« Previous | Main

Par for the Course

July 30, 2008 2:53 PM

SOUTHPORT, England

Some random thoughts on covering my first golf event,  as I sit in an airport terminal, polishing off one final helping of fish and chips….

Leave it to a woman to descend upon one of the biggest events in men's professional golf and wreak havoc.  That is precisely what happened here along the northern coast of England this past weekend during the British Open, when Mother Nature swept in with a vengeance, and battered everyone and everything in her path with cold rain and gusty winds.  But apparently this wild weather is part of the Open's allure. The fight to score below par is just as daunting as the battle against the elements. The winds were so strong, that at one point I subconsciously reverted back to my days covering hurricanes for "Good Morning America," and actually started stockpiling provisions, should we need to hunker down….

Allow me to get in touch with my inner-female and talk fashion for just a moment. Watching the players compete along the course is fun. But watching the fans who attend the event is fascinating. Why? Because it’s like witnessing the grown-up version of playing “dress-up.”  Of the 200, 000 individuals who attended the event, my un-scientific estimate was that the majority [of men, at least] came out in full uniform…..from their crisp, white golf spikes and pressed, pleated pants, Cutter & Buck vests blanketed over their Ashworth shirts. Think about it for a second. This is the equivalent of showing up at Fenway Park dressed in full-uniform, or attending a hockey game with a helmet, pads, and skates.  But who knows, maybe there’s a reason for this? Should Phil Mickelson choke on the16th hole, perhaps he could call for a sub like they do in football and soccer, to take his place and finish off the round? 

I was skeptical at first, but after the Open was all said and done, it turned out that Tiger-less golf can be just as exciting as when the big kahuna himself is playing. You couldn’t have scripted it any better than this. In one corner, we had 53-year old golfing great, multi-millionaire Greg Norman…an imposing figure with steel blue eyes. Known for his “stare,” “The Shark” married his former best friend’s ex-wife, all-American tennis superstar Chris Evert three weeks prior to the event. He was battling head-to-head against last year’s winner Padraig Harrington, a skinny, humble Irishman….the loveable family-man, and fan favorite especially in this part of the word…who’s high-pitched voice reminded me of the Lucky Charms leprechaun. It was like Darth Vader vs Luke Skywalker. The Yankees vs the Marlins. Or better yet, the Laker(s) vs the Celtic(s). And this event ended much the same as the NBA Finals did…with the Celtic(s) on top.

July 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0)

User Comments

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: