The Open or BMW Championship

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RichardSanderson

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Morning all!

I'm thinking about beig a spectator at a golf event for the first time - which would you recommend? The Open or the BMW Championship?

I'm aware The Open is a much more high profile comp but I've never been to an immaculate parkland course like Wentworth.
 
RichardSanderson said:
Morning all!

I'm thinking about beig a spectator at a golf event for the first time - which would you recommend? The Open or the BMW Championship?

I'm aware The Open is a much more high profile comp but I've never been to an immaculate parkland course like Wentworth.
Click to expand...

Or you could go to the US Open qualifying at Walton Heath. Freebie, 36 holes, and no ropes. Best way of getting up close to the players. Bank holiday Monday end of May.
 
The open by a couple of thousand country miles.

The atmosphere around the place is something else. The BMW is a kiddies competition in comparison.
 
I have been to the open and a regular tour event and the open is a different class. Firstly there will be a better field there, better groupings to follow and the atmosphere is better. The practice day at the open was great as the players were relaxed and enjoyed a bit of chat and banter. The open is more expensive but it is worth every penny.

I am going to the BMW practice day this year as I'm in the area on holiday which should be good, also going to the dunhill at the end of the year. But i would trade both of those to be going to the open again this year. Cant't wait for it to return to Scotland so I can make the trip easier.
 
I'm doing the Open again this year; I'm going Practice Sunday - to Tuesday, then back on Thursday night for Friday and Saturday and then back at home just in time for Mr Alliss to wrap it all up nicely for me.

In 2012 we did Royal Lytham and on the Sunday got to the 18th at around 9:30am in the morning and watched them all come in, and of course witnessed Ernie birdie and launch his ball into the crowd (the roar was unreal when he holed that putt), and then of course witnessing poor Scotty collapse to his knees when he missed his putt to send it to a playoff. It was a real class event, apart from the snobby member I had a run in with (but that's another story ;) )
 
rob_golf1 said:
I'm doing the Open again this year; I'm going Practice Sunday - to Tuesday, then back on Thursday night for Friday and Saturday and then back at home just in time for Mr Alliss to wrap it all up nicely for me.

In 2012 we did Royal Lytham and on the Sunday got to the 18th at around 9:30am in the morning and watched them all come in, and of course witnessed Ernie birdie and launch his ball into the crowd (the roar was unreal when he holed that putt), and then of course witnessing poor Scotty collapse to his knees when he missed his putt to send it to a playoff. It was a real class event, apart from the snobby member I had a run in with (but that's another story ;) )
Click to expand...


Go on tell.
 
RichardSanderson said:
Morning all!

I'm thinking about beig a spectator at a golf event for the first time - which would you recommend? The Open or the BMW Championship?

I'm aware The Open is a much more high profile comp but I've never been to an immaculate parkland course like Wentworth.
Click to expand...

do both, but dont just do the Sunday for the Open as you'll miss some big names missing the cut, and some up and coming young guns.
Go on the one of the last Practice days, cheaper and great atmosphere
 
3565 said:
[/B]
Go on tell.
Click to expand...

Basically, me and my Dad had waited on the 18th all day. Anyway, it was quite a hot weekend, and my hay fever was running riot, so I popped off to the toilet to relieve myself. On returning back to the spot where my Dad was standing, a guy had moved into my space and was standing over my bag. I asked him (politely) if he could move from my spot so I could get my bag, and he turned looked at me, and looked away. I asked him again to which he blanked me again. At this point now I was already a little hacked off with the hay fever and so I was reasonable again and said to him: "look mate, I'm not in the mood for this, but can you please move, I've been here since 9:30am, I just want to watch the golf". He then replied: "I don't care, I'm a member here". BOOOOOM.... I then let rip........ my reply was: "I don't give a F if your a member here, move the F out the way". He promptly moved.......

His wife/daughter (no idea who it was) started having a pop then as well, but I got her to shut up in the end as well!
 
my personal preference would be the BMW to be honest. though that is partly geographic.

its a good change to be close to the players and to see them hit shots, but in my opinion, golf isn't really a sport where the live spectator experience is particularly good. its difficult to have a particularly good idea what else is happening on the course, and difficult to even get a vantage point that will let you have a good view of a shot's start and finish.

then if it rains and everyone puts their brollies up it gets even harder.

my preference is to go to the thursday or friday of the pga where you can see most players on a variety of holes. last open i went to it was the sunday and most people are following the last 3 or 4 groups so those holes are massively busy and it can be almost impossible to follow a group and get a good sight of each shot. you can always nab a grandstand seat but then you're watching the also rans plod round for 90% of the day.

Whatever you chose. take a packed lunch or you might have to remortgage your house for fish and chips.
 
I am going to the Thursday at Wentworth, really looking forward to it, I will spend a fair amount of time on the range.

Also considering a practice day at the open but have to sort holidays
 
richart said:
Or you could go to the US Open qualifying at Walton Heath. Freebie, 36 holes, and no ropes. Best way of getting up close to the players. Bank holiday Monday end of May.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was going to say...

free parking, free entry, very small crowds, walk with the players, get to walk both walton heath courses.....yada yada yada
 
pendodave said:
This is exactly what I was going to say...

free parking, free entry, very small crowds, walk with the players, get to walk both walton heath courses.....yada yada yada
Click to expand...
but you only get people trying to qualify, couple of 'older' stars maybe
RichardSanderson said:
It's almost a 4 hour drive there though, which is an issue. Hoylake is just over an hour.

Spoken to a couple of mates, The Open it is!
Click to expand...

good choice, you will love it, the atmosphere and not to mention the totty.........oh and they play some golf too
 
CMAC said:
but you only get people trying to qualify, couple of 'older' stars maybe
Click to expand...

There are some pretty 'big' names there though - the likes of David Howell, Fisher, Larrazabel and that level. Of those not already exempt, only those in the Top 60 World Rankings get in automatically.

And, of course, the Winner in 2005 qualified from there!
 
CMAC said:
but you only get people trying to qualify, couple of 'older' stars maybe
Click to expand...
Players outside top 50 in the world, so not a bad standard. Two years ago followed Olly and Chris Wood, so old and the young. Last year watched Paul Casey, Monty, Singh, David Howell etc, so not bad golfers. Advantage is you can get right up close, and even chat to the players. You don't spend the day trying to look over other peoples heads, or sitting in a seat and seeing a few putts every 15 minutes.:whistle: If you haven't been, do it, as you don't get much for nothing these days.
 
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