Most of you know I am a huge Tiger fan so I am disappointed to say the least. Of course, not nearly as disappointed as he. I could barely hear his interview (I was working) but he was very emotional - more so than I would have thought. I think after last year's debacle he really wanted to win for his Dad's memory and his soon to be first child.
At any rate, it was a terrific day and I guess the best man won. Angel has had a habit of folding in the majors but not this time so good for him. Hated to see young Baddeley have such a horrendous day but surely he will learn from it. I truly think had he not tripled the first hole it may have been a totally different day. Golfers tend to feed off each other and Tiger did not have that luxury with Baddeley getting off to such a bad start. Had they been going head to head, we may have seen a different outcome. Oh well. next year at Torrey Pines.
Arrived at the course by 10 and got myself to the 10th green and planted there until about 1. Sat in the grandstand where there was still quite a bit of room - wanted to get to the top so I could see 9 tee and 1 green. There was plenty of room so I get up there and ask this lady if I could squeeze in. She looks from side to side and says, well, no. Okie dokie smokie...so I sit in front of her. No big deal, I stand up to see what I want to see anyway.
I need to be sure I get across the bridge in order to be on the correct side of the course for my work shift. Oakmont was cut almost in half a long time ago by the interstate - thanks IKE. Can't even imagine how happy the members were about that! The bridge was built recently - perhaps for this tournament. Friday it was a 45 minute wait to get across it. The players have their own bridge which is about 1/3 as wide. Have no idea how they managed this in past Opens. I digress...
So I plant myself at 2 green which is very close to the Merchandise tent where I work. Again, I go to the top where there appears to be plenty of room. Same question, same answer. Seriously, where five people sat, at least eight could have. Unbelievable! I watch all the leaders come through including Tiger and watch him tee off on 3 and off I go to work. #2 is 341 yards - Tiger's tee shot which ended up in the bunker behind the green landed like a rocket pin high on the green. Had that been a fairway, it would have rolled another 50 yards. Just so you know, I also have that shot.
Needless to say, there is not much going on in merchandise but there are some fools in there buying when the Open is winding down. We worker bees basically chatted with each other and watched on th giant screen. By the time Tiger is on 18, the exit area in front of the screen is full of people standing or sitting and watching...keep in mind, there is air conditioning in there. Tiger is lining up his putt on 18 and this MORON comes up to my register to buy something. I just looked at him and wanted to say something totally inappropriate but couldn't because I was totally shocked and it would not have gone over well with the USGA. Why are you here for the US Open if you do not care about one of the most iimportant shots of the entire week? I wanted to slap some sense into him but I waited until Tiger's putt rolled wide right and with it his chance to win Open #3. Then I slapped him silly :)
It was a great tournament and so much fun. Met lots of people from all over and cannot wait until next year at Torrey Pines. Hope you haven't been bored to death with my ramblings because if you don't tell me differently, you will probably receive Live at the US Open Vol 2 beginning June 9, 2008.
Final tidbits...
Every single gas station in the Pittsburh area - the gas is $2.95. And I mean every single one. Is price fixing away of life here? Geez, at least we have Arco and Costco to make life a little different.
I stopped at Starbucks this morning for coffee - okay, it is 9 am on Sunday morning. There are ZERO people there. I am faint...remember I live in Seattle where there haven't been zero people at any Starbucks since - well - never. I do notice that Panera Bread 75 yards away is packed. Is the East coast anti Howard Schultz??? Could be...
It was really hot today and pretty humid. People were trying to get out of the sun and get cool. So, I see this older man on a bench - right out in the bright sunshine pouring a bottle of water down his chest. I'm like, buddy, if you were NOT sitting in the sun, it might help. The shade is 20 yards away...
And the most amazing thing I saw...you know what an enlisted sailor hat looks like, right? And if you pull the brim down it becomes something like a beanie. So, I am having my lunch on the grass watching the golf. Many people are doing the same. There is this guy about 10' in front of me...he's relatively young - say 20s or early 30s tops. Appears to be nice looking dressed in golf shirt and shorts. On his head is the hat described above in bright orange leather! I do a double take and I look for others thinking this might be a fraternity prank or hazing but no...this guy is just there, taking it all in at the US freakin Open with an orange leather beanie on his head. And it is 90 degrees. They're coming to take you away ha ha, hee hee, ha ha....
For those of us that play golf - this was the top, the be all and end all, the cat's pajamas, et all. This course is not describable by my meager abilities. Television does not even begin to do justice to what these players are tasked to overcome. I am a great one for sitting in my chair saying "How could you have missed that?" or "what in the holy hell was THAT about?" Well, I have seen the light and hopefully will never take what they do for granted again. (and I am certain that goes for all sports at this level)
This week these men turned themselves inside out and only one went home with the prize. The exhaustion they must feel tonight has to be overwhelming..hell, I'm exhausted and I never swung a club! Yes, these men are pampered beyong belief (well, most of them) and all that nonsense. But, when the rubber meets the road, they put it out there for all of us to see and enjoy. For a short period of time, we are one with them in their qwest for perfection...to win the ultimate prize. To all of them I say thanks...I am so lucky to have been at the party.
Till next year at Torrey Pines...
Mel
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