The Loop

Tiger missed at Tavistock Cup ... or not

March 23, 2010

ORLANDO -- Is Tiger Woods missed at the Tavistock Cup? Depends on who you ask.

The Tavistock Cup, the two-day cash grab televised on Golf Channel pitting professional golfers from Isleworth CC and Lake Nona here in central Florida, concludes today at Isleworth. Golf Channel undoubtedly would have loved to see Woods, an Isleworth resident, make his comeback in the event, as would event organizers.

And the players, well, they certainly would have outwardly welcomed back the No. 1 player in the world, who instead opted to reappear from his self-imposed hiatus at the Masters. Still, according to at least one inside observer, this year's Tavistock Cup has been the most enjoyable yet for the 20 competitors.

"There was more energy out there yesterday [at Lake Nona] than any other year because the fans were watching all of the matches," said one of the caddies for a Lake Nona team member, who asked not to be identified. "Everyone wants to see Tiger playing again, but usually at this thing [Tavistock Cup], all the fans follow just Tiger's group, and then all the other guys get the dregs, just a few spectators, so they don't get the true feel of the competition. This year the fans were spread out. Everyone got involved. It was a better atmosphere overall."

--Dave Shedloski