YES! Headed to US Open Sectionals!

Yesterday was the last US Open local qualifier. My buddy asked me to caddie for him which I obviously said yes. He's won two other locals so I thought we had a good chance at a course he's played many many times over the past 5 years (Wine Valley, WA). Course was playing at 7,346 yards.

We arrived at the course about two hours early of his 11:30 tee time. Got our gear ready, balls marked, water and snacks. Headed to the chipping area first. While he was hitting his wedges, I took out all the clubs, cleaned the grips and ensured everything was in perfect order.

After about 30-40 wedge shots, went over to the range. Hit a few full wedge shots, short irons, few long irons, Hit some 3 woods (baby draws, fades, high, low). Same with the driver. Then went over the par 3's on the scorecard and hit the irons that he'd normally hit into those greens.

Took a little break before heading to the putting green. Putted for about half hour starting with some 2 footers, then working out to about 10 feet. Hit about 20 lag putts from 50 feet (up hill and down hill) to get the speed. The greens were running at about a 12.5-13 and had a sheen on them that I've never seen. Crazy fast!!

Head to the first tee to meet our playing partners and get rules. One guy in our group had played in the 1991 Masters (US Am Public Links Champion) and was paired with Jack Nicklaus in the first round. Pretty awesome! The other was a 17 year old kid who had a golf scholarship to Seattle University. Super quiet and nice kid.

First hole, killed the driver and had a sand wedge in. Two putted for an easy par.

Second hole, 390 uphill. Striped a 3 wood to 106 out. Tucked pin over a sand trap on the left side. Hit a nice 60 wedge that backed up against the fringe a little and didn't really have a decent back swing with a putter. Hit a good putt that ran by a few feet with a slippery down hiller for par. Just missed. Bogey.

Rest of the front nine was ho-hum pars until he made a nice 20 footer on 9 for the groups first birdie of the day.

So on the turn, I look up the scores on my phone to see where we're at and where we need to be. Told him that we needed to get to -3. He's like "no biggie. We've got three par 5's so it should be good".

At this point, his parents started walking with us and watching the action.

Nice little birdie on the par 5 tenth to get to -1.

Pars on 11, 12, 13, 14.

Get to 15 (par 5) and finds the fairway bunker on the right. We had 196 into the green up the hill to a green guarded by bunkers. Ended up hitting a 6 iron and it leaked into the right side bunker where he had like no back swing (had to go vertical). Somehow hits it about 5 feet from the pin. Sun was in his back and putting through the shadow and just missed for a par.

Hole 16 was playing about 197 uphill with a slight breeze. He was toying between a 5 and 6. I just said "buddy, you don't want anything to do with that front bunker. Just do a smooth 5 iron like number 6". He pulls the trigger and sticks it to about 6 or 7 feet. Makes the putt to get to -2 with one par 5 left. Funny about that hole is that we were walking up to the green, I said "is that a stick on the green?" and then it started moving. I'm like "F me, it's a snake!!" Nice little 6 or 7 foot bull snake.

Hole 17 was the most stressful of the day. 420 straight up hill. Hits 3 wood and we're I think 157 out. He was toying between W or 9 iron. Went with 9 and ended up a little short in the front right bunker. Got it out and ended up about 22 feet above the hole. We looked and it had about 5-6 feet of break. He made it to stay at -2!!!

At this point, I was feeling good as 18 is a 585 yard slight down hill par 5. Piped his driver and we had 224 in. Ended up hitting his 4 iron with a nice high draw which hit the right side of the green and kicked it about 20 -30 feet down the side. He decided to putt it up the hill and left a delicate 6 footer for birdie to finish at -3 (the number). He was looking at it from all the different sides as he knew it was a huge putt. He asked me to look at it (and I've only looked at a few putts all day at this point) and said "Buddy. It's gonna break a little left to right. I like left edge firm". He agreed after seeing the cup leaning a little towards the right and made it to finish at -3. This was particularly cool as it was in front of his parents and brother (who had played earlier in the day).

Never have I been so happy and proud to actually not be golfing and to help my good friend with a great round. Next stop, Tacoma Country Club!!!

Very cool, what an awesome experience

Nice!! Keep us updated if you would.

Congrats!

Wow!! Big congrats to you and your Buddy!! Keep us posted.

That's awesome. Keep us posted

Awesome story, thanks for sharing!

Very cool....being in the heat of competition like that is what's it's all about.

Very cool....being in the heat of competition like that is what's it's all about.

Awesome scene!

After the putt on 18 dropped and we were walking to the scoring tent, I seriously almost started crying. It was one of the coolest feelings knowing that I was there to witness and somewhat help. I tell my buddies that I was there for moral support and keep him hydrated. :)

And I'll definitely write up a follow-up after our round at TCC. Kinda excited to see who we'll be paired with.

Oh yeah, he's my member guest partner this weekend at my local club. He kept telling people that he was playing his practice round before the "real competition" starts this weekend. I gotta say, I like our chances. :)

what a great post

thanks for taking the time

Congrats, keep it going, and please keep us updated. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome! Keep the dream going!

I love the 'need to get to -3'... 'yeah no biggie, there are a few Par 5's left'

What I would give to be able to think shooting -2, under pressure, on the final 9 holes is 'no biggie'. He's playing an entirely different game!

Great story and good luck!

Great Job and congrats!!! Good luck at the next site!!!

Awesome... keep up the good work and watch out for snakes! lol :)

Is he a professional or amateur?

I love reading stuff like this. Thanks for sharing that, man.

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing and good luck!

Great story! Congrats to your buddy, and well done to you.

So on the turn, I look up the scores on my phone to see where we're at and where we need to be. Told him that we needed to get to -3. He's like "no biggie. We've got three par 5's so it should be good".

Man I love this modern day era of information. Last time I tried to qualify a player had no idea of were they stood until they were on the 16th tee. Even then info was buy carrier pigeon and morse code. Aww the wonders of technology.

Very cool! Congrats and good luck

Congrats! I was following the round on the course in my mind as I've played that course a few times. Grew up in that area and my parents still live out there.

Good read...good luck at the next stop

Awesome story. Congrats to both of y'all, good luck and keep us updated. Thanks for posting.

Brilliant

Is he a professional or amateur?

Amateur for now. :)

Congratulations. That's a great putt to make on 17.