At the Open (US that is)

Left SF this morning (Monday) and got to Monterey around noon - after a quick stop at the In N Out Burger - just can't pass up that opportunity! Got checked into our fine accommodations - an old Travel Lodge in downtown Monterey. I'll send a picture of it tomorrow but suffice it to say it sits between a Marathon gas station and a Denny's - that should help set the stage. Supposedly we have free Wi-Fi in the room but the signal is so low that I'm having better luck with 3G. The room isn't all that bad - I guess with the outrages prices they're charging for the Open they've been able to do some upgrading.

Below are a few pictures from the Monday practice round. My official duties for the day was to stand by the 9th green with my partner - a local - and collect the Caddies bibs and towels. Guess what - the caddies don't where bibs during practice rounds and almost all have their own towels. So our take for the entire day - that includes the three shift before ours was - one towel! The best part was being up close and personal while the golfers were practicing various shots around the green. Wonder why these guys are so much better than us? The last player to come through was Ernie Els. It was almost dusk but he spent at least 20 minutes chipping shots from about 3 feet off the green to different areas of the green where he and his caddie think the hole placements will be. He didn't do much putting - mostly chipping - at least 40 to 50 balls. And, unlike most courses where the 9th green is next to the club house, Pebble's 9th green is at the farthest point (except for the 10th) from the club house and the walk back is all up hill. But, here was Ernie chipping and chipping - and this was just one green.

Tomorrow I'm stationed at the Caddie Hospitality HQ from 1:30 - 5:15. This will be the last day pictures are allowed. More tomorrow.......




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