Live at the US Open - Pebble Beach June 23, 2010

The Lone Cypress Tree -- Quintessential Pebble Beach

The 2010 US Open is over and has left behind stunning memories that will last a lifetime. Life is returning to normal if there is such a thing. The weather is warm and sunny, Jack is happy to be home and all is right with the world.

Flying home Monday night I could not believe the week was over. It simply flew by. Doubtless it is because we worked seven days instead of four. Of course it is hard to call it work when it truly felt like a dream come true. But then not in my very wildest dreams could I have imagined the experience.

What began Monday afternoon with freezing to death at a nearly empty driving range ended 15 feet from the 18th green on Sunday afternoon? It was quite a journey.

When we watch television the people we see tend to seem different – taller, heavier, lighter, older, younger – than they are when we see them in person. A perfect example is Clint Eastwood. On TV he looks at least his age but in person he looks much younger. My point is that golf, like many sports, is a difficult for television to cover and do it well. A football field is flat – a golf course is not. What the viewer cannot really see is what makes the game what it is.

14 green is arguably unfair. The pros were not happy and I think with good reason. The top level is shaped like a dome with a safe landing area probably eight feet in diameter. Any approach outside that area is going off the back or worse, back down into the swale. Good shots were punished many times but that is golf.

I watched some of the most amazing shots this week both good and bad. Phil going rough to rough on 14 Sunday and hitting Ernie was unexpectedly poor. Tiger going in the drink on 6 was just a horrible shot. I did not see Dustin’s melt down and I am glad. It was painful enough to listen to. On the flip side, though I did not see Shaun Michele’s albatross it was surely a great shot that came down to pure luck in the end. Tiger’s second to 18 on Saturday was one of amazing skill and beauty.

In the end I am happy and thankful for my family, our health and the incredible opportunities that come my way. Thank you to our friends who take this journey each year with us. I hope you have enjoyed the ride. We certainly have.

Next year we trek back across the country to Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland. Short of someone asking ME to tee it up with Tiger for a practice round I know I cannot top this year. Another round of pure luck and we might get to do it all over again. But, no matter the task we are given at Congressional the experience, the wonderful people we meet and being THERE is more than enough.

Until then try to keep them in the fairway…
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FYI...

The little B&B where we stayed we recommend without reservation. Spotless, gracious hosts, outstanding breakfast each day, tea and cookies in the afternoon, wine and cheese at happy hour and walking distance into Carmel and PB. The owners did not feel it proper to gouge their guests like everyone else within 50 miles. They raised their rates $25 per night during the open. Pretty amazing so I thought I would give one and all the contact information in case you visit Carmel in the future.

Sea View Inn
Camino Real between 11th & 12th (yes, this IS the address)
PO Box 4138
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
831-624-8778

Last – lots of new photos to the right…wish I could post them all

Live at the US Open - Pebble Beach June 20, 2010

Sunday at the US Open. A day that is awaited each year with anticipation without knowing which actors will be playing the parts. Today began with the hope of a Sunday for the ages…the veterans Els, Mickelson and Woods vs the dominant, young Johnson vs the diminutive Irishman and the Frenchman few had ever heard of much less knew how to pronounce his name. The stage was set; the curtain was raised but all but one exited stage left.

The excitement of Phil’s 66 on Friday and Tiger’s and Dustin’s on Saturday made us believe that miracles could happen on Sunday. The only miracle Sunday was that all who played finished with at least part of their sanity intact. It was more of a train wreck than the final round of the US Open.

The beautiful weather of the previous three days fled as if it knew that the day would require the cold, foggy gloom that settled itself over Pebble and never left. Jeff and I were detailed to Phil and Ernie on Sunday. Pretty darn exciting to work the course with two of the game’s superstars in the 3rd to final group. Tiger and Havret behind and Johnson and McDowell last. I wondered all day if Johnson and McDowell had anyone following them other than extended family and friends. I still do not know if they found a crowd before the reached 17. Certainly Graeme McDowell deserved a crowd and Dustin Johnson wished he had been playing on another planet.

Phil never got untracked, Tiger faltered from the get-go but Ernie was looking really good. We heard of Johnson’s disaster on 2 and suddenly everyone was back in the game big time. Then came 3 for Dustin and all were stunned. Apparently the golf gods got up on the wrong side of the bed and poor Dustin was on the wrong end of their wrath. Losing is one thing. Losing the US Open with a 5 shot lead going into Sunday and shooting 82 is something else entirely. Wherever his next tournament is I hope he wins by 10.

14 is a very long par 5 with a green that would make the Marquis de Sade smile. Phil hits his drive into the rough on the left. Ernie has laid up and is standing behind a rather large tree in the right rough. Phil hits his second over into the right rough and hits Ernie in the leg. Jeff was standing right there and neither he nor Ernie could believe it. Phil’s comment: Sorry about that. Then they both hit their approaches that curled back off the green and bogied the hole. I was standing behind the green by the tee 15 tee and found that Tiger is not the only one who drops ‘f’ bombs. Phil was so hot another marshal said he could hear his milder curse down the fairway.

Phil pushes his drive on 15 into the left rough and the ball lands on top of two TV cables. This is what our job is – get to the spot, move the crowd back so the player can hit his shot. Jeff and Terry are on the site and even though he could have taken relief he chose not to. Not your usual lie I must say. Pretty cool to stand 5’ from Phil taking his shot.

On 17 Phil’s tee shot lands about a foot from Jeff. Unfortunately for Phil, Jeff is not standing anywhere on the green but behind it. We both had opportunities to be incredibly close to the players during play. Still hard to believe.

As we made our way through the last few holes I paused to reflect on the week and tried to create lasting memories that likely will not be repeated. Because Phil, Ernie and Tiger did not take advantage of the gift they were given it was more subdued that it might have been. It was a relatively quiet, calm US Open Sunday without the usual roars and building excitement. Had the three of them risen to the occasion it would have been total chaos and the world would have loved every minute of it regardless of who won. It is unfortunate that it slipped away. Well to everyone except Graeme Mc Dowell of course.

That is not to say it wasn’t pretty amazing to walk 18 and see the phenomenal crowd. They cheered their unhappy heroes who were gracious in defeat but all knew what might have been. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the final twosome. Johnson managed to finish with grace and McDowell was beyond words. He seems like a nice man who will wear the crown well for the coming year. Many congratulations to Graeme McDowell!

We say goodbye to our new friends who were lucky to share this incredible week with us – Brian who is my everlasting hero, Rick, Chuck, Terry, Dave and Steve the Kiwi. Special thanks to Tom who brought us together and led us through the week.

Jeff and I make the long walk from one end of Pebble to the Carmel gate for the last time in the evening mist. It was very, very special at Pebble Beach and we will remember it always.

Happy Father’s Day again to all the Dads. Today I watched a son make his father enormously proud and that is what it is all about.

Ps – on Tuesday I will post my usual final thoughts and hopefully some photos. We of course forgot our “real” camera that Jeff took those fabulous photos with last year. That will not happen again we promise. But, others have promised some of their pictures that I will share with you as soon as I receive them

Pps – today a friend asked what Jeff did all week while I was doing all this crazy stuff…I guess when I said ‘we’ I knew that it was Jeff and me. We were together each day and he was part of the Tiger/Phil Advance Teams. If anyone else wondered now you know the truth – the whole truth – so help me!

Live at the US Open - Pebble Beach June 19, 2010

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! With special thoughts going to my two sons David and Morgan. You two are the very best! And to all the other dads enjoying the day – have a terrific one.

Before I begin I want to say this…you all know I am a big Tiger fan. Normally a blog would not be 100% Tiger but please remember that Friday and Saturday I basically did not see anything else. Sunday we are on Phil’s team with Tiger right behind. It is going to be a total madhouse.

Just when I thought I had had one of the most exciting days of my life – day II with Tiger happened and what a thrill it was. I do not know if you could see it on TV but when he finally came out of his haze and played a lot like Tiger of old I could see it in the way he walked, his face had lost its permanent scowl and he looked relaxed. Maybe he finally figured it out and much of the tenseness melted away. By the end of the round his eyes were – well, just bright. We’ll see if that continues tomorrow.

One of the best parts of today was we got to sleep in a little bit. We did not have to be at one tee until noon – hallelujah! What was so strange is that when we arrived around 11 people were leaving! Not just one or two but lots. I was stunned but then there is no real understanding of people. My first thought was they showed up – took a look around and got the feel for things – and then left for a TV screen. But last night they told everyone they knew they were there yesterday and watched Tiger all day.

Random thoughts: 1) Children under 7 should be left at home. Poor things are so bored, parents cannot enjoy what they are seeing and little ones do not know when they need to be quiet. And don’t get me started on the strollers! The crush isn’t bad enough but trying to push a stroller through it is unfair to everyone. I wonder about the poor babies so close to the ground. They must be frightened.
2) Women who think they should wear high heels to a golf tournament probably should not have used the ticket. I mean for heaven’s sake – get real ladies. 3) I wish some people would get some fashion sense. Today a saw an outfit for the ages – lavender pants with a paisley print of yellow and blue, a lavender sweater and lavender Titleist hat. It was most amazing because this particular ensemble was worn by a man!

The Day with Tiger II

So things did not start out well for Tiger. The drive on 3 up and over the trees to 55 yards was amazing. The day before resulted in the unplayable. Phil tried it Thursday and hit the bleachers. So, after this fabulous shot he totally airmails it over the green. The redeeming value to that shot was that I was standing 20 feet from it. So I go over to see if we are going to have to move the crowd back to give room. Not necessary but here Tiger is already and I am stuck. My team has moved on into position and I am here watching. Oh darn! On to four which shares the tee with 17. Now I am stuck again because Sergio is teeing off on 17. Tiger decides to go for the green on 4 so being stuck behind a cart and stroller wasn’t too bad.

String of 3 birdies and things are changing. You can see it in Tiger and you can feel it in the crowd. The unfortunate bogie at 8 begins the Cliffs of Doom. Let’s hope the round isn’t getting away. Another birdie on 11 and the leaders are in play. Scoreboard watching is in play. Some players swear they never watch the scoreboard. I do not know how this is possible because they are on at least every other hole, very large and at the green. How does one keep one’s eyes off it? No understanding of that.

When Tiger birdies 16 you sense this could be amazing. Great tee shot on 17 and the crowd is getting crazed. We stand in an opening under the TV tower watching. Each time I am standing at a green I am beyond overwhelmed at my situation. Cannot really put it into words. So Vijay is long and off the green I think because I cannot see his ball. Tiger crouches to the side between two bunkers and as Vijay walks by surveying his predicament he says “could someone please lie down below the cup?” The first time all week Tiger broke up laughing at Vijay’s sense of humor at the impending impossible shot. Tiger sinks his putt and off we go to 18. This is beyond my wildest dreams to be certain.

As I walk up the fairway I find myself next to a guy I had not seen before. I say that I haven’t seen you before, where have you been hiding? He says that if I haven’t seen him then he is doing his job. What is his job? FBI. Okay dokey. How many of you are here? Five of us have been here with Tiger all day.

Tiger drops his drive behind those damn trees. He will draw it around, lay up and be happy won’t he? By this time we are at the lay up landing area to the right of the green. We can just see him behind the tree. He hits that shot – 260 yards out over the water and the crowd went absolutely nuts. The local paper said the players on 10 could hear the roar clearly and it is well over a mile away.

As Tiger approaches the green the crowd gave him his due for this phenomenal shot and 7 months are at least temporarily forgotten. If he had sunk the eagle putt the roar would have been even louder. Settle for birdie and the day is done. Almost.

Behind the TV tower is the press – first the paper guys and then TV. Why not? So the three of us left just hang out and the watch the press conference. I chat with Joe – USGA Security Chief – whose only responsibility this week is TW. He actually thanks us for a good job and we talk about Congressional next year. Can you hear my wheels turning? 

The day is done and Jeff and I head back for the long walk back to our B&B. Tired but exhilarated and once again remember how lucky I am. One more day of this crazy, amazing, surprising, fabulous week at the US Open. Til then…

Live at the US Open - Pebble Beach June 18, 2010

Hello everyone…what a day! To be perfectly honest I am still attempting to process everything. I doubt this will really sink in until after I am home a few days and unwind a bit.

My intelligent mind (the very existence of which has been questioned in the past) tells me that in the scheme of things – world terrorism, the horrific oil spill, famine, hunger – this tournament is way down the list of important happenings. And I do believe this to be true. That said to those of us to whom golf is a large part of our lives the US Open is an important event each year. In my own little world because I have been able to see it in person the past four years it is quite something else. This year is – well, it is just off the charts.

The Day with Tiger…

June gloom shrouds Carmel Bay, it is cold, a little windy and it is just barely spitting. Tiger, Ernie and Lee are going off 10 at 8:04. They will be brought out from the driving range to a small practice green that has been created near the tee. Our Tiger Advance Team (okay we named ourselves that :) ) meets up by the green to wait. We watch as other players practice – Stricker, Sergio, Casey to drop a name or two.

One can easily tell when Tiger will be arriving soon. Cart after cart of the media begin to arrive to set up. Suddenly there is commotion to the left and here comes the entourage. There is no other word to describe the group that arrives with Tiger along with poor Ernie and Lee somewhere in the mix. I often wonder how the other players truly feel about the circus that is created by one Tiger Woods. There are sheriff's deputies, USGA officials, and a K-9 team with a bomb-sniffing black lab. What a beautiful animal. He has his own badge attached to his collar. I CHATTED with these fellows for awhile and they said the dog is trained in explosives and accelerants and they are convinced something up their alley will happen one day. Now how unbelievably sad is that statement? Tiger seems oblivious to all the fuss and goes about practice. An omen to the day – with the exception of one reasonably long putt not one went in that was over 3 or 4 feet.

So off we go. The crowd is larger than Phil’s the previous day but it is also a day later. Tiger chips in for birdie on 11 and the crowd is thrilled and hoping for good things to happen. I was already off the green to the next when he did this. The instant he did, half the crowd moved on for a better view on the next hole. They do the same with Phil. Most golfers would never do this. Fans do it. This one guy was running, hootin’ and hollerin’ (literally) like he had just sunk a putt to win. It was amazing…this guy showed me his t-shirt he had hand-painted the night before that said I ‘heart’ Tiger…big, huge red heart. When you see this at 8 in the morning you realize just why the security is the way it is. Some of these people are scary.

We are supposed to be invisible but it has become impossible to be outside the ropes anywhere so we stay INSIDE the ropes all the time. We would never get to where we needed to be. At the bridge the players cross I wrote of the other day the players are so close they sometimes brush us as they go by. As Stevie walked past I actually wondered what would happen if the Tiger cover slipped off into my hands. Certain death came instantly to mind.

It was apparent early, that it was unlikely Tiger was going to make a move…no fire, no eye of the Tiger. It would be nice to see him get something going to make this really interesting tomorrow but I get the feeling he is not fully engaged. I would venture his life is still very unsettled – no surprise there – and until that happens we will not see the Tiger of old. We may never again.

But there was the pull hook on 3 that hit the trees and landed as an unplayable. How on earth did he do this? I believe he was trying to go over the trees like Phil did Thursday. Only Phil hit the grandstand and left himself a pitch to the green. Since we were already down the hole we did not see the drive I only saw it on TV. Anyway, his ball landed in high fescue not in the crowd but within 15 feet of the rope. This is where our responsibilities come in. If he needed the crowd to move we would work that. So here Terry and I stand 10’ feet away while he and Stevie discuss their plight. Didn’t take long for him to decide to take an unplayable and then drop a couple of his ‘f’ bombs under his breath. Same old Tiger.

I made certain today that I got to see #7. We sit on the bank just in front of the bleachers. The short, 109 yard par 3 is pretty crazy. Sits on the edge of the world and drops over 100 feet. Easy wedge. No worries except for an ocean on two sides and traps on the other two. But if the wind blows, players have been known to hit 4 irons to this hole. Today was relatively mild, 2 birdies and a par for the group.

8, 9 and 10 – the cliffs of doom they call them. Some of the most fantastic scenery and golf holes in the world. And pray the wind does not blow to the sea. Some years ago a group of Japanese golfers were playing 8 – we are 500 feet up remember – and not paying attention drove their cart right off the edge of the cliff. Unfortunately they met their own doom that day.

Our group struggles through to 9 – Tiger and Lee both managed to get down from 40 to 50 feet above the hole in 2 – and the day is done. We have now been up and on the course at 7 am four days in row, walked many, many miles and it is only a little after 1. We head back into Carmel and find a TV (none here at the Sea View Inn) and watch the golf for awhile.

Our barkeep tells us to eat at the Mission Ranch – owned by the former mayor, Oscar winner, and golfer, Clint Eastwood. We were told they do not take reservations so we never bothered to try. Well, this week only they are doing so call and now have reservations at 6. The Ranch is very old, rustic and with acres out to the sea. It is packed with obvious locals who dine there frequently. I went to use the Ladies Room which is in another building and who is walking in but the man himself – Clint. He goes into the bar and just chats up a storm with the patrons. Of course he is standing 2 feet from where we had just spent a half hour at the bar. Our table came a little bit too early.

I know I have many more thoughts on the day and tomorrow is another. I think I have gone on and on too long so I shall close. Hoping for lots of excitement from many players tomorrow. We will be with Tiger again. Till then…

Live from the US Open - Pebble Beach June 17, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER PAM!!! MANY, MANY MORE...LOVE YOU

Can you say tired? That would be me. Not complaining in the least bit mind you – just fact.

It was another gorgeous day here at Pebble Beach. No one could ask for anything better. The wind was down early and then blew just enough to remind the players where they were. I don’t think anyone suffered too badly but then I wasn’t there at the end of the day.

If you have not been to Pebble Beach to view Carmel Bay on a sunny day do put it on your bucket list. The ice blue waves crashing on the beach dunes of the bay are a site to behold. Why watch golf when you can stand in awe of one of nature’s most beautiful creations? However while I enjoy the view every moment I am here to report to my faithful followers the events of the day.

Phil showed up this morning and so did his fans. They certainly do love him although they didn’t sing Happy Birthday this year. At 8:06 at the farthest hole from the entrance – a 30 minute walk – the diehards were there. But by 12 I could not believe how many people materialized out of nowhere.

Our job is crowd control at choke points, landing areas for the errant shot…whatever happens. I saw as much of the group in front of Phil as I did Phil, Paddy and YE. We did a lot of leapfrogging – once they were safely on the green, we were gone to wait for the drives. Crowd control from green to tee can be a mighty challenge.

There is a bridge they must cross from the tee at 14…it is very narrow. The fans can stand right up to the edge…too close for comfort. As four marshals held the ropes back one crazy guy had to try to reach out and touch Phil. He flinched away. Some people just do not have a clue. A couple of young men were standing behind me waiting for Phil. They commented to me that they could not believe they were standing there waiting just to see him walk by and wish him well.

Putting Phil and Tiger aside today we also were able to watch Paddy, YE, Ernie and Lee. Taking the four of them without #1 and #2 is a dream unto itself. YE had a really bad start but came on strong. Paddy started strong, had a few hiccups but finished better than 1 and 2. These six stellar champions are within two shots of each other. I think they have 25 majors among them. I must have done something right in one of my previous lives…there is not doubt.

I feel for the fans that want so much to see Phil and Tiger. They are the heroes and they want to be close. I get that. I really do. 4 tee and 17 tee are in the exact same place. It is security’s nightmare and the marshals’ as well. There are so many people that it was almost impossible to open a walkway for the guys to get from the green to the tee. The folks get upset when they have to move and lose their view. After all these years no one has figured out how to make everyone secure and happy at the same time.

As I said there were many holes we were ahead of the group but there were also a few where we were able to stand at the green – like with the photographers. I mean right there! I still have to pinch myself that this is really happening.

You all know I am a Tiger fan so tomorrow will be a true thrill. He played really well today. I did not see how the wheels fell off the last 3 holes but as Phil said – over par will win this championship – so they both are probably okay. I hope they are both around for the weekend so we continue being part of their advance team. Mostly I just hope they are both around and in contention. If not, still will have had the thrill of a lifetime.

Last…there are I think 142 other players at this championship and good luck to them. They deserve more attention. Truth be told there is too much emphasis put on Tiger and Phil. But, without them golf suffers as we have seen with two extended absences by Tiger and on and off play by Phil because of Amy.

Whoever wins it will be exciting and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds. But I have to wish for just one Sunday afternoon at the US Open with Tiger and Phil in the last group. Maybe not this year – maybe not ever. But it is what fans dream about. Hopefully dreams come true.

And I am off to dreamland myself. Til tomorrow….

ps - for the newcomers to the blog check out blogs from previous days and previous years going back to Oakmont in 2007

Live from the US Open - Pebble Beach June 16, 2010

What a glorious day! The fog took up residence elsewhere and the sun was up bright and early as were we. It appears tomorrow will be the same and this is wonderful news. Even though the sun has shown up it is still cool. When the wind came up in the afternoon it was definitely jacket weather.

The crowd was much larger today and tomorrow the craziness begins. I’m not sure what they are expecting but I heard today that they scheduled 25 marshals per hole.

The players today were more serious than days previous…they were playing more than practicing. If the shot was in the crap they played from there instead of picking up. They chipped and putted from everywhere in the hopes of finding the shot that will be crucial come Sunday afternoon. There was definitely an elevated level of excitement in the air. Everyone felt it I’m sure.

The practice green was full today - even Tiger was there putting and chatting it up with other players and Mark Rolfing. It was amusing to see the caddies taking pictures of each other and with players on the green. There was an unbelievable crush at the green where the players enter and exit. When Tiger left - even with his security entourage the crowd pressed forward so much it was scary. He signed a few autographs which is really unusual. A few very lucky folks today.

NOTE: The house I posted yesterday – belongs to comedian George Lopez. He purchased it two years ago for a mere – ready? $34,000,000. That’s right – pocket change. There is a house left of 18 green as you look toward the green. It is owned by Charles Schwab. Nice digs don’t you think? Turns out Mr. Schwab owns another house at Pebble. He felt the need to have a party house. Aren’t you thrilled to know that Mr. Schwab has invested your money well enough to afford not one but two houses at Pebble Beach? Guess he doesn’t want his guests to mess up his real house. I spent the day with a marshal who has been doing the AT&T for a million years and truly knows what’s up around here.

Sat in the bleachers on 8 for awhile today – watch for this hole…it is a make or break. I think that 6 through 9 are the best holes…absolutely gorgeous and crazy. 7 is a 100 yard downhill par 3 on the edge of the cliff. Unlike 17 that goes out toward the water, 7 parallels it. Cannot wait to see it in the afternoon when the wind kicks up. 8 is a layup off the tee and then a long shot over a ravine to a small heart-shaped green. Factoid: Previous US Open winners, Nicklaus, Watson, Kite and Woods, at Pebble played 8 in +1. Watson and Kite birdied the hole once. Phil has played it +4 at least once which is why the Golf Channel guy assumes he has not won here.

Speaking of Phil – he was not on property today. Since it was his 40th birthday he celebrated by playing at Cypress Point. We should all be so lucky…hope he had a nice day.

I have written in previous years that I am blessed and privileged with the opportunity to attend the Opens and see and do what I do. And that is oh so true once again. Sometimes in life we are just in the right place at the right time. Yesterday was one of those times.

Today at 7 a.m. we were part of a 4-man marshal team that was dedicated to Tiger Woods. Our task was to scout areas one shot ahead of him where the crowd could be too close, unruly, need to be moved away from an errant shot – things like that. We are inside the ropes.

We have our own ropes to cordon off areas to keep the spectators away from the ball and the player. I was amazed that people saw the rope and assumed we were something out of the ordinary. But then I have been told that before many times but we shall not dwell on reasons why. I am still trying to come to grips with the fact I walked 9 holes with Tiger Woods.

On 12 he missed the green. My partner and I were responsible for keeping the crowd away from the ball and roping off the area for him to hit the shot. He’s 10 feet away. Let’s be clear – we see this on television! Pretty amazing…

So here’s the real deal…when Tiger plays he is accompanied by the head of security for the USGA. Not just here – everywhere. He has two armed guards, two or three plain clothes with weapons and another security guy. He also is assigned a group of marshals to do just what we did this morning.

This week the USGA decided to send a dedicated marshal group out with Phil as well. So there are 10 of us – 2 groups of 5 that will be assigned to lead/follow Tiger or Phil for the rest of the weekend. Tomorrow morning at 8:06 we will be working Phil’s group going off 10. Friday morning at the same time we will work Tiger’s group. Keep in mind that Phil’s group includes Padraig Harrington and YE Yang. Tiger is playing with Ernie Els and Lee Westwood. Now I ask you…if you are a golfer can life get any freaking better than this?

If only to be able to have a camera to record walking the 18th with Tiger and Phil’s group – inside the ropes! And we assume they will both play the weekend as well. Still trying to wrap my head around this one to put it mildly.

I would love to go on and on but another early morning coming our way so off the la-la land. Tomorrow is another blog. Stay tuned...and thanks for the very nice messages. I'm glad you enjoy the vicarious living :)

Live from the US Open - Pebble Beach June 15, 2010

It is 8:10 and I am so ready for night-night. Up at 5:30 and out at 6 for a 2 mile trek. Lucky for us we worked Disabled Access last year and we know they will haul marshals around if they can. A lovely lady toted us all the way up to the Volunteer center to check it. Bless you – with the pink gloves.

The assignment today was the putting green and then the 18th green area. Way better than the driving range we thought. There were at least 15 of us guarding against the hordes that were non-existent to protect the players who were not there. Keep in mind this is 7 – 8 a.m. The world isn’t even awake yet. By the afternoon the green was full. Wait until Thursday…

The putting green was beyond boring but we walked out to the 18th green – here we are in all our glory. The closest we will ever be again. We chatted up NBC’s Jim Grey by a very small interview tent that is practically falling into Carmel Bay. Nice man all dressed to kill – from the waist up. Jeans and really strange shoes below the belt. We ended up patrolling a player walkway from the 18th back to whence they came or to continue on to 1 if they teed off on 10.

Saw lots of players – could have reached out and touched them but that would not have been cool. Camilo, Rory, Angel – both of them, Ryo, Retief, Oliver to name a few. Was excited to see Tiger on 18 as he was, as always, the first one out the door. Never showed. His entire group bagged it at 13 apparently due to slow practice play by the group in front that amazingly included Tom Watson. Major bummer! Phil cruised by in deep conversation with an interviewer. He was NOT discussing golf but the Lakers and what he thought they needed to do to pull off game 6.

Observation: seems like many of the players still prefer spikes – the real ones. Haven’t heard the sound of spikes in a long time…a welcome reminder of years gone by. And let us not forget that at Bethpage we only heard sounds of gurgling and worse. Another thank you to the golf gods for dry if not warm weather.

The entire Open experience is amazing and it is impossible to put it into words even though I try. American Express is omnipresent as a sponsor as is Lexus. But they both do totally cool things for the spectators. American Express has a venue where pros (not the playing PGA dudes) will work on your swing, video it and a couple of weeks later send you an analysis. How cool is that? I hope to do that tomorrow. Lexus always has pros do autograph sessions and of course takes your picture with the trophy. In my glory…

A lot of things seem a bit smaller this year – Merchandise tent, volunteer tent to name a few. Probably because the USGA does NOT tell The Pebble Beach Co how to run its show. The USGA runs all Opens with an iron fist except at Pebble and Pinehurst. The two P’s tell the USGA that it is their way or the highway. So they all get along which is great news for the rest of us. Thought that was an interesting tidbit.

Tomorrow promises to be a special day...they all are but really looking forward to the morning. And I need to hit it. Only one more thought for the evening...

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY PHIL!!!

Live from the US Open - Pebble Beach June 14, 2010

June 14, 2009

It is Pebble Beach – the 2010 US Open and life is wonderful! Welcome to my world!

Now, you will all remember the monsoon of last year at Bethpage 2009. Let us all forget.

Yesterday in Sonoma – yes California wine country – it was 95 degrees and sunny. A glorious day even if it was a tad bit on the warm side.

Today in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Carmel/Monterey – it was the eternal June gloom. The fog finally lifted her skirts – and not all the way – around 5:30 p.m. I think the high temperature was 60. It was cold and rather windy. I needn’t remind you of the foot of mud at last year’s annual confab so cool and windy are okay.

Phil Mickelson did not show his smiling face at all to warm our hearts, souls and hands. Tiger did play a practice round I understand and he was on the driving range this afternoon. That said he apparently still needs a little work on that driver. Oh, and the 3 wood. And most likely every other club in his bag. But, I still predict he will prevail. Please remember that come Sunday afternoon but only if he actually does win. If he doesn’t you may conveniently forget it and tell your friends that your favorite blogger predicted that the golfer who actually won – won!

This year we are a marshal. (Please note that I refer to us as we because each of you are with me each step of the way – actually I always wanted to be the Queen and hence the royal ‘we.’) We are a “19th Hole Marshal.” I know, I know. How cool is that? We get to keep track of what they drink at the bar. In all actuality the 19th whole marshals are fill-ins wherever needed. Can be a very cool thing.

Today being cool was marshaling the driving range grandstand. It was really hard work for the 20 or so of us that were there. For awhile there were more of us than there were patrons. It is quite interesting how almost every person who wanders up the stairs immediately stops to look over the railing. No one apparently gets it that the people behind them in the stands cannot see. Most are gracious and move along. And then there are the ‘others’ who seem put out that they are not special and cannot stand there until their hearts are content. Move along…everyone.

If I seem to be rambling it is because it is 11 pm and we have to be up and out the door at 6 to walk the seemingly 18 miles to find out our 19th Hole Marshal assignment. We could be sent backwards 16 miles to our appointed place. More on the “WTF” for volunteers tomorrow.

Carmel is beyond wonderful and we were blessed to have a B&B recommended that is awesome. We can walk to the Carmel gate and not drive 35 minutes to north Monterey to our parking lot and be bussed back 35 minutes. It is still quite a hike and my tootsies are ready for bed.

I just realized that I did not talk much about golf…but then, there wasn’t a whole lot to be seen. Players out there but it is still very relaxed, laid back and everyone is just chillin’. The hoards are not far from view so I am enjoying the quiet.

Pictures and hopefully sun on Tuesday. Sleep well. Only two more days and the race is on.

Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes and bear gets you. Right now, I have the bear by the tail!

Later….