Editor's note: Tiger Woods makes his 2007 PGA TOUR debut this week at the Buick Invitational, where he will be going for his third straight win in the tournament -- and fifth overall -- as well as a seventh consecutive win on TOUR. Obviously, Torrey Pines is one of his favorite golf venues. In fact, Torrey Pines (North and South courses) is a favorite destination to many. PGA Head Professional Joe DeBock knows the course and the nuances of it better than most, having been the head professional for over 15 years. He talked with PGA.com about life at Torrey Pines, and the pressures and expectations of managing such a presitgious layout.

PGA.com: Torrey Pines is one of -- if not the-- most famous daily-fee accessible golf clubs in the world. It's said that people often line up the day before to get a spot in line so they will to get a tee time. What special burdens does that type of demand and access-issues have for you?

DeBock: Well, it is true -- primarily for weekend times -- that people may come the night before and spend the night in the parking lot. But it's evolved into a pretty orderly procession. People that have that much devotion, to spend the night, they usually get on. We do take reservations for tee-times, but those start at 7:30am. First light times usually start around an hour before that. We have security in the parking lot during the overnight hours, but there's not too many issues. In fact, we have a group of regulars that always go out during the first light times, they call themselves "The Dawn Patrol", they do a good job of helping out visitors, letting them know how to go about getting in line, encouraging them to keep up the pace of play, things like that. So, yes, there are some special issues we deal with that many courses don't, but it's not too bad, really.

PGA.com: What special efforts go into preparing your course(s) for the Buick Open?

Debock: Well, for the rest of the year, the back tee boxes are closed off. Not that it would get too much play anyways, it's 7600 yards from back there. As we get closer to the tournament, we will rope off some of the landing areas so carts can't get out there. We will close the course ten days before the start of the tournament. But outside of that, we don't have to do much. The course is in great shape. The one issue we've had this year is frost. This year has seen the most frost-delays for our course that I've ever seen, and that's over 20 years. The irony is, what that has done is keep the grass from growing as much and thus, the rough won't be as high as some of the TOUR players are used to seeing.

PGA.com: So the end result is, the cold weather is going to make the course play easier for TOUR players?

Debock: Actually, yes.

PGA.com: Two fairly big name golfers have done well at the Buick Open (Woods, Mickelson). What is it about your course that seems to suit their game?

DeBock: Well, they both grew up here. Both are Southern California products, and played a good amount here. Tiger played the Junior Worlds here, and he's talked about how much that meant to him. Phil is a San Diego native. I think they just feel very comfortable here, and anywhere those guys feel comfortable, you know they can play some good golf.

PGA.com: As a city-owned golf facility, how do you balance having a championship layout with having to provide a fair, fun test of golf for the average 16 handicap?

DeBock: It's a tough act to balance. We try, but there's only so much you can do. First of all, most golfers should understand that the South course is not a four-hour course. The length, the kikuyaya grass, it's just very difficult for the average golfer. Know that before you start. We will mark off some of the canyons as laterals - the pro's don't get that - but you can only do so much. Visitors just have to know, it's fun and fair, but it's tough.

PGA.com: The 2008 U.S. Open will be held at your course. Is that something you are excited about or that you dread?

DeBock: Oh, I'm excited. We've actually been preparing for years. Trust me, it's a LOT of work, but you can't help but get excited. With something as prestigious as the U.S. Open, you have a lot of groups and special interests that want to play a part, to get in on the action. That's a lot of groups to cater to. And the U.S. Open is supposed to be the ultimate test of golf, but we still have to keep the course playable for the locals. There are some tough tasks involved, but we feel real good about it, real good about where we are.

PGA.com: Do you ever go out on your course, look out at the ocean, and say, "Wow, I'm the head professional at Torrey Pines?"

DeBock: I should probably do that more. I've been the head professional here for over 15 years, and I think I appreciate the longevity of that as much as anything. But it is nice to reflect and take in your surroundings. I think when we were awarded the U.S. Open, I thought about it more - that was pretty special. But yes, it's great to be here.