Observations from The Open

[BeerPerHole]

My son and I were there all day Sunday. It was only my second PGA event in person. We really had a blast. It was just a huge celebration of golf with a bunch of fellow fans from all over. I chatted with people from Italy, Germany and many folks who used to live in California but have relocated to other places. Met several people from St. Louis - must be a golf-crazy town. Everybody seemed very friendly and stoked to be at Pebble. What a beautiful setting. Our first stop was right behind the 1st tee. Watching the guys negotiate that first shot is interesting. Sang "happy birthday" to Phil and watched him pipe one with a long iron. His shot was different than all the others we saw there - hammered.

My son wanted to high-five several of the players and got to. It's interesting to see how different players react to the kids and interact with the fans. When we saw Rahm he was missing fairways and staring at the ground when he walked by. DJ was very nice with the kids. He looks much bigger in person. On tv he looks lanky. Henrik Stenson (saw him with Rahm) was very nice - looking at my son and I and saying, "Thanks for coming out guys!" I always admired his game so that was nice. I stood at the bend on 14 for a while and that was a great spot to watch the drives land and see the players each mulling over that daunting approach shot. Our time at the practice range was neat. Good chance for my boy to watch how the pros prepare. Got a strange vibe watching Reed. He didn't speak to anybody, not even his caddy...ever.

I had heard of the Tiger hoards but didn't experience it until Sunday. Yeah...it's interesting. Probably the only time one would see jorts on Pebble Beach (humor). We decided not to follow him, as my son wanted initially, because it was pretty stupid. But, we did watch him a few times. He was struggling. It dawned on me that the cold air was probably painful on his joints (I was certainly feeling it). Saw him miss some fairways that are somewhat hard to miss.

Loved watching Ricky hit some tee shots. After working to flatting my swing a lot more with our pro I've come to appreciate his action.

Was happy to see Hovland out there. I think this kid is terrific. Great ball striker. Heard others also noticing that he's pretty ripped. Very strong-looking guy.

We enjoyed spending the last hour or so on the 18th fairway. We were about 60 yards past the tree and were amazed to see how long the big hitters were. Did I hear right that Brooks hit an iron or 3-wood off that tee? Wow. Got to watch Woodland's final put and the place just erupted. Great memories for my boy and I.

[MMB1500]

The Open isn't until next month. ;)

[Hawkeye77]

Stenson seems to be a great guy. Check out his Instagram - hit somebody and got down on the ground with the guy and his girlfriend while they took selfies!

[Rangeballz]

I'll ignore MMB's comment and thank you for posting. Great stories, and sounds like a wonderful way to spend Father's Day.

[ImagineThat]

> @BeerPerHole said:

> Henrik Stenson (saw him with Rahm) was very nice - looking at my son and I and saying, "Thanks for coming out guys!" I always admired his game so that was nice.

 

> Was happy to see Hovland out there. I think this kid is terrific.

 

I'm glad to hear that Henrik Stenson made a nice comment to you and your son. And, I also think that Victor Hovland will be a fan favorite pretty soon.

 

 

 

[BrianMcG]

> @MMB1500 said:

> The Open isn't until next month. ;)

 

LOL.

[DavePelz4]

What a memorable experience with your son! Memories for a lifetime.

[bladehunter]

See ^^^ we call the us open “ the open “. Have for eons.

[alpineto]

Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Actually the Open could describe many events. The US Open is clearly the name and describes the location. The Open is confusing and doesn't clearly differentiate itself from others. Obvsiously the result of some silly and perhaps pretentious "rebranding" a number of years back. Truth is that it was commonly called the British Open for decades on both sides of the pond. Sure not just British anymore so perhaps more aptly the European Open. Or as others were calling it, The Brexit Open or the Bropen. :wink:

But relax--- whatever it's called we love that tournament.!

 

 

[Loki]

That's for US viewers, not the rest of the world.

[idrive]

While they didn't last long enough, my best memories of Golf, will always be the ones I had with my Dad.

 

Your Son will never forget the experience he had Sunday with his Dad.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

> @Loki said:

> That's for US viewers, not the rest of the world.

Not true. Check out this link and scroll to 1:00 mins.

[Man_O_War]

don't think i would describe hovland as ripped... he is just a big big boned kid..like woodchopping Norwegians, although he doesn't look native Norwegian. Assume his mum his non-native.

[tannyhoban]

Sounds like a perfect Fathers Day!

[bscinstnct]

> @alpineto said:

> Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .

 

If you overheard someone recounting this experience in person,

 

Would you say,

 

“Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .”

 

Lol, cmon, man.

 

 

 

 

[BIG STU]

> @bladehunter said:

> See ^^^ we call the us open “ the open “. Have for eons.

 

And back in the day the old timers called it The National Open. All the old timers called it that and the one across the pond was called the British Open---- The smaller golf balls they had back in the day were called English Golf Balls. That was the way it was called in the South growing up

[BeerPerHole]

> @MMB1500 said:

> The Open isn't until next month. ;)

 

That's good...

[Steele47]

> @bladehunter said:

> See ^^^ we call the us open “ the open “. Have for eons.

 

 

Always been referred to as US Open within my earshot. Maybe it's an East Coast thing calling the US Open simply the Open?

[ray9898]

Jeez....is it already time to start the "The Open" crap? Some people are gluttons for marketing.

[DavePelz4]

> @alpineto said:

> Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .

 

Hopefully you're not offended but Mrs. Pelz uses the term Open to describe my fly on occasion.

[Mikey5e]

> @MMB1500 said:

> The Open isn't until next month. ;)

 

The US OPEN is the real open.

[wmblake2000]

> @BeerPerHole said:

> My son and I were there all day Sunday. It was only my second PGA event in person. We really had a blast. It was just a huge celebration of golf with a bunch of fellow fans from all over. I chatted with people from Italy, Germany and many folks who used to live in California but have relocated to other places. Met several people from St. Louis - must be a golf-crazy town. Everybody seemed very friendly and stoked to be at Pebble. What a beautiful setting.

 

Glad you and your son had that kind of experience. I was at the Masters in 2018 that was how I felt about it ... it was a celebration of golf. But I had been to us open at Torrey Pines and did not have that same feeling. So glad you did. Sounds like your boy will have lifetime memory from it.

 

After this US Open at Pebble, sure does make the next tournament this week seem mundane.

[kmay__]

Stenson is definitely a nice guy, went to the RBC 2 weeks ago and he had lots of time for everyone and seemed very friendly. And the following week at work everyone kept asking me " how was The Open" surprisingly enough, I didn't correct nor condescend any of them.

[dalehead]

> @alpineto said:

> Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .

 

Since this thread, which started with a very good post has degenerated into condescending elitists nit picking word choices ( the favorite pastime of many WRX'ers) I'll join the fray and point out that "The Open Championship" is being played this year in Northern Ireland, which as far as I know has never been credited or claimed to be the home of golf.

 

There. Now that I've demonstrated my superior knowledge and golf political correctness I feel better about my self.

[exit47]

I was there Thursday and Friday. We found a little corner spot on the 4th green and next to the 5th tee on the ropes. Nobody was there and the players are literally right there on the green and tee. The Tee's were back by the ropes on Thursday so as they were waiting, the caddies and players were talking to the fans a little, which was cool. Saw Rory, DJ, JT, Tiger, Phil, Rahm, Sergio, etc..........come right through. Great spot for the 4th green and tee shots on 5

[Ferguson]

Although extremely difficult for me at this point, I shall refrain from posting my original thoughts about "singing to Phil" by simply saying, I'm glad you enjoyed the day with your son.

[golfer07840]

Sounds like a great experience for the OP. What an enjoyable post.

 

And then.... I read the comments. I just shook my head and wonder what the *bleep* this world is coming to.

[bladehunter]

> @Steele47 said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > See ^^^ we call the us open “ the open “. Have for eons.

>

>

> Always been referred to as US Open within my earshot. Maybe it's an East Coast thing calling the US Open simply the Open?

 

Could just be a south. Carolina thing. We have been known to start a few trends ( right or wrong) . Kind of March our own way , And end a few fights. South Carolinians and the British Crown don’t exactly have a good working relationship history. Lol.

[alpineto]

> @bscinstnct said:

> > @alpineto said:

> > Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .

>

> If you overheard someone recounting this experience in person,

>

> Would you say,

>

> “Just correcting you it's not the open it's the U.S open , the open is reserved for the home of golf .”

>

> Lol, cmon, man.

>

Why is the man confusing things by calling the US open the open , when we all know where the open is played

the home of golf , the United Kingdom .

>

>

>