Golf

[Kim]

Bubba was asking about tropicals at the US Open in Torrey Pines. I went to the practice rounds yesterday, and can confirm there is nary a palm to be seen. The only tropicals are potted plants in the hospitality areas:

A pair of lithe queens:

Some youthful washingtonia:

A nice succulent arrangement for those who like 'em:

But most of the scene is grass and the endemic Torrey Pines, with the occasional eucalyptus:

[Kim]

Golf. Yes, well, I am the person least equipped to post about golf. So I looked for crowds. The nice thing about going to the practice rounds, is you can see the players without a periscope. You can wander into the grandstands and marvel at Justin Rose's swing to your heart's content. Or Brandt Snedeker, D.J. Brigman, or whoever you happen to admire. Since it's not at all crowded, if you do see a crowd, you can figure somebody special is there.

So this is the first guy I photographed:

Hey, there's Bubba! Oh, different Bubba...

[Kim]

Camilo Villegas has style:

Hey, let's play "Guess the Golfer":

If you know their names, you get a gold star!

[Kim]

This gentleman with a notable accent won "The Open" twice, I'm told:

And this gentleman won the US Open twice, I'm told -- and I learned The Open and the US Open are not the same thing.

[Kim]

It was a very pleasant way to spend a day, and there is a very positive vibe in the air. Golf fans are a very civilized lot, well mannered and polite, quietly passionate about golf.

The logistics of putting this all together must be absolutely staggering, what with three hospitality villages, a media village, the grandstands, concessions, restrooms and parking. There is a LOT going on behind the scenes. But you can feel the excitement building and the money flowing into the San Diego economy, so it looks like it will be a successful event.

I did not see Tiger or Phil. Tiger teed off at 7am and was gone before I arrived, and I can't tell you what Phil's dad told us when we saw him in the merchandise tent -- someone would have to kill me.

The biggest tent is reserved for the merchandise -- LOTS of golf stuff in there, over 600,000 items.

This is the new Lexus hybrid which was on display (Lexus being a sponsor). Doesn't use much gas, but you have to spend $120,000 to get it:

Cheers!

[BS Man about Palms]

Closest I've come to any Golf related interest was several years ago, just as a big Golf event was happening locally, I worked at Phil Mickelson's and David Duval's houses to repair broken HVAC equipment...... on the same day (Nope, neither one was home)

Bill

[bubba]

What a marvelous Post.Particularly for a non-golfer,you captured some tremendous players and I am glad you enjoyed the feel of a truly incredible event.Torrey Pines,as a seasider,needs no palms whatsoever to do it's thing The South Course has been renovated and it promises to be one of the best ever!My personal favorite for this Tournament is "local boy done good"Phil Michelson.

First shot-VJ Singh,one of the best,an incredible work-out artist,who is one of the best ball strikers in the game.When he putts,lights out.

(2)-Bubba Watson from Bagdad,Florida-my cousin

(3)-Camilo Villegas-Great young man,who happens to be a Gator,by way of Medijen,Colombia.His brother,Manuel,is on Florida's team and just finished the NCAA.

(4)Todd Hamilton-beat Ernie Els in a playoff to win the British Open.

(5)Justin Rose?

(6)Shingo Kalayama?

(7)Padraig Harrington-A serious threat.His First cousin is none other than NFL Quarterback,Joey Harrington,who plays for the Falcons.Irish twins?

(8)Sergio Garcia-Either you are pulling my leg or he was pulling yours! He just won the Player's Championship but no Opens of any kind yet for him.He also could be a serious threat.His ball striking is impecable but his putter gets him in trouble.He is on it,however.

Thank you again for a super post and you should enjoy watching a great event in your hometown!

[Kim]

(8)Sergio Garcia-Either you are pulling my leg or he was pulling yours! He just won the Player's Championship but no Opens of any kind yet for him.He also could be a serious threat.His ball striking is impecable but his putter gets him in trouble.He is on it,however.

Thank you again for a super post and you should enjoy watching a great event in your hometown!

Excuse my faulty memory -- my guests, all avid golfers, were kind enough to point out players to me and give me some backstory, but I didn't take any notes. Glad you enjoyed the photos; I wasn't planning to take my camera until I saw your question about the course.

[bubba]

Best Post I have seen in a long time and I appologize if I am an Arse.

[gsn]

Bubba,

The last two pics are NOT Sergio Garcia.

I beleive the young man is from South Africa,Trevor Immleman

And he is not an Open winner,but he does have a major to his credit,the 2008 Masters!

Edited June 11, 2008 by gsn

[gsn]

Kim,

The confusion might have come ,because another South African ,Retief Goosen does have 2 US Open wins to his credit.

Great pics by the way. That is the time to go see them durning the practice rounds,up close and personal.

[bubba]

Scott,You may well be correct.That definitely looks like Surge's downswing but I understand they are all cloned at a factory West of Bejing.