Live at the US Open - Pebble Beach - Monday June 10, 2019

Hello Friends…(ouch!  Kill me now!)

After a two-year absence we are back at beautiful Pebble Beach for the 2019 US Open.  It does not seem possible that it was 2010 when we were here last when Graeme McDowell won. 

Once again we are 19^th Hole Marshals so we do not know what we will be doing until our first scheduled shift tomorrow afternoon.  Hoping for something juicy but we could also be watching an empty putting green or sand trap.  Whatever it is there will be stories to tell.

We arrived Sunday afternoon.  We have been in Southern CA, AZ and NV since December in our latest ‘home’ – The Beast.  Or as Jeff calls is The Coach.  We are actually headed home to Kent from here with several stops along the way including the Open.

We are ‘camping’ at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas which is about 20 minutes from Pebble.   We have a gorgeous view from right outside our door which is lovely for morning coffee.  Of course the parking venues are either north or south of us so it is an hour no matter how you slice it.   But the USGA always does a stellar job of getting fans to and from the course.  Last time we stayed in Carmel and walked to the course which was fabulous but we did miss the drive down some of the famed 17 Mile Drive we see from the bus.  If you are looking for new digs there are several okay homes for sale along the drive.

We did the usual first day thing – check in, get a beer, go to the Merchandise Tent.  I don’t care how hard you try you cannot get out of there for under $250.00.  Then you wonder what it was you actually bought.  As always great stuff and reasonably priced unless you are buying Lauren or Millar.  If you want something that says Pebble Beach without the Open logo you can go to one of the shops at the Lodge where everything is rather outrageous.  Saw the exact same jacket for $330.00 that was $165.00 in Merchandise.  Wow!  I didn’t buy either 😊 

It was not very crowded Monday – seemingly more volunteers and autograph seekers than fans.  That will change tomorrow.  We just wandered and enjoyed the stellar, hot weather.  Weather will change come tomorrow and be downright cool come the weekend with highs in the low 60s.  But all sun so will be perfect since the mid-80s is hot when walking or standing on a golf course.  Or worse, sitting in a grandstand. 

We watched several players play into 16 including Koepka, Glover, Ancer and Weir.  Koepka is really good-looking and interestingly enough not that big.  We’ve all heard about his weight loss – yada yada yada – but I think he’s lucky to be 6’. 

One can get autographs through Wednesday.  Most of the pros will stop at the crossings from green to tee and sign.  Also when they arrive at the putting green/first tee area.  They typically look for the kids which is the right thing to do since there are so many ‘professional autograph seekers’ out there.  We stood next to one who according to him wasn’t one of them.  But not sure why he had two in his hand and 10 additional plastic-covered ones at his feet.  He was telling us how he was after Mike Weir for his Masters flag with champions-only autographs on it.  Probably worth something on ebay.  He did get Weir and when Weir was walking away the guy asked him to put ’03 under his signature.  Cheeky! 

And speaking of autographs…each year I purchase the red flag from the 18^th hole of the venue.  My keepsake.  A couple of years ago I thought it would be cool to have that year’s champion sign it.  Cool idea – hard to do.  But as I may have mentioned previously I have McDowell, Simpson, Cabrera.  Doubtless could have had Glover numerous times but somehow my Bethpage flag disappeared.  So bummed.  Still have Tiger, Rory, Bruce and Jordan to go.  Oh wait! 

Wait for it....









Only three to go!  I’m stoked!

  

 

 

Note that the signature says To Mel.  He would not sign if he couldn’t put a name on it.  Thinking they figured out that selling flags would not be as easy with someone else’s name on it.  I like it! 

We followed Jordan on 18 where he had just jumped in with four others.  After teeing off on 18 he walked over to the ropes and signed.  No one else bothered or even looked in the fans’ direction.

When they finish at 18 there are SUVs waiting to take them back to wherever they go – range, putting green, locker room.  Nice touch.  There was a rope behind the grandstand to keep fans at distance as they left – at least 15 yards.  There were not that many people back there which doubtless helped.  But someone called out Jordan’s name and he walked right over and signed for everyone there.  Again the other pros never even looked over.  I think Mr Speith is the class act everyone says he is.

That was Day 1.  Excellent all the way around.  More tomorrow…