TOM KITE: The TOUR has made that mistake many times and they will continue to make that mistake of playing the TPCs too early. First of all, there's been some question about the design of the TPCs, in their hurry to get to the TPC sites, their hurry to play those early courses early on. We played Memphis too early. We played this one too early. There's been a number of them that have not panned out quite as well as they should have. That's just probably nothing more than mismanagement of PGA TOUR properties, just not taking the time to pay attention to the golf courses.
The whole concept of the TPC has changed through the years. They were supposedly easy walking golf courses. They were supposedly spectator friendly. They were supposed to work for the tournament. Golly, now they're designing some golf courses that you can't use for tournaments. We have one in Austin, Texas, one right across the street from Valencia in LA, and we can't use it. Very poorly designed. Very poorly managed. Not managed, but very poorly designed. Just doesn't work for the tournament.
They haven't paid attention to the original concepts. They've kind of jumped in, tried to make money. Unfortunately, it leaves us with some bad names and reputations for the TPCs. If we had played this golf course at least a year later and probably two years later, I don't think the rap on Avenel would have been nearly as great as it was.
TODD BUDNICK: Thank you.
TOM KITE: Thank you all so much.
End of FastScripts.
