everyone involved.”

Nelson and Kendall should also be proud of their win in the Oct. 1 Pro-Am competition, the event prior to the start of the tournament. Playing with LPGA pro golfer Eun-Hee Ji, Nelson, Kendall, and their teammates Bruce Russell and Ann Lahey won a tiebreaker for first place with an eagle on the 18th hole. 

Mary Thornhill, chairwoman of the volunteer committee for the tournament, said, “It was really exciting to be in this intimate setting with the top 20 women golfers!” Thornhill also praised the LPGA pros for their supreme kindness: enthusiastically signing autographs, chatting, and making eye contact with their fans. “Paula Creamer came off the putting green and came over our volunteers’ barbeque, and just gave us all a great thank you, which was really special!”  

Julie Gonzalez, chairwoman of the greens reporters, said: “This group of volunteers were star performers! They had some very good interplay with the players. For example, Arnold Choy was one of the volunteer greens reporters at the 14th hole for Lorena Ochoa. He complimented her shot, she thanked him most graciously and gave him a big smile. That’s the kind of feedback that keeps people signing up as volunteers for these events!” Gonzalez also recounted a heartwarming story of Paula Creamer delighting a young fan — a girl of 5 or 6 years — by giving her a signed golf ball and one of her own trademark pink hats. 

Joyce Roeder was chairwoman of the media center, and her tent was aswarm with international journalists and photographers. Opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing nearly 12 hours later on certain days, the media center supported reporters at their keyboards, sending play-by-play coverage around the country and overseas. Roeder also oversaw the daily press conferences with the players. “Yani [Tseng] and the other young ones came in here and they were so excited!” Roeder said. “They loved talking to the media! … Katherine Hull said: ‘I will stand and write autographs all day long, because people came all the way out to see me.’ Lorena [Ochoa] and Annika Sorenstam — all of them — are so approachable and gracious.” 

City Council member Marina Fraser was a volunteer walking scorer. “It was so spectacular … such a unique experience to be inside the ropes with the  players! … The tournament exposed Half Moon Bay Golf Links to people all around the world! And I know all the players thought it was just a beautiful course.”

Paul Shenkman, proprietor of Sam’s Chowder House, was another walking scorer. “To be part of the play was great! You really had to be on your game and pay attention. … The course was in wonderful shape, and it was a terrific experience! I would definitely volunteer again.” Shenkman also had the pleasure of hosting Lorena Ochoa and her family, and Ji-Yai Shin (after scoring for her earlier that day) at Sam’s, along with other LPGA players, Samsung and IMG executives, and throngs of golf enthusiasts. Other local restaurants hosted the players, caddies and visiting spectators, as well. “It was just great for the town,” Shenkman said.

Police Chief Don O’Keefe also considered the tournament a fantastic success. Except for a few painful bee stings among the spectators, there were no mishaps, and there were no major security issues. “It worked out so well! I’m really proud of my staff and everyone I worked with: IMG, the LPGA folks, the city, the fire district, Half Moon Bay Golf Links, the Ritz. The pre-planning really paid off! And now, we have a blueprint for next year.”  

The overall graciousness of the tournament was epitomized by Mark Kendall coming, at the day’s end, to bid farewell to the last tournament spectators boarding their shuttle buses. “Just making sure the last of our guests take their leave safely,” he said. 

Here’s hoping they return to Half Moon Bay next year for the Samsung World Championship 2009.