"Northern Trust Open announces more affordable ticket prices for 2011 event"

Last year's Northern Trust Open ticket price increase was documented ad nauseum here and the resulting attendance disaster was clearly noticed by the folks in Ponte Vedra, whose Championship Management took over last year and jacked up prices for an event that was already witnessing an attendance decline.

Therefore the Ponte Vedra press release writers deserve credit for today's notice noting "more affordable" prices since they don't seem to be hiding from last year's dreadful decision.

Northern Trust Open announces more affordable ticket prices for 2011 event

Tickets, on sale now, start at $20 for practice rounds; senior citizens and college students $20 during competition days; youth and military admitted free

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – As part of an effort to make the Northern Trust Open more accessible to the entire Los Angeles community, raise attendance and – ultimately – generate additional dollars for local charitable organizations, tournament officials have announced new, lower ticket prices for the 2011 Northern Trust Open, which will be held February 15-20 at the historic Riviera Country Club.  

Daily Grounds Access for practice rounds (Tuesday, Wednesday) are just $20 when purchased in advance or at the gate during tournament week.  Daily Grounds Access for tournament rounds (Thursday-Sunday) are $30 when purchased in advance, or $35 at the gate (compared to $50 for the 2010 event).

A Weekly Grounds Badge is $80 when purchased in advance and $100 at the gate (compared to $100 and $125, respectively, for 2010).  And new this year is a Weekender Ticket, which allows tournament access for both Saturday and Sunday for only $45.  The Weekender is only available in advance and cannot be purchased at the gate during tournament week.

Also available this year is an offer to senior citizens (55 and older) and college students, who can purchase Thursday-Sunday Daily Grounds Access for only $20, with proper ID at the gate during tournament week.  In addition, the tournament is continuing its policy of youth 18 and under being admitted free, as are members of the U.S. military, who can obtain tickets through their local MWR office beginning in January.

“We’re pleased to offer these more affordable ticket prices and new programs to golf fans for next year’s Northern Trust Open,” said Northern Trust Open Executive Director Jerry West.  “Our goal is to create an exciting atmosphere here at Riviera, where the community can come together to watch the best players in the world compete, and at the end of the day increase the amount of money that goes back to local charities.  To do that, we need to make sure the Northern Trust Open ticket is an exceptional value for a first-class experience.”

Parking at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VA Hospital) is free, with regular shuttles running to and from Riviera Country Club.