Special bargain-priced tickets for the 2007 Buick Invitational Golf Tournament “” taking place Jan 25 to 28 at the Torrey Pines Golf Course on the bluffs north of La Jolla “” are available now at local high schools.
The discount ticket program, “Support Our Schools” (SOS), generated $600,000 last year for local high school and middle school sports, as all ticket proceeds benefit the schools at which they were purchased.
Ticket purchasers can specify a sports team or other extracurricular program to receive the funds “” from baseball to volleyball to the band to cheerleaders.
For $15 each, SOS tickets are valid any day of the tournament. Regular admission at the gate will be $23 on weekdays and $30 on the weekend of the event. Even senior discount tickets cost more than the SOS price.
The Buick Invitational tournament includes a full week of pro-am and tour activities beginning Tuesday, Jan. 23, though pro action does not begin until Thursday, Jan 25.
Most of the greatest names in golf will be in the tournament, including Tiger Woods, who is known for making his annual tour debut at Torrey Pines. Last year, Woods took home top money from the event and will be returning to defend his title.
Woods is a Southern California native with a lot of experience at Torrey Pines. The 2006 win was his fourth here since turning pro in 1996, including wins in 2005, 2003 and 1999.
The field of 155 is also expected to include 2004 champion John Daly, 2000-01 champion Phil Mickelson, 1996 champ Davis Love III, 2002 winner Jose Maria Olazabval, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and many more popular PGA players.
Most pros are anxious for the chance to learn the Torrey Pines course, which has been selected to host the 2008 US Open.
SOS tickets are available from Point Loma High athletic director Mike Hastings at (619) 223-3121 ext. 1142.
Tournament information is available at www.buickinvitational.com.