As Chubbs Peterson, the loveable, high-spirited club pro
from
”
Happy Gilmore
”
once said,
”
Isn’t this great? Blue skies, fresh-cut grass, birds
chirping.
”
As Chubbs Peterson, the loveable, high-spirited club pro from “Happy Gilmore” once said, “Isn’t this great? Blue skies, fresh-cut grass, birds chirping.”
It’s a phrase from a silly movie, but it’s so true. A golf course under the morning sunlight is a spectacular sight. And when it’s a local course speckled with some of the PGA Tour’s best in town for a tournament to be broadcast on the Golf Channel – the luminescence is even brighter.
The Frys.com Open returns to CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin this week. The pros have arrived and are preparing for Thursday’s first round as you read this.
I have written before about how much I enjoy golf and the sport’s ability to conjure up the awkward combination of soothing delightfulness and mind-numbing frustration.
This year’s field is stacked – 10 former Major winners – and scores should be low. Rocco Mediate, the tournament’s defending champion and fan favorite anywhere he goes, had an eagle in each of his rounds in 2010 and finished 15-under-par. His eagle from the fairway at No. 17, which eventually lifted him to the tournament title, ignited a thunderous roar from a gallery that braved an all-day rain to catch the magical finish. The moment gave me chills – unrelated to the weather.
Eleven other golfers also finished 10-under or better last year, which made for a dramatic Sunday I still talk with people about when I get the chance.
I had the privilege of playing CordeValle prior to the 2010 tournament, so seeing the pros tear up a course that gave me fits was inspiring – and a bit comical as well as par 5s that took me three, OK, four shots in some cases, to reach the green. These guys did in two strokes.
Last year I ventured out of the media center during Sunday’s rain-soaked final round and was awed by the strength these professionals exhibited off the tee. The sound of the club head bearing down on the golf ball and then the “ping” upon impact – whoa.
I spoke with a gentleman during the final round, and he shared my same sentiments – watching what these guys can do – club control, judging the elements, fades, draws, lob-shots et cetera – is incredible and powerful.
Mediate hit up Westside Grill after each of his first three rounds last year. He wasn’t the only golfer frequenting our area eateries, and he won’t be again.
The tournament is organized in a way that caters to the fans’ experience. Yes, Tiger Woods among the 132-player field will mean tight security, but the event will still hold true to its fans-first mantra.
The experience is worth the $35 admission price, and one to be cherished if you’re a child, a child at heart or a die-hard golf enthusiast. When someone asks you, “Where were you when Tiger Woods won the 2011 Frys.com Open?” Wouldn’t you want to answer back, “In the gallery behind the 18th green”?
See you there.
INFO:
Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, defending champ Rocco Mediate, Justin Leonard, Angel Cabrera, Paul Casey, Trevor Immelman, Steve Elkington, David Duval and more will be strutting along the links of CordeValle in San Martin for the 2011 Frys.com Open. Will you be there, too? The first round is Thursday.
The price is right: $35 per ticket Wednesday through Friday and $45 on Saturday and Sunday.
As far as the eyes can see: With a 15,000 paid-attendee limit on each day, the views of the course and the pros will be favorable no matter which round you choose. Meander every-which way. Just stay outside the ropes.
A couple recommendations: Find your seat on the short, drivable par-17th and wait for the birdies to drop. When they do, it’s discounted beers.
That not of interest? A spot along the 18th fairway, the tee box at No. 10, or behind the green at No. 9, are all prime locations.
Tee times: Friday and Saturday first group tees off at 7:10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Shuttle service: Starting at 6:30 a.m., shuttles will run from each parking location to the main enterance of the tournament to Clos LaChance Winery.
Stay current: Sports editors of the Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times and Hollister Free Lance, will bring you the up-to-the-minute tidbits you crave. Visit gilroydispatch.com throughout the weekend for round-by-round coverage. Follow Josh Weaver @theWeaveGilroy, Scott J. Adams @SJAdamsMHT and Connor Ramey @hollistersports on Twitter.
This week’s San Benito Score:
