The U.S. Open at Pinehurst

My dad loved to play golf, he set aside a weekend with his golfing buddies yearly, and he loved to watch golf. Many times he ate his Sunday dinner on the couch watching the end of a tournament or we watched someone win on our little black and white tv in the kitchen. And I thought it was one big snoozefest! Whispering announcers, quiet crowds and not much action.

The 18th green

Then two years ago I was able to attend the PGA Honda Classic Golf Tournament in West Palm Beach, Florida thanks to the generosity of my uncle, who has volunteered there for years. My cousin, who has also attended for years, took my sister and I and showed us the ropes. And y'all. Wow. I had no idea. Most of the crowds were younger than us. No whispering announcers. Lots of rowdiness.It was fun! And you get to be outside all day.(If you look closely at the video of Tiger Woods leaving the tournament you can spot my sister's shoe, her claim to fame - we were right next to his family)

That's 21 year old boy wonder Jordan Spieth, recent Masters and US Open Champion, signing autographs.

The crowd clamoring for autographs

So when Mr. UR scored us tickets to the practice round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, North Carolina last year, I was ready to go. We parked and took the air- conditioned shuttle bus to the golf course. While we were on the shuttle bus we heard that Phil Mickelson was just finishing up so we hightailed it for the 18th green and were just able to catch him and Rickie Fowler ( look at me learning all the golfers names. My dad would be so proud.) The crowds cleared out and we headed on to meet Mr. UR's brother and sit in the shade for a bit. Cause it was hot with a capital H. About 97 in the shade.

Phil Mickelson

Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson on the 18th green

We watched some of the golf from the stands and then went to one of the air-conditioned food tents where we had a snack. Then some more golf which was finishing up for the day. So we shopped and watched the practice tee and driving range.

They have tents run by the sponsors of the golf tournament that you can visit. Cars to look at, check your golf swing, get your photo taken and that sort of thing. And of course, you can purchase all kinds of U.S. Open merchandise - from hats and shirts to teddy bears and drinking glasses.

The clubhouse

We weren't allowed in the clubhouse as we aren't members and the crowds were a little more refined and less rowdy than the Honda Classic, but it was still fun. One of the things I really like about watching golf in person is that you can get closer-than-this to the golfers. If you buy a ticket to most sporting events, you pay an arm and a leg to sit really close. But at golf tournaments, you pay the same price and can sit or stand as close as is allowed. And best of all, we didn't melt.




Have you ever been to a golf tournament before?

I'm linking up at Travel Photo Thursday at A Budget Travelers Sandbox,Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Friday Postcards at Walking On Travels so please go check out their website for some travel inspiration!