Sunday final round

Wow - what a tournament - drama right to the end with three of the biggest names in golf trying to overtake a couple of unknown's who ended up 1st and 2nd.

My plan for the day was to go early and walk backward from 18 for a few holes then head to the driving range. I stopped at 17 for my breakfast/lunch and sat at a table overlooking 18 and Stillwater Cover - what a site. I heard a couple at the next table talking when they mentioned Indianapolis. I asked if that was where they were from and sure enough they were - what a coincidence! They had come on Sunday and had been at the tournament everyday including the practice rounds - there are some loyal fans.

I then stopped at the tee box for #'s 17 & 4 - it's one big tee box. Not a bad place to watch. You can see groups finishing up on 3 and other groups teeing off on 17 and 4 all in one spot. I then started working my way up 3 until I got to the tee box on # 2 and watched some groups tee off. Then I worked my way to the driving range. It's interesting that the driving range is outside of the tournament gates. So, you wouldn't need a ticket to simply go and watch the players warm up. I got there about an hour and a half before the final tee times. Here you get to see all of the players in contention. It was interesting that has players would work there way on to the range a few people would yell encouragement but when Phil entered he got a roaring ovation. And then came Tiger - wow - another roaring ovation - almost a standing ovation - isn't interesting that in the end they tied.

I find it really interesting to watch the pros warm up on the range working their way through the bag. What is most amazing is how easy they seem to swing - even with their drivers, and always - always ending their shots in perfect balance - never over swinging - like all of us. There is no doubt in my mind that the single best swing improvement any of us amateurs can do is to learn to swing rhythmically and in balance - much like we do when we hit a lay up shot.

What a great experience. I got lucky with my assignments. Mine were all on the course. Many of the volunteers had assignments inside merchandise tents, or directing traffic or somewhere away from the tournament. Next year the tournament is the Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland - I'm filling out my application as soon as I can!




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Saturday

My official duties as a volunteer ended Thursday so I'm free to enjoy the Open. Today I positioned myself around 15, 14, and 13 and simply watched as the players came through. The weather here has been magnificent - sunny in the mid 50's, which the locals tell us highly unusually. They call this time of year the June Clooms. Since pictures aren't allowed once the tournament starts I'm including some pictures that Margaret took at the Carmel Mission while I was at the tournament.

The crowds are unbelievable. This course isn't really designed for spectators so viewing areas are limited and very crowded. As usual, the big crowds are following Tiger and Phil. If you were watching on TV it had to be exciting watching the Tiger charge. Tomorrow should be very interesting.


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Carmel Mission Inn Photos

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Sailing pictures

Friday we took a day off from golf and took a two hour sailing tour (sounds like what Gilligan did). Turns out we were the only passengers. Our captain was Chris (in the yellow jacket). We left the pier at Monterey Bay and sailed out to sea. Chris let me steer the boat for the last hour of the trip - and we still made it back. My record was 8 knots while tacking into a 19 knot wind. Margaret was hanging on for dear life. At times the boat was tilting was much that one side was level with the water.












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Margaret sailing video

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Sea Lions video

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Location:Pier at Monterey Bay

Thursday's post

I'm finding it easier to do the day before's post the next morning. We're starting to get into a routine - I head out around 8 AM to Peets Coffee (the company that was the origin to Starbucks) about two blocks from our lime green Travel Lodge. I grab some coffee and a paper and then settle in for the day's post. Margaret joins me around 9 AM and we map out our day.

Yesterday, the first day of the tournament, I worked the 5 - 9 PM shift. I wanted to get there a little early to watch some of the tournament. So after our lunch (see picture below) Margaret dropped me off at the volunteer shuttle lot and off I went. From 2 - 5 I parked myself inside the ropes on the side of the 13th fairway where the spectators weren't allowed. This gave me an unobstructed view of the players as they played the hole. And, yes Tiger, Westwood and Els all came through. From my spot at the 13th I could see part's of the 8th, most of the 9th and 10th. You could tell where Tiger, Westwood, Els group was by watching the sea of people move in unison like a swarm of bees has the group progressed through each hole. As they neared the 13th the first sign of their approaching was in increase in media people, then security, then spotters, then USGA officials and then the swarm started forming on the other side of the 13th fairway. After they completed the 13th it was like a evacuation siren went off suddenly no crowd.

My job for the day was to collect the bids from the caddies as they came to the 9th hole scoring tent with their player. This turned out to be a very interesting assignment. The 9th hole scoring tent was positioned on the 13th fairway away from the spectators. These were the groups that started their rounds on 10 and finished on 9. So, about every 15 to 20 minutes three players, their caddies, and their "player guests" would head to the scorer's tent. We would collect the bibs from the caddies, who would hang around until the player's came out of the tent. Then the players and caddies would gather their group and ask us how to get back to the player's hospitality area. So we were "up close and personal" with this entire group that included Tom Watson, Kenny Perry, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, Ryan Moore, Aaron Baddeley, etc. Tiger started on 1, so the bib collectors working 18 get to see him.

Today - I'm taking a day off from the tournament. We're going to take a sail boat tour on Monterey Bay this afternoon and then back to Spanish Bay for dinner.






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Location:Peet's Coffee Monetrey