Fires in Southern California should not affect golf tournaments

Fires in Southern California have forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes.  On Monday, many thought that this would affect some of the upcoming golf tournaments in the area. But Brian Hewitt reports on thegolfchannel.com that the sites of the Nationwide Tour Championship,the 2008 US Open, and the Target World Challenge should not be in danger.  The Nationwide Tour Championship is next week and Hewitt writes, " Tom Wilson, the tournament director of next week's Nationwide Tour Championship told me he did not think the Barona Creek venue in Lakeside had to be changed...Wilson said the fires there have gotten within a mile of the golf course, but no damage has been reported."  David Fay, the USGA's executive director, told Hewitt the following about Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 US Open: "At this point, Torrey Pines Courses are not in any immediate fire danger but they are enshrouded in dark, smoky clouds. Our folks on the scene couldn't see the Pacific yesterday from the clubhouse."  As for Tiger's tournament, the Target World Challenge, Allison Curdt, Sherwood Country Club's head teaching professional, said that, while smoke is visible, they have been able to keep the course open.