Sunday Highlights
Matt Kucher said it best, while walking off the 8th green during a practice round with Gary Woodland: “It sure is peaceful out here without fans”. Sure, golf isn’t meant to be played competitively without at least a handful of fans watching. There is something romantic about the scenes in the film The Greatest Game Ever Played. The buzz and excitement. It was also intimate. No beer vendors, merch tents, TV camera towers. It was golf the old way. Nowadays, it is near impossible to experience the highest level of competitive golf at an intimate level.
Until Covid happened. It has unfortunately ravaged the world and all the people on it. But it has led to two of the most unique, once-in-a-lifetime golf moments. The first being the U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes. Only a handful of course employees and USGA staff were on hand to watch the final pair duel it out to the 36th hole. And the U.S. Open at Winged Foot?! What a bizarre, yet beautiful moment it was. The volunteer crew was made up entirely of WF members. The WF grounds-crew and staff worked the course. A handful of vendors to support the tournament staff. NBC had a paired down team for the broadcast. And USGA team was there to host the event. It surely wasn’t how it was supposed to be. But it was certainly how it was meant to be. Yes, golf needs fans. No, golf doesn’t need hoopla. Just golf. On an incredible track. With some nasty rough, fast greens, old trees, blue skies, fans peering over the fence (Rick Patino). It was a good, good week.
On assignment for the United States Golf Association.
