Friday I took off work and got to do something I've been looking forward to doing for a long time. For many years, my dad has wanted me to be able to go with him to the Houston Shell Open and this weekend I was finally able to go thanks to our good friends Gary & Patti Brooks.
For half of the morning , we stood on the fringe of the 18th green and watched as group after group hit their approach shots onto the 18th green. As they came to the green, we were literally just yards away from some of the best golfers in the world. The highlight of the morning was getting to watch Phil Mickelson and his entourage that followed. As he got up to the green, the crowd that had been following him around for the previous 9 holes followed him to the green. However, because we had already been staked out there, we were in the front of that crowd as he stepped over his ball and began to put. While it was only Friday morning of the Houston Shell Open, it kind of felt like we were in Augusta, Georgia on the 18th green of the Masters on a Sunday afternoon. Mickelson missed his putt for par and settled for a bogy.
Later, after enjoying lunch in the Champions Pavilion, we set out to the 10th tee to watch one of the great long drivers of all time, John Daly, tee off his afternoon round. He can still hit em off the tee like no one else as evidence by him driving the green on a short par 4, but his game has far deteriorated from when he once won the British Open. We decided to follow Daly for several holes though and marvel at the power in which he hit a ball. They all made it look so easy that for a moment, you believe you could actually be out there hitting balls with them.
I really enjoyed my first PGA golf tournament and have Gary & Patti to thank for that. I also really enjoyed spending the time with good friends and especially my dad. Also, as dad pointed out, I really look forward to someday taking my own son to a tournament such as this one. It was a great day that I will remember for a long time.
For half of the morning , we stood on the fringe of the 18th green and watched as group after group hit their approach shots onto the 18th green. As they came to the green, we were literally just yards away from some of the best golfers in the world. The highlight of the morning was getting to watch Phil Mickelson and his entourage that followed. As he got up to the green, the crowd that had been following him around for the previous 9 holes followed him to the green. However, because we had already been staked out there, we were in the front of that crowd as he stepped over his ball and began to put. While it was only Friday morning of the Houston Shell Open, it kind of felt like we were in Augusta, Georgia on the 18th green of the Masters on a Sunday afternoon. Mickelson missed his putt for par and settled for a bogy.
Later, after enjoying lunch in the Champions Pavilion, we set out to the 10th tee to watch one of the great long drivers of all time, John Daly, tee off his afternoon round. He can still hit em off the tee like no one else as evidence by him driving the green on a short par 4, but his game has far deteriorated from when he once won the British Open. We decided to follow Daly for several holes though and marvel at the power in which he hit a ball. They all made it look so easy that for a moment, you believe you could actually be out there hitting balls with them.
I really enjoyed my first PGA golf tournament and have Gary & Patti to thank for that. I also really enjoyed spending the time with good friends and especially my dad. Also, as dad pointed out, I really look forward to someday taking my own son to a tournament such as this one. It was a great day that I will remember for a long time.
