The Open.

[Atticus_Finch]

Just spent the last two days at the Open and it was wonderful. Spoke to Mike weir and Big Phil. Two terrific guys.
Although Mickelson didn't sign anything during his round, he spent at least 20 minutes at the end yesterday signing at the side of the 18th. No-one was left disappointed. Compare that to Vijay who, while signing during the round, didn't break his stride when signing and then just chucked the few thing he did sign randomly back into the crowd. Left a bit of a sour taste, as a lot of kids were disappointed.

Anyway, That's just a few observations I made. Having a day off today to work myself up into a frenzy for showtime tomorrow. In the meantime, if any of you guys who can't make it up here at the weekend want to know anything about whats happening (how the course is playing, weather etc..)just drop me a line and I'll try to reply. (just as soon as I appear from the Open Arms.. .

 

[Trueblue]

sounds epic...lucky man! what is the weather like?!

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Got drenched on Monday morning. Absolutely Scorchio yesterday. Got burnt to a crisp. Fair today, with light, occasional rain. The course will be playing long this week, so look out for Tiger reaching for the Big Stick more than he would like.

 

[AliB]

Thanks for the insider information. I think we're all jealous as hell.
I'm an exiled Scot myself (Fife) and next year thinking of making the trek to Loch Lomond. Ticket prices seem very fair to me, and there's the scenery, when you can see it through the rain!
I know LL is out of your area, but if you have any thoughts on reasonably priced accommodation, please tell!
Cheers
aliB

 

[birdieman]

Rather watch it on telly personally, went to St Andrews in 2005, couldn't see bu66er all, I'm only 5'9", you need to be at least 6'3" to see any golf! Trying to follow a golf ball with a pair of binoculars is extremely difficult too. Watched Justin Leonard and that Thai fellow with the long name drive off on the 6th - couldn't hit the skin off a rice pudding in my opinion - not impressed. My efforts to get a glimpse of the great one (Tiger not Monty!) were limited to watching him hit a chip from the other side of the course, all I could see on the next tee was the head of his driver as it rose above a hundred packed heads. There are no hills on these links courses to find a view.
Going to the Open is a fun thing to do just for the thrill of being there but if you actually want to see the tournament unfold find a tv! Sorry Atticus, come Sunday I shall be parked in front of my 32" telly, beers and snacks to hand, you and the hundred thousand others can stand around pretending to get excited about the golf when all you can actaully see are peoples heads and umbrellas if its raining followed by 3 hours of traffic jams.
Only question I have is when does it start on BBC1.
God I'm going to get slated for this post!!

 

[ANDYTROW]

baaa humbug

 

[Atticus_Finch]

No Birdieman, Not at all.
I agree. If you want to watch the tournament unfold, the a 32" TV with a few beers is the second best place to be, However, if you want to get an appreciation of exactly how good these guys are, then you have to be here,up close feeling the tension, seeing the beads of sweat on their faces etc..I will probably watch the majority of the golf on the 20ft x 20ft screen in the tented village with a couple of beers soaking in the Atmos.

 

[Dave3498]

Well said Birdieman. I wouldn't go to The Open, (or any other hugely crowded event) even if they paid me. I might find myself standing next to some bloke who shouts 'get in the hole' and I would have to punch him in the face, and get arrested.

 

[Junior]

I find you get better value for money on the paractice days. For my £25 last year I followed Michael Campbell / John Daly / Luke Donald & more and it was great fun. No one saw Tiger as he went out mega early to practice in peace and it was john Daly who was drawing the crowds. I say £25.....but I ended up spending far more than that with all the gear stands and expensive food drinks. Awesome day though.

 

[John_Findlay]

I think the Open is great to watch live if you're happily settled in a nice grandstand on a summery day...but as for trying to follow Tiger or some of the other big names around the course..give me my telly.

Been to 3 Opens now. St Andrews x 2 and Royal Troon. Best one was following a fellow club member, Lloyd Saltman (Silver medal St Andrews 2005) around because the crowds were very sparce at 7am Thursday. Saw every shot no problem. Tried likewise with Tiger later in the day and gave up after 2 holes.

Other tournaments, like the Scottish Open, are nowhere near as busy.

 

[birdieman]

Atticus, How are you feeling by day 4? What's your take on the atmos? I dont think this open has captured the imagination and the crowd seems a bit flat -is that the case? The weather has been miserable and looking at tv on Sunday the weather appears to be awful.
Is the fact that Sergio is so far ahead spoiling the event, nothing better than a crowded leaderboard come Sunday. What is the temperature, looks no higher than 11 or 12c. Thanks.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Birdieman,

Hi, This has been my first chance to get back to you. What a day yesterday! Absolutely incredible. Our gameplan for yesterday was to try and get in a grandstand at the 18th and secure our seats for the Finale. We decided not to take any risks so we went in at 12.00 when they were about 1/4 full. It was torrential rain at that point and absolutely freezing (for July) Once the rain went off at about 2.00, it was tremendous. Our view was completely unspoilt and the hole was about 30yds in front of us. All I wanted before I went was for someone not to run away with it and come down 18 with 6 strokes in hand. I wanted some excitement at the end, and I couldn't have asked for much more than what we got. (Although, even if someone DID have 6 strokes up their cuff on the 18th tee, they probably still wouldn't be that confident.)

So far as the weather is concerned, it was, on the whole, cold. The only good day was Friday, when, I ashamed to say, I didn't see a stroke of live golf. We had played in the morning and we arrived at the course at about 2.00 where we decided to go for a quick pint before getting out there. Speed forward to 6.30 and we're still there, 9 pints later having a lively debate about the intricacies of Nickluas' putting stoke.

All in all a wonderful week that I'll remember for ever.

This may sound bias, but I believe it to be true...
You never get a boring Open at Carnoustie.
Let's hope it remains on the rota.


Drive Safely..

 

[birdieman]

Atticus,
thanks for that.
Wow what a turnaround and not just the weather, one of the best Major finished in a long time. The 18th is brutal though I cant help feeling some players are making it harder for themselves by playing iron off the tee on a 499 yd hole. Garcia needed to leave himself closer than 249 for his second, now he's blaming the bunker raker. Don't particularly like Garcia but you had to feel for him. +2 on a good scoring day wasn't sharp enough however. Padraig -delighted for him, seems like one of the good guys, thought he'd blown it on 18, shades of Van de Velde!
Birkdale next year, lets hoep we can get a better UK challenge!