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…
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Hey Mom,
ReplyDeleteThis is such fun stuff. Glad you had an awesome week. i really enjoyed your posts and observations. Way to work the field! Dana