River Bend Golf Club head pro Mike Reilly is one of the lucky ones. The former San Diego resident, who moved to the city when he was 19 before moving back to Illinois eventually, has played Torrey Pines' South Course about 50 times. The seaside track hosts the U.S. Open this weekend, and it's changed quite a bit since he last played it. For one thing, while this year it's playing more than 7,600 yards, it never played that long 20 years ago.
"Back in the '80s it was a whole different deal out there," Reilly said. "It was very affordable (now it's $258 during peak times for nonresidents). You'd come as a single, just wait three or four hours, whatever it took.
"It's the same thing at Wrigley (Field). Wrigley used to have bleacher seats for $10, now it's $45. It's all supply and demand.
Even though it costs quite a bit more than the last time Reilly teed it up there, the course's majesty remains.
"The canyons lead out to the sea," he said. "It is spectacular. You don't find that many seaside properties like that, with the huge cliffs looking down over Black's Beach and everything, and the hang gliders going all around you. The sunsets are just unbelievable when you're coming in on (holes) 15, 16."
How does he see this weekend playing out?
"I'm looking for the surprise kid in the first round that the course will just eat up before Saturday, like (Wheaton native) Kevin Streelman," Reilly said. "He can play the course well. You always look for the surprise names on Thursday and Friday, and Saturday and Sunday you look for the putters. Nine-footers for par are gonna be the norm."
Reilly also said to watch out for the Europeans, especially the ones who can putt, like Brit Ian Poulter.
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