New Yorkers are the bomb!!!
So I went to the US Open this morning and a tailgate party broke out! It is, um, prior to noon shall we say? We drive into our parking lot and this black Lincoln Navigator is next to us with 7 guys standing behind it. As soon as we got out of the car, they wanted to know if we wanted a shot. I personally had not even gotten out of the car and someone who shall remain nameless had already joined in the fun. These guys - Jim, Martin, Carl, "Cocks" and 3 other fine gentlemen - made us feel right at home. They had beer, wine, Bushmills Black...what IS this world coming to? A party, obviously...
I, of course, rarely drink :) but I don't do shots of whiskey or drink beer outside of Lake of the Ozarks prior to noon anyway. Somehow I managed to do both - hadn't eaten a real meal since Sunday evening - and was still sober. Maybe eating is overrated. Anyway, to our buddies with the Navigator - thanks for the memories - it was a blast!
Now, where was I? Oh yes - at the US Open. I digressed...
Lots going on - took a walk. A very long, long, long walk. Bethpage Black is one of those courses that goes out 9 and in 9. You find yourself out at 9 and remember you have to walk all the way back. There are three par 4s over 500 yards! One of the par 4s is longer than one of the par 5s! Who designed this course I want to know - the Marquis de Sade? By Sunday afternoon there will be many a pro who will attest to that and probably in his own blood.
Example - #5. Par four slight dog leg left. If you do not place your tee shot to the right hand side of the fair in EXACTLY the right place, one of two things happens. You can't see the green if you are left - even in the fairway. Or, if you a just a teensy, weensy bit short right, you are in the crap and haven't got a chance. The green is highly elevated with major trappage. And this is after one of the longest par 5s I've seen with fairway bunkers that are certain death. The interesting thing is that men make it their life's goal to come to this tournament. Craziness!
Who did we see today? Vijay and Rocco on the range - Cabrera, Zach Johnson, Paddy, Soren Hansen on the fairways. At dinner at a cool pasta place - Zach was sitting at the table next to us. Only to find out after they left that Nick Taylor was with them. Nick is a WA Huskie and would have been fun to say hi. Didn't see a lot on the course because we had been delayed in the morning - had to high tail back to our actual jobs.
Actual job is with Disabled Services which means we drive folks who have physical issues back and forth. Might not sound too exciting but let me tell you...there were so many wonderful people with physical problems that would have kept most people at home who got themselves out to the course, into motorized wheels chairs or had DS drive them to handicapped viewing areas, it was amazing. (sorry Pam - bad sentence but too tired to figure it out:)
There were younger folks that had had strokes, older folks well into their 80s that could barely walk who came out to watch...well it makes one think. Hard. We who walk around each and every day without a thought to just how lucky we are to see, hear, walk, live. We take so much for granted. Doing this "job" is fantastic...having the ability to give back just a little bit is worth every moment, every penny spent. Next time you have the opportunity to assist a disabled person - in any way - do it. It will make you happy. It will bring a smile to both your faces. It will bring you back to the reality of just how lucky you are.
Another fabulous day at the Open is in the books and the blog. Weather was cool with late sun. Some sun tomorrow and rain scheduled for all four days of play. Hoping that does not happen but it is looking ominous. If I am a pro - don't know which I want. If it is hot and dry the greens will be stupid fast. If it rains, balls will drop and stay put which will make these unbelievably long holes even longer. It is definitely possible that some will have to lay up on par 4s. That will be a sight!
A wonderful evening to all...til tomorrow...good night.
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