La Conner golf fans ace trip to famed Torrey Pines course

Lisa and Russell Jensen didn’t waste time getting into the swing of things during a recent trip to sunny San Diego.

Theirs was a whirlwind family vacation centered around the Farmers Insurance Open Golf Tournament at scenic Torrey Pines, where son-in-law Graham DeLaet, a 2016 Olympian and winner of multiple PGA Tour events, was scheduled to be part of a star-studded field that included Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Unfortunately, DeLaet, who ranks Torrey Pines among his favorite venues – he has two top ten finishes there – had to drop out after aggravating a chronic back injury while practicing on the driving range.

“Graham was even more bummed that he didn’t get to play this time as he really likes the (Torrey Pines) course,” said Russell, a board member of the SneeOosh Land Co. and La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation, and himself an avid golfer.

“Different courses,” he explained, “are conducive to players’ own styles.”

DeLaet, 38, a native of Saskatchewan who attended Boise State University on a golf scholarship, has tamed courses around the globe, even winning a tournament in far off South Africa.

He has used his success to help others, Russell noted, through a charitable foundation DeLaet and wife Ruby established in 2014.

“They have raised more than a million and a half dollars since starting it,” Russell said, “and it goes to benefit kids.”

DeLaet’s withdrawal from the Farmers Insurance tourney proved to be the only low note on an otherwise stellar trip for the Jensens.

There was a tour of the U.S.S. Midway, the decommissioned aircraft carrier moored at the Navy pier in San Diego, and several days interacting with some of the top golfers in the world.

Following the tournament’s opening round, Russell happened to walk past Woods as he was being interviewed, thus appearing on the PGA Tour’s video footage.

“My daughter Katherine said I had the ‘Jensen Walk’ going,” Russell quipped afterward. “I had to explain to her that the size of Tiger’s bodyguard and the two San Diego police officers in tow with Tiger made you keep moving and not look back.”

While in the Torrey Pines players’ family dining area, Russell chatted briefly with Rose, an Olympic gold medalist and the 2013 U.S. Open champion.

“Having access to family dining with the players is a huge privilege,” said Russell, who came away much impressed with Rose, the 39-year-old Brit who won at Torrey Pines a year ago but missed the cut this time around.

“What a nice guy he was on the range when Graham had his back issue,” Russell said. “He was very sympathetic and just a nice guy about it.”

“It’s nice,” added Russell, “when the players initiate a conversation and ask you who you’re following. I never ask the players anything. I just say hello as the dining area is where they don’t have to deal with the public so you have to respect that. It’s nice to just say hello and realize these guys are normal and super nice. But when they get a golf club in their hands they’re super focused and they go into their own world.”

It was during a mealtime when Spieth, at 26 already a three-time major tournament winner, asked Russell how his day was going.

Turns out, Russell’s day was probably going better.

Spieth, with Master’s, U.S. Open, and British Open titles to his credit, was beset with putting woes at Torrey Pines and also missed the cut.

“That’s the game of golf,” said Russell. “You’re on top one week and at the bottom the following week.”

Lisa and Russell, both of whom grew up in La Conner, at various times followed McIlroy, Brandt Snedeker, Woods and University of Washington product Joel Dahmen, who played for former Husky coach and current Arizona State mentor Matt Thurmond, son of La Conner High alums Joe and Kathy Thurmond.

Woods continues to be a big draw and fan favorite, Russell said.

“Tiger’s gallery is so large,” said Russell, “that it’s hard to get a spot to watch him.”

Thus, moving over to smaller galleries has its advantages, he said.

“It’s nice to follow some of the guys who aren’t having the greatest round because the gallery is smaller and you can see everything better,” Russell said. “These guys are the best in the world and they are all just super cool to watch.”

And, for the Jensens, not only watch – but also meet and greet.

“It’s a very cool thing,” said Russell, “to get to hang with the big dogs of golf.