COMMUNITY

HAVE FUN! I WOULD FOLLOW TIGER! AND RANT TIGER! TIGER! TIGER!

Wear sunscreen. Lots.

I'm a walker and love following guys I really like or the lead group on the weekend. If you have the energy, I'd suggest doing that. You'll get to see more shots, get to see more of the course and you'll likely see guys pulling off stuff you won't believe at first.

While you're walking, be on the lookout for good spots to stop (preferably in the shade). Not every set of bleachers fills up. Often you can find little grassy knolls around greens where people don't congregate.

And at least once, get as close as you can to a par-3 tee box and listen to the sound those guys make at impact. It's ridiculous how well they strike the ball.

I learned from watching the second half of Day 2 at this year's Senior PGA to walk the course backwards. Start on 18 green and walk all the way back to the 1st tee. You'll see many more players and get a good workout while you're at it. And a place to stay at is good too, I was around 18 green for a while, but the problem is that you always seem to be waiting for the next group or shot. When walking the course backwards it's almost always a quicker way to watch the event and a better chance to see more players.

I've heard others speak of this. I haven't tried it myself, but it makes perfect sense. I'll try it next year.

The other thing you might do is look for confluences where three or four holes converge in a way that makes it easy to see action on all of them. There's a spot on the back nine at Colonial where you can stand in one spot and see action on four different holes. Whistling Straits might not have one of those, but if it does, it might be a good stopping point when you need a break.

Were you actually there at the Sahalee ?
I had the praking permit so I did not have to be bused from Marymoore Park.

If you are walking around the course and want to see one of the top drawing players, such as Phil or Tiger, consider parking yourself someplace you like a hole or two in front of them and wait for them to play the hole. There is usually a circus following those two for their entire rounds. You won't see all their shots, but you'll get a much better view of the shots you do see.

If you are going to find a spot to sit......look for a Hole with a hill and some shade preferably a hole that is near a PAR 3.....You may be able to watch both holes....and oh yea...drink lots of beer

Not the Senior US Open, Senior PGA at Colorado Golf Club earlier this year won by Tom Lehman.

I've found that a good method for the first day at the course is to get there early, as you said, and walk the entire course looking for the best place to place a folding chair. Place your chairs at the chosen vantage point, hopefully somewhere you can see action on the green and tee shots as well, like the fourteenth tee at Augusta National. Once you've placed your chairs (no one will move them) go back to #1 tee and watch groups come though until someone you would like to follow comes up. You can then follow this group until they get to where your chairs are placed, at which time you can sit and watch the remainder of the field come through and get some much needed rest, then follow the last group in. Use your observations during the first day to determine if the chosen parking spot for your chairs was the best, or if you should place them differently on Saturday and Sunday. If possible, try to place them so that you will be in the shade when you come back to them. I can't overstate how much nicer this will make the spectating. Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the advice!! very helpful stuff.

Now we just need to decide if we want to bring the folding sports chairs or the walking stick / cane contraptions.

Decisions, decisions....

Thanks again!!

I went to the 2000 Buick Open at Warwick Hills. I got there early and watched a few guys on the range. That's actually the most memorable thing. Watching guys continually hit their driver dead straight, it's pretty impressive. We walked around mostly, seeing the whole course and different players. Tried to watch Tiger but it was difficult because people were 10 deep around each green Tiger played. We ended up following the leaders. Chris Perry & Rocco. Very few were around the leaders so I had a clear view. If I were you I would walk around a bit and see as much of the course as you can.

I have been to several great events in the past few years, US Open Oakmont 2007, US Open Bethpage 2009, Barclays playoff Liberty National 2009 and the LPGA Shoprite Classic this year and I have learned more about going to these events each time. Bring the right stuff with you. Sunblock, folding chair with a shoulder strap, change of socks, sunglasses, drawstring backpack, bug spray, folding umbrella, some kind of contraband snacks you can smuggle in your pockets (sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, etc) Get there early to beat the crowd. When you get there get tee time info and buy several bottles of water, you will thank yourself later. Check out the driving range (always a treat) and the practice green. Then I would walk the entire course with the early groups keeping an eye open for a spot to hang out later in the day, a nice par 3 or a drivable par 4. Now you can sit in the spot you picked and watch the afternoon groups go through. Be ready for a long day and have fun.

Don't forget a large wheelbarrow to carry all that stuff around.

Check the official website before you go, as to what items you can and cannot bring in with you.

I'm not sure about some items, like cameras and cell phones. Good to have a list of everything before you park your vehicle.