As I said in my blog about the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers a few days ago, it’s the best spectator experience a golf fan could want. You get close and there are few galleries. Find the one nearest you at U.S. Open and go to it.

A few years ago, I was covering one at Brookside Golf and Country Club in the Columbus suburb of Worthington, Ohio. As is always the case, there was a playoff among several players tied for the last few spots. One was the always entertaining Fulton Allem. The South African was in form that day, playing well and making the playoff. There was one particular girl who followed him around for 36 holes wearing an outfit that I’m sure made it difficult for his playing partners to concentrate. It was a real life version of Lacy Underalls at the Bushwood Country Club pool.

Anyway, Fulty misplayed the second playoff hole and ended up with an alternate spot. I’ve never seen a Tour pro do more damage to his golf bag than Allem did that day. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t usable afterward. The reporters there gave him a wide berth after the tournament was finished.

It’s little gems like this you’ll see. I’ve watched Phil Mickelson battling for a spot in a playoff taking place in the dark. I’ve watched Greg Norman in a playoff group with local college kids, grinding away for a spot - and he was at the time one of the world’s best players.
Go this year and who knows what you’ll see.

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