Barracuda

Took the family to see the Barracuda Championship at Montreux near Reno. First PGA event for me. I attended a senior event many years ago. Man, what a beautiful course this was. Saw Appleby and Crane and observed all the different guys at work. Very interesting to watch these guys closely. They sure play a different game than my buddies and I. My son wanted to watch on #8, which was playing a narrow 630+. Several of the guys reached it in 2.

On the way there I made sure my kids understand the importance of being quiet when the players are at work. Right after we got there and sat under a big pine to watch the approach shots to #9, a caddy came under the ropes right in front if us and stormed up the hill at some big idiot yapping loudly on his phone. My kids' eyes got real big and the caddy chatted briefly with us on the way back under the rope.

I recommend making the trip to this one for the NorCal fans.

stroud's second shot to the 18th in regulation is one of the most beautiful trajectories for a long ball that i have seen... Great swing. Was pulling for Owen but he basically started spitting choke with a dodgy swing

Afterward, I asked my wife, "What did you notice about those players?" Attending a tourney in person provides a good opportunity to observe the best and see how they play, etc. Her answer, "They're all so skinny." Sure, there were a couple guys nearer the Champion's Tour age with bellies, but other than that, these guys are small-framed. No barrel chests out there. I've been altering my workouts, being an age-old gym rat, and noted how a golfer is built - compared to an ape like me. Also, I really couldn't help but observe how deliberate all of these guys are in everything they do. The level of focus, it appears, may be what really sets them apart from those who didn't make it to the big show. They move slow, go over notes, take their time addressing the ball - even the swings looked very relaxed. Very interesting to watch. I was just relieved my two little ones didn't cause a ruckus, haha...

I didn't get to attend this year, but I did have a great time when I went a couple years ago. It's a fairly low-key tournament and I don't recall hearing a single dumb shout after a swing either. The 18th is an awesome finishing hole.