Recreation & Fun

With Hardly Strictly Bluegrass hardly strictly over, it was time to move south from Golden Gate Park to Harding Park where the Presidents Cup took center stage. Except for a few notable exceptions (including an extremely famous Hall of Fame basketball player), the golf course was officially closed to all but 24 of the world's greatest golfers who would begin their journey on our endearing municipal golf course the next day.


In an effort use to use the Presidents Cup to draw some attention and resources for our beloved parks and recreational programming, the Parks Trust and the Recreation and Park Department were joined by Willie Brown, Sandy Tatum, Sean Elsbernd and many other City leaders in honoring the PGA at a fundraiser at Harding Parks Clubhouse. The event was emceed by KNBR sportscaster Gary Radnich (who worked for free). Radnich and Willie Brown, who now do a very entertaining 49ers post game show for Comcast, stole the show. Radnich insulted everyone but managed to leave them laughing at the same time. Thank god for Sandy Tatum, who offered the only classy moment of the evening, when he reminded us all about the importance of golf for inner-city communities. The Presidents Cup will provide $500k for San Francisco's First Tee program. Did you know that, according to Sandy, 90 percent of every round of golf played in the United States is played on a public course? I didn't. We had about 150 people in the room and (when Radnich wasn't cracking one-liners) we even managed to honor PGA officials with certificates, recognition and praise. The event was a smashing success. We had about 150 people in attendance, including San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, State Senator Mark Leno and State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. We raised $70k for parks and youth golf. A good walk spoiled? Not tonight.


Tuesday, October 6, 2009


Cigar-gate. My morning started out innocently enough. After a successful fundraiser, I awoke to a cup of coffee and my morning Chronicle. There on the front page, above the fold of the sports page was a picture of Michael Jordan smoking a cigar on one of Harding's fairways. Honestly, in my morning haze, my only reaction to the photograph was about how awesome it was that Michael Jordan was playing golf at Harding...and how I might manage to join his foursome...or at least get an autograph. By mid-morning, however, I started to receive a couple of calls alerting me to the fact that Jordan was actually violating City law by smoking on the golf course. I was encouraged by a Rec and Park Commissioner to remind PGA officials that smoking was illegal. I did so with a very low-key phone call and polite email. Sure enough, almost moments later, Phil Matier called and asked me to comment on the photo of Jordan smoking on the course. "Oh you mean the photo of 'Spare the Air Jordan'" I chuckled, "Yes Phil...I already sent the PGA an email that was sort of a gentle nudge reminding them that smoking is illegal and that we would appreciate their support." I thought my comments were benign enough. Cigar smoking at Harding is not exactly the most vexing of park code violations we deal with and we have a very difficult time enforcing the Board of Supervisors' ordinance in any of our parks. But it is also true that the law exists and that it should apply equally to everyone. If it's okay for MJ to very visibly smoke on the course, how do we enforce the rule with other less celebrated golfers or park patrons? But, as it turns out, when you comment about an interesting (if benign) topic involving the world's greatest living basketball player at one of the world's most celebrated golf tournaments, people listen...By the end of the week, the smoking issue was picked up by the Associated Press and covered around the world. My wife and I were woken up at 4 a.m. by a Chicago Radio Station and Rush Limbaugh bothered to mention me by name. While I don't think I'll be hanging out with Jordan anytime soon, I did get him a couple of good cigars as a gesture of hospitality. I included a note saying, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Here's to hoping this one blows over soon....


Rather than join in the fun at Harding on Tuesday afternoon, I kept to my non-Presidents Cup schedule and held monthly community office hours. I had six different meetings on a wide range of issues including dogs, Washington Square Park and Camp Mather. (I'd by lying if I told you I wouldn't rather have been playing golf (and smoking a cigar) with Clinton and Jordan.)


If you'd like to discuss a parks issue with me at my next community office hours in December, please contact Staci White or Margaret McArthur at 831-2701.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009


This morning, I attended the opening of the new First Tee Facility at Visitation Valley Middle School. Created in 1997 by the World Golf Foundation, the First Tee program brings golf to young people that otherwise would not be exposed to the game and its positive values. The ceremony included a clinic with pro golfers Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger and included inspiring words from Mayor Newsom, PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem and the Godfather of San Francisco Golf (and former USGA President), Sandy Tatum.







Located on the east side of the city, the new $300,000 Learning Center at Visitacion Valley Middle School is the only facility of its kind in the country. It has a driving range, sand bunkers, putting green and some classroom space. It will serve nine different middle schools in the area with bus transportation available to the center. The goal is to get more than 1,000 kids involved.


From there, more good vibes at the Presidents Cup Opening Ceremonies. Lots of pomp and circumstance. Lots of San Francisco Pride. Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Freddy Couples and Greg Norman, national anthems, orchestras, celebrity sightings, Mayors and even a couple of Presidents. The original President Bush (in person) and President Obama (on video tape). Inspiring.







Thursday-Sunday















Golf, golf and more golf. While the US squad beat the International Team 19 1/2 - 14 1/2 over the four days, I soaked it all in and, frankly, participated in a crash course about the sport itself, golf course management practices, agronomy and the business and politics of golf. Some observations: My staff worked their tails off to get the Course in acceptable shape and they did an excellent job. The PGA believes that Harding may very well be one of the best public golf course in the country. Really. The PGA also believes we don't realize we are sitting one of the best golf courses in the country and that we have invested inadequate resources and staffing in its care and maintenance. We have inadequate resources and staffing for Harding's care and maintenance....let alone Lincoln and Sharp. Harding and Fleming host over 100,000 rounds of golf a year. Golf at Harding opens to the public again next week.







Incidentally, on Saturday I attended the First Annual San Francisco Lacrosse Classic at Kezar Stadium, hosted by the Bay Area Youth Sports Foundation. BAYSF, an all volunteer organization, helps kids find their way by connecting them to lacrosse and other team sports programs. The event, which also included clinics and exhibitions, was a big success. The game featured nationally ranked UNC vs. Brown University. Brown's star player is Parker Brown, a San Francisco native. UNC beat Brown 13-5 today but Bay Area Lacrosse and other youth sports programs were all winners....