One of Torrey Pines Golf Course's most iconic trees, seeded at the 15th hole, collapsed during a strong winter storm Sunday.
Sunday afternoon's strong winds, which reached gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, blew down the massive eucalyptus after the golf course had been closed for the day.
Due to the El Nino-fueled storm, playing at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course was suspended Sunday afternoon and the course evacuated. Playing resumed Monday, but spectators were not allowed on the course as a safety precaution.
The eucalyptus tree was an iconic part of the golf course for five decades. Over time, it grew so big the tree had an impact on the shot to the green from just about every single approach from almost any angle.
Some of the pros at the field who had played on the course multiple times said they were sad to see the old tree gone.
Monday morning, crews chopped up the tree and cleared it for the final day of the Farmers Insurance Open.
