Live from the US Open - Torrey Pines - June 12, 2008

Hello again from Torrey Pines…

The race is finally on and an interesting day it was. If the USGA was looking to create a logistical nightmare, they succeeded. Pairing Tiger and Phil together made great TV but it was pretty ridiculous on the ground. The hoards of people following a single threesome were amazing. If you have/had small children who played soccer at 5, you know that 20 players run around like a little beehive after the ball and the two goalies stand in the nets. Well, that is if the goalies stayed put. Watching the crowd move in one mass from hole to hole was pretty amazing. 90% of them couldn’t see much of anything but hey, they all can say they followed Phil and Tiger at the US Open.

We headed straight for the 13th hole grandstand to wait for the action. From there I could see 11 tee and green (par 3) and all of 13 where there was some pretty crazy stuff going on. The stand was already filled to capacity when we arrived but we squeezed in. Finally got to the second to top row so we could stand and see behind us (11) as well as 13 in front of us.

13 is a reachable Par 5. There is a huge gully in the front of the green that is quite literally 40 to 50’ below the green. TV cannot do it justice. Anyway, Phil hit easily the shot of the day out of deep rough to have a putt for eagle. Tiger has a primo drive, is short and rolls all the way down into the gully. He is HOT. Then he blades a wedge over the green. Now he is really hot. His chip out of the rough is 8 – 10 feet short. He rolls that in for par. This is the second hole he has been short – cost him a bird. On one it cost him a double and on the next hole, another double. Perhaps the rust is showing.

Once the gruesome twosome got done, the course evened out and it was easy to get around and see lots of players. This is a good thing. Many lesser knowns had terrific days which is good. This brings me to my thought of the day.

I wonder where the next Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson is. We have been watching them go after it for 12 years with Tiger arguably winning the contest. When I grew up there were three – Arnie, Jack, Gary. Add the 4th in Tom Watson and the 5th in Lee Trevino for awhile. There are some truly terrific other players out there but they just don’t/can’t capture of the magic of these aforementioned guys. Tiger is still pretty young – 32 – but the young guys need to kick it up a notch (thanks Emeril).

As for my, I am still ensconced in the Merchandise Tent – the smaller one. It was crazy busy today. I can tell you there is no recession in the golf world as yet. I would venture a guess that at least 90% of the attendees had a bag in hand. Many had two and three. What is even more amazing is all the men shopping. We all know most men hate to shop. But, put them in a place that is filled to the brim with awesome golf clothes, towels, trinkets and logo-ed golf balls and it is Christmas Day. Even the male volunteers have commented how fun it is to see the men shopping.

Note to self: Get some shoes that fit. I wore the same shoes last year – no problems. Tonight I have three blisters on one foot. Do shoes just give up? How does this happen?

Note to self: Smart to bring the binoculars. Next time bring the strap so as not to carry the damn things all day long.

Most of you don’t know that Jeff came with this year. He couldn’t get a volunteer gig but he got hired to work for the security firm. Hey, he doesn’t have to buy a uniform, gets a parking pass and lunch and he gets paid. $8 whole dollars an hour. Now he could have been out in BFE watching grass grow. But, no. Yesterday he gets the caddie parking lot. Today he gets the caddie hospitality room where there is food, massage and who knows what all. We had to go to WalMart to buy white dress shirts because tomorrow he gets the players hospitality – sport coat, tie – the whole 9 yards. At least they provide the coat and tie. So, while he is hobnobbing with the players, I’m schlepping merchandise and I have to walk over a mile to get back to the shuttle we take for security. What is wrong with this picture now I ask you? Some folks just live right.

It is time to close – the bed is looking really good at the moment. Tomorrow should be a great day. Hang tight – more to come.

Mel