There was much debate when the LPGA's tour stop in Tulsa moved from Tulsa Country Club to Cedar Ridge Country Club.
Some wondered if golf fans would go out to Broken Arrow in the same numbers that came downtown for the first three years of the tournament.
In retrospect, there was no need to worry. Cedar Ridge has been a fabulous home and golf fans in Tulsa have made the switch.
Tulsa Country Club was a good home because it is a terrific course and centrally located just to the northwest of downtown.
However, there were parking issues and some felt the course was hard to get in and out of each day.
At Cedar Ridge, there have been two straight years of record-setting crowds (more than 70,000 fans in 2005)and this year could threaten those numbers.
There are several reasons for the success. For starters, the parking issues have been erased. Fans are parked barely a mile from the course and have an easy shuttle bus system into the golf course.
Secondly, the course is perfect for spectators. Everything is relatively close, making it easy for fans to go from the clubhouse area to the furthest reaches of the course.
Plus, there are plenty of sensational places to watch play. The course has old shade trees and there always seems to be a nice breeze out here in southeast Tulsa.
Then, there is the no small matter of the field. The John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic has drawn great players all six years of its existence in Tulsa.
Annika Sorenstam, the Tiger Woods of the LPGA Tour, has played in all six tournaments played in Tulsa. She's won three of them and is threatening to win it for a fourth time in six years this weekend.
It is a great even for our community. And, since Tulsa is such a great golf town, it is likely to remain successful event for many years to come.
