This week’s winner Open Farmers Insurance will receive two trophies that represent San Diego. One features the iconic Torrey Pine that gave the tournament course its name. The other could be used to surf the waves seen from the greens; it’s a custom mini longboard made by Hansen Surfboards in Encinitas and shaped by Craig Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth has been shaping surfboards for 48 years. Since 2011, it has been shaping one of the most functional trophies in professional sports.
“It was a great idea. I liked it and it’s a fun thing. I like doing something other than the usual surfboards for everyone. It’s nice to do these trophies,” said Hollingsworth .
Hollingsworth started shaping boards when he was younger because he couldn’t afford a surfboard. He said he really liked making surfboards for people.
“I make something beautiful out of it, but it’s also functional. So they take it out on the water, ride the waves. They have big smiles on their faces whether they are a good surfer or a beginner. It’s great that they’re having fun outside,” Hollingsworth said.
Josh Hansen is co-owner of Hansen Surfboards, who has been in the community for 62 years. He said a member of the Century Club approached the surf shop for help in creating a unique trophy.
“(They asked) ‘would you be interested in building a surfboard?’ And of course we’re like, ‘Of course, that would be amazing,'” Hansen said, adding that the tournament was a perfect fit for his family business. “My dad, myself, my brother, we all play a little bit of golf. We are passionate about the game.”
The club of the century is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that administers the Farmers Insurance Open. They wanted to mark the tournament a little differently than other PGA Tour events.
“No, that’s not the green jacket (awarded by The Masters Tournament) you win, which is pretty prestigious,” Hollingsworth said, “but getting a real surfboard for your trophy…it’s pretty cool.”
PGA Tour Player Jon Rahm won his first PGA tournament at Torrey Pines in 2017.
“Every time you win and they give you something unique like that, that’s part of it. And that’s one of the reasons I love this week and I love San Diego because it’s little things like that that make me feel such an emotional connection to it,” Rahm said, adding that it is really special and “kinda connects San Diego and the San Diego attraction with the game.”
Last year’s winner Luke List also picked up his first PGA Tour win at The Farmers. He said he had the perfect spot for another trophy surfboard.
“It’s pretty iconic to have this on display, and I have it in a cool spot at my pool house in Georgia,” List said. “Unfortunately I didn’t use it, but it brought smiles to my face every time I have people, and I laugh and joke about it to this day.”
San Diegan Xander Schauffele said he would like to add the trophy board to his collection.
“That would be the icing on the cake,” Schauffele said. “You know, to be from here and get a homemade award and be able to put it in my own car and drive away with it, 20 minutes from my house, that would be amazing.”
The surfboard features the Farmers Insurance Open logos, FedEx CupThe Century Club and Hansen Surfboards, listing all sponsors and tournament venue.
“Surfing is such a fabric of community. It just makes sense. Black’s Beach is just below. Torrey Pines, which has some of the best waves in the area,” Hansen said.
“Everyone in Encinitas has a surfboard in their garage,” Hollingsworth said. “A lot of the best boards in the world are made right here in North County and San Diego. It’s not called ‘surf city’ but it sort of is.”
To date, no winner has taken their trophy out on the water, but some have said that when their professional golf days are over, they can pull their trophy off the wall and surf with it.