When the decision was made to move the Genesis Invitational out the Los Angeles area, the focus was to raise money for those impacted by the fires that devastated the region.
Tiger Woods believes that will be accomplished by taking the event, which he sponsors and his foundation is the beneficiary, to Torrey Pines Golf Course north of San Diego.
“I think because we’re in Southern California, I think we’re going to be able to raise more money for all the losses that have incurred,” Woods said Monday following Jupiter Links’ TGL victory over Boston Common at SoFi Center.
Woods said the meeting “was very difficult” because of the fires that have claimed the lives of at least 29 people and destroyed more than 10,000 homes.
The event, scheduled from Feb. 13-16, has been held at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades 60 times, including every year since 1999.
Woods, who is expected to play, said the goal was to keep it on or near the West Coast and mentioned other possibilities such as Pebble Beach, Phoenix, Las Vegas or Palm Springs.
“Riv is just not ready,” Woods said. “There were so many different options out on the table, and we were trying to be understanding to all the victims that these fires have caused, has brought to them.
“The fact that with the city of San Diego we were able to stay within Southern California. With respect to the difficulties in LA, I think it’s important that we were able to stay in Southern California because everyone who was born and raised out in Southern Cal can all relate to the fires. It’s a difficult situation, and we want to be very sensitive to that.”
