It's an item on my bucket list I hadn't known existed previously.
My son invited me to join him at the 2015 Professional Golfers Association Championship for the first day of the third round. It was coming to Wisconsin for the second time to an acclaimed Whistling Straits course nestled along the state's east coast.
Just why was this now on my "bucket list?" Primarily because my oldest son invited me. Matt's taken up golf this year and become quite excited about playing and watching the game.
It's interesting since golf isn't a part of our family history. Golf, like hunting, curling, fishing, or bridge seem to be an activities you learn from your parents. Then it becomes a part of who you are and what makes you happy.
Leaving those introductions off the table makes it more difficult to get involved. Think how difficult it is to learn the rules and nuances of something completely new as an adult. Hey, think about the first job you had which required regular use of a computer! (Kids, this time period did exist... try Googling it.)
Yet, here we were - joining thousands of cars traveling toward the Major tournament in the middle of Wisconsin's rural countryside.
We found our way to the North parking lot - were waved into a place which had been pasture not long before - and boarded one of the dozen buses waiting to take us to the gate.
I haven't found an attendance figure for Saturday yet, but judging by the throngs lining the course, I would guess in the neighborhood of 50,000. I think it's a very conservative guess.
There are four major golf tournaments each year, and the idea one of them is in America's Dairyland is pretty incredible. It seemed like a good idea to attend. I'm not a huge golf fan, but pay attention and appreciate the sport.
After looking into advice for how best to watch a golf tournament, we settled in the bleachers overlooking the 12th green and Lake Michigan (left).
The weekend in Wisconsin was hot and humid. So we took advantage of the cool breezes off the lake for some relief and a gorgeous view. Every golfer came right past us. The hole is a par 3 (the golfer should get the ball from the tee into the cup with 3 shots), so we could watch the tee shot and the work on the green up close.
We witnessed some incredible golf shots, talked to some interesting people around us, and tried to stay hydrated.
The PGA has rules against fans bringing cameras into the grounds and didn't allow cell phone cameras either. It was more difficult to enforce that rule, however, it seemed aimed at preventing noise during the golfers swing or preparation before the shot.
This whole "quiet, golfer at work" business is amusing to me. Basketball players are expected to make a free throw with crowds cheering and jeering at them. Football players have to deal with noise and possible bodily harm in the performance of their duties. Baseball players hit a thrown ball with a bat in a loud stadium.
Let's call it a tradition. The gallery around 12 hushed whenever the course marshall lifted their arms for quiet before a shot. It seemed to me as the day wore on, the crowd murmured a little more than earlier in the day, but no harm was done.
The Whistling Straits course is incredibly beautiful and looks more like a course in England than a Wisconsin field. It served as an airfield from 1949 to 1959. There are ridges, hills, dips, and valleys all over the grounds. It adds to the challenge of playing there and to the beauty for spectators.
As spectators, we knew less about what was happening than folks at home in front of their televisions. The PGA Golf App was a challenge for Matt to download for information on who was leading and how the scores were heading. It was a common problem also shared by those around us.
It was a step back in time as we waited for volunteers walking behind each twosome with a small sign and the current score in relation to par for each golfer. It was interesting and a feel for the old traditions.
In my limited experience as a player of a game not even closely resembling what I watched Saturday; I know my extremely limited ability would get me asked to leave a course like this one.
I think if an opportunity to attend a golf tournament comes up again, it might be fun to walk the course along with a group. Or go during a practice round when photos are allowed.
I never expected to attend a major golf tournament. I'm glad I did and will happily check it off my expanded bucket list.
Speaking of bucket lists, there's a new one in the family, Matt hopes someday to bring his clubs and play Whistling Straits.
My son invited me to join him at the 2015 Professional Golfers Association Championship for the first day of the third round. It was coming to Wisconsin for the second time to an acclaimed Whistling Straits course nestled along the state's east coast.
Just why was this now on my "bucket list?" Primarily because my oldest son invited me. Matt's taken up golf this year and become quite excited about playing and watching the game.
It's interesting since golf isn't a part of our family history. Golf, like hunting, curling, fishing, or bridge seem to be an activities you learn from your parents. Then it becomes a part of who you are and what makes you happy.
Leaving those introductions off the table makes it more difficult to get involved. Think how difficult it is to learn the rules and nuances of something completely new as an adult. Hey, think about the first job you had which required regular use of a computer! (Kids, this time period did exist... try Googling it.)
Yet, here we were - joining thousands of cars traveling toward the Major tournament in the middle of Wisconsin's rural countryside.
We found our way to the North parking lot - were waved into a place which had been pasture not long before - and boarded one of the dozen buses waiting to take us to the gate.I haven't found an attendance figure for Saturday yet, but judging by the throngs lining the course, I would guess in the neighborhood of 50,000. I think it's a very conservative guess.
There are four major golf tournaments each year, and the idea one of them is in America's Dairyland is pretty incredible. It seemed like a good idea to attend. I'm not a huge golf fan, but pay attention and appreciate the sport.
After looking into advice for how best to watch a golf tournament, we settled in the bleachers overlooking the 12th green and Lake Michigan (left).The weekend in Wisconsin was hot and humid. So we took advantage of the cool breezes off the lake for some relief and a gorgeous view. Every golfer came right past us. The hole is a par 3 (the golfer should get the ball from the tee into the cup with 3 shots), so we could watch the tee shot and the work on the green up close.
We witnessed some incredible golf shots, talked to some interesting people around us, and tried to stay hydrated.
The PGA has rules against fans bringing cameras into the grounds and didn't allow cell phone cameras either. It was more difficult to enforce that rule, however, it seemed aimed at preventing noise during the golfers swing or preparation before the shot.
This whole "quiet, golfer at work" business is amusing to me. Basketball players are expected to make a free throw with crowds cheering and jeering at them. Football players have to deal with noise and possible bodily harm in the performance of their duties. Baseball players hit a thrown ball with a bat in a loud stadium.
Let's call it a tradition. The gallery around 12 hushed whenever the course marshall lifted their arms for quiet before a shot. It seemed to me as the day wore on, the crowd murmured a little more than earlier in the day, but no harm was done.
The Whistling Straits course is incredibly beautiful and looks more like a course in England than a Wisconsin field. It served as an airfield from 1949 to 1959. There are ridges, hills, dips, and valleys all over the grounds. It adds to the challenge of playing there and to the beauty for spectators.
As spectators, we knew less about what was happening than folks at home in front of their televisions. The PGA Golf App was a challenge for Matt to download for information on who was leading and how the scores were heading. It was a common problem also shared by those around us.It was a step back in time as we waited for volunteers walking behind each twosome with a small sign and the current score in relation to par for each golfer. It was interesting and a feel for the old traditions.
In my limited experience as a player of a game not even closely resembling what I watched Saturday; I know my extremely limited ability would get me asked to leave a course like this one.
I think if an opportunity to attend a golf tournament comes up again, it might be fun to walk the course along with a group. Or go during a practice round when photos are allowed.
I never expected to attend a major golf tournament. I'm glad I did and will happily check it off my expanded bucket list.
Speaking of bucket lists, there's a new one in the family, Matt hopes someday to bring his clubs and play Whistling Straits.
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