I have
played Chambers Bay. It was a long,
beautiful walk. The course is truly
amazing. What I remember about the
course on that day is entirely different than the course that I saw today – the
first real practice day of the 2015 US Open.
I saw the
Golf Channel do graphics about the elevation changes. One is a 195’ drop and it is hard to put into
words what that means to one who is walking the course. Keep in mind that the players are walking the
course – more on that later. But what
the elevation means to a patron walking from one hole to another is something
else. Sometimes you wonder if there is a
‘there’ there. There are holes up there
at the white tents. (see right)
We did not
walk the entire course today. Remember
back at Pebble Beach and Congressional when we walked with Tiger, Phil and
Rory? We did that for five and six days
straight. I cannot even imagine doing
two at Chambers Bay.
We are
marshalling Hole #3 which is a downhill par 3.
This view (on the right) is from the back of the green looking at the
singular tree on the entire course. And,
of course, Puget Sound.
It is
awesome that our club has a par 3 hole because as a marshal you can see the
entire hole from any point where you are stationed. It was my task for awhile to tell the groups
that instead of walking off the green and take a road up (a long ways) to 4 tee
that they had to walk back down off the green (think elevation) across a walkway
and around the back of 11 green, up a hill and across a bridge. The reactions were less than happy for the
most part. Caddies were vocal – I’m NOT
doing that today! And this is Hole #3
and it is Monday! It is a long, long
walk.
That being
said my gut tells me that a 25-something is going to win simply because their
bodies are 25 and should handle it better than the older players. Then again, patience with the course and
handling the fatigue will be of the utmost importance. I think a lot of 25-somethings will not have
the patience. Perhaps a 21 year old
though.
The names….
Tiger played
the back 9 today. I saw him only on 15
green and 16 tee. Let’s say he was
walking around the green gingerly. But
he whacked his tee shot on 16 with no flinches or a hand to the back. Maybe he is just saving himself for the road
ahead.
Phil was at
home in CA. He is having a birthday
(his) breakfast with his family tomorrow and heading north. Rory was not present nor have I heard his
whereabouts discussed. Jordan did not
tee off until after 3 and we were done by then.
Watched Rickie, Bubba and Jimmy Walker play 1. They all stuffed their approaches. Pretty fun.
Butch Harmon spent 10 minutes with Rickie and Bubba on the green giving
a putting lesson.
It was an
absolutely gorgeous day as you could see if you watched any of the highlights
on Golf Channel or maybe Fox Sports 1.
By mid-afternoon it was 88. Keep
in mind this is the Seattle area – in June – and it was 88 and sunny. Unbelievable.
We were so very glad we worked the morning. I wonder if the powers-that-be at the USGA
aren’t secretly wishing it was 55 and rainy and windy. Cooler tomorrow – mid 70s. Should be lovely.
We are back
at it at 7 am tomorrow. Will be
interesting to see who comes through on our watch. Will keep you posted…thanks so much.
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