Headlining is the eight-time champion Tim Hogarth, who has won each of the last four events, including a four-stroke victory in 2021. The Northridge resident, who earned an invite to the 1997 Masters Tournament with his triumph at the 1996 U.S. Public Links, captured his first title in 2007 in what initiated a trio of consecutive victories.
“It’s firm, it’s fast, and it’s a lot like last year,” Hogarth said of Brookside’s current playing conditions.
The club has been operating without a superintendent since the beginning of March, which brings into the spotlight the remaining crew in what has been an all-hands-on-deck situation. Yet still, the 36-hole facility hosts its 86th running of the tournament in championship-caliber shape.
“That’s kudos to Dave [Wolfbauer],” Moore said of the former superintendent. “When someone gets hired, we immediately train them on everything. Everyone knows how to do everything and anyone can step up and do it.”
Moore, who will be running his 40th championship this weekend, gave a special nod to a greenskeeping staff member named Adrian who has been instrumental in helping maintain the course’s excellent condition for the past three to four weeks.
“There was moaning and crying about how tough it was playing,” Hogarth added. “It’s in really good shape and it’s going to be a good challenge this week.”