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Any Egrizzers going to Chambers Bay?
- Thread starter George Ferguson
- Start date
I went down there for the Thursday round wearing my Griz hat and Griz hoodie and saw probably 10-12 Montana types. Heard several "GO GRIZ!" chants. I spoke to a few of them including folks from Kalispell, Big Timber, Missoula, Evaro. One guy yelled "Go Bobcats" and retorted "I HATE cats." I spent about 10 hours there and it was well worth it. Like most have heard, it is tough to follow any one group of players and you cant see many of the shots (due to the crazy elevation changes all over the place). Best strategy is to get a seat in one of the grandstands on 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, and 18 (18 has a capacity of 6K). That worked pretty well for Thursday but I noticed on TV Friday that the grandstand shots looked pretty packed. I don't envy anyone going today or Sunday. Not only will they get their cardio workout, but they will be lucky to sit in any grandstand. Views are awesome once you get seated. I actually had to "queue up" for #10. Great spot though seeing second shots come up a hill, through a narrow chute, and hoping to stay on the green instead of rolling off into several nasty bunkers or getting hung up in the fescue on the hilly sides. Shot numerous pics with my cellphone (gotta be discreet and sneaky sometimes.. 
. The merchandise pavilion was simply packed with stuff...probably over 100 types of hats alone. I took a bus from the State Fairgrounds parking lot in Puyallup---only way to go. Anyone trying to drive there is crazy. Beer prices a little less than M's games but limited to Bud Lights, Stellas, and some other non-descript variety. Food decent and and not real pricey. Plenty of potties. :lol:
On a side note, one Griz guy I spoke to (had a Griz hat on saying "Cat Hunter") and his buddy from Eugene said that Shoota has to pass three math exams before he is academically eligible at Oregon. Not sure what that was all about as they didn't seem to have any other details. Any egrizzers on to this story??
One last item....I was watching Tiger's group from the grandstand on 16 and a guy behind me saw my Griz stuff and said he used to live in Missoula and spent a fair amount of time in the Mo Club. Also played golf with Tinks at Larchmont and lives on the same golf course in Corvallis where WT does. As everyone knows, he couldn't say enough about how Tinks has embraced the Corvallis community and how they have done so in return. I also said that WT's replacement did pretty well for his first year at the helm. And to top it off, while I was visiting with him I received from and was texting with a fellow Griz bud in Great Falls who was watching the tourney on TV! Terrific Montana karma all day.
Well, that's the wrap. It will be interesting to see if any other egrizzers (havgriz?) have any posts of their experiences @ CB.
. The merchandise pavilion was simply packed with stuff...probably over 100 types of hats alone. I took a bus from the State Fairgrounds parking lot in Puyallup---only way to go. Anyone trying to drive there is crazy. Beer prices a little less than M's games but limited to Bud Lights, Stellas, and some other non-descript variety. Food decent and and not real pricey. Plenty of potties. :lol: On a side note, one Griz guy I spoke to (had a Griz hat on saying "Cat Hunter") and his buddy from Eugene said that Shoota has to pass three math exams before he is academically eligible at Oregon. Not sure what that was all about as they didn't seem to have any other details. Any egrizzers on to this story??
One last item....I was watching Tiger's group from the grandstand on 16 and a guy behind me saw my Griz stuff and said he used to live in Missoula and spent a fair amount of time in the Mo Club. Also played golf with Tinks at Larchmont and lives on the same golf course in Corvallis where WT does. As everyone knows, he couldn't say enough about how Tinks has embraced the Corvallis community and how they have done so in return. I also said that WT's replacement did pretty well for his first year at the helm.
And to top it off, while I was visiting with him I received from and was texting with a fellow Griz bud in Great Falls who was watching the tourney on TV! Terrific Montana karma all day.Well, that's the wrap. It will be interesting to see if any other egrizzers (havgriz?) have any posts of their experiences @ CB.
CDAGRIZ said:
I was thinking he was going for the "Beat Generation" thing, Ginsburg, Kerouac, Burroughs - a little Naked Lunch thing going on. Then I got to thinking, what if that wasn't the thing after all? What if he just got into some of that new stuff that caused that guy in Florida to try to have sex with a tree. Then I thought, f&@k that, golf is on and my margarita is getting warm, and CDA knows what's going on here.
But if you meant "I'm the golfer to beat in this forum", well, fine. Hopefully you're not into that stuff that guy in Florida go into, but if that's the case, fine.
As a golfer--a couple other observations. I wasn't thrilled with the lack of definition between where the fairways end and the greens begin. As one other poster mentioned, it is very difficult to get a good visual perspective not only from TV but on-site. I'm not a big fan of links-style courses anyway or even a modified links as is CB. And all the elevation changes and blind approaches are wicked. Still I would like to play it sometime and hope I had enough golf balls and patience to make it through! :lol: :lol:
CDAGRIZ said:
With you cda. I noticed that Friday as well. Their commentary setup is so hokey and the content of their remarks doesn't give you a lot of insight into how the players are doing. They went almost an hour into the show today before they even showed a leaderboard despite golfers playing. I do like their mobile drone shots and some of their audio effects picking up commentary. Their visuals are also of great quality---maybe anyone could do that though with the stellar day that is.
Give me Jim Nance/Nick Faldo...shoot even Gary McChord. :lol: :lol: These guys just don't cut it...though Norman isn't bad---at least he isn't Johnny Miller. Golf Channel guys gave MUCH better pre-tourney coverage and just blow away FOX's guys on the wrap-ups.
griz71 said:CDAGRIZ said:
With you cda. I noticed that Friday as well. Their commentary setup is so hokey and the content of their remarks doesn't give you a lot of insight into how the players are doing. They went almost an hour into the show today before they even showed a leaderboard despite golfers playing. I do like their mobile drone shots and some of their audio effects picking up commentary. Their visuals are also of great quality---maybe anyone could do that though with the stellar day that is.
Give me Jim Nance/Nick Faldo...shoot even Gary McChord. :lol: :lol: These guys just don't cut it...though Norman isn't bad---at least he isn't Johnny Miller. Golf Channel guys gave MUCH better pre-tourney coverage and just blow away FOX's guys on the wrap-ups.
Holly Sonders makes the "Fox" telecast, no pun intended! LOL. Im sure Dustin Johnson was eyeing up that morsel when she interviewed him!
Actually, I don't think the coverage is bad, its just different. We are all used to Nance and Faldo, so its just different and takes time to get used to. Just like NASCAR when they switch networks at mid season. Takes a few races to get used to.
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I actually like the change Fox brought to the broadcast.
Wayne and Tres Tinkle took in the tournament.
Wayne and Tres Tinkle took in the tournament.
Nice little gallery here:
http://www.golfwrx.com/23024/holly-sonders-photos-from-quail-hollow/
http://www.golfwrx.com/23024/holly-sonders-photos-from-quail-hollow/
griz71 said:I went down there for the Thursday round wearing my Griz hat and Griz hoodie and saw probably 10-12 Montana types. Heard several "GO GRIZ!" chants. I spoke to a few of them including folks from Kalispell, Big Timber, Missoula, Evaro. One guy yelled "Go Bobcats" and retorted "I HATE cats." I spent about 10 hours there and it was well worth it. Like most have heard, it is tough to follow any one group of players and you cant see many of the shots (due to the crazy elevation changes all over the place). Best strategy is to get a seat in one of the grandstands on 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, and 18 (18 has a capacity of 6K). That worked pretty well for Thursday but I noticed on TV Friday that the grandstand shots looked pretty packed. I don't envy anyone going today or Sunday. Not only will they get their cardio workout, but they will be lucky to sit in any grandstand. Views are awesome once you get seated. I actually had to "queue up" for #10. Great spot though seeing second shots come up a hill, through a narrow chute, and hoping to stay on the green instead of rolling off into several nasty bunkers or getting hung up in the fescue on the hilly sides. Shot numerous pics with my cellphone (gotta be discreet and sneaky sometimes..
On a side note, one Griz guy I spoke to (had a Griz hat on saying "Cat Hunter") and his buddy from Eugene said that Shoota has to pass three math exams before he is academically eligible at Oregon. Not sure what that was all about as they didn't seem to have any other details. Any egrizzers on to this story??
One last item....I was watching Tiger's group from the grandstand on 16 and a guy behind me saw my Griz stuff and said he used to live in Missoula and spent a fair amount of time in the Mo Club. Also played golf with Tinks at Larchmont and lives on the same golf course in Corvallis where WT does. As everyone knows, he couldn't say enough about how Tinks has embraced the Corvallis community and how they have done so in return. I also said that WT's replacement did pretty well for his first year at the helm.
Well, that's the wrap. It will be interesting to see if any other egrizzers (havgriz?) have any posts of their experiences @ CB.
Griz71, if you are staying in Puyallup make sure you hit Crocketts Public House for some fantastic grub.
George Ferguson
Well-known member
Guys, just back to my friend's apartment from round 3 here in Tacoma. A few tidbits from what i've seen and done so far.
Spent most of Wednesday at the course, wore a Griz polo and got more than 20 Go Griz shouts, and ran into a Bobcat fan in the Merch Building. Met people from Sidney, Miles City, Polson, Missoula and Billings on Wednesday. Also, local volunteer working the media center is a sophomore at UM, who is an asst. trainer for the football team. Talked for about a half hour about the coming season. Great kid. Thursday-Today, saw at least 20 different people wearing Griz gear so Montana is well repped out her. Also have talked to T.J. Oelkers several times out on the course.
As for the tournament, I don't have a lot of complaints other fans do. I have a media credential so the course has designated viewing areas for us and the views range from good to amazing. Walking is a bitch, but I knew that coming in because I have played Chambers before, but I think it's worse as a patron than it is for the players. The walks from hole to hole are extremely long, congested, and many are over gravel and the dunes, as Chambers doesn't have cart paths, but the running path does come into the configuration of the course so there is that. But it is brutal walking out there. For example, the fitbit says I walked 12.2 miles Thursday, 13.4 Friday and 11.2 today. And as people eluded to, that's without seeing the whole course as there just isn't access to go hole to hole following a specific group. An example of how big this property really is, it took me 21 minutes tonight to walk from the 15th green to the 18th green. It's just crazy. I do feel a little bad for the patrons though as the viewing is not what most of them probably dreamed of in going to their first major. It's funny, for all the bragging about how the courses was built to host the U.S. Open, it sure didn't take the patrons into enough consideration in my opinion. But, the restricted views is because of the dunes and elevation changes and that's a huge part of what makes Chambers so beautiful and so brutal to play.
As for how it's playing, I personally love it, and am sick and tired of hearing Sergio Garcia whine. Yes, the greens are bumpy because they are burnt and when fescu burns off, wild poa grows in its place. But this gripe of firm, fast, bumpy greens happens every year at the Open and the player's aren't happy with something at almost evbery USGA event. The course is playing up to U.S. Open standards in my opinion and in my opinion, Chambers is an amazing course and it's living up to it's billing for this tournament.
This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me thus far. Not only to be here, see the greatest golf tournament in the world, but to be covering it, for someone who has been covering 9C basketball and various Montana sports at the level (which I love and will continue to love doing by the way), getting a chance to be at this event and cover a sporting event of this magnitude, especially on a course I've actually played, well it doesn't get much better than for me. It's been a blast and Sunday is going to be a great day.
Spent most of Wednesday at the course, wore a Griz polo and got more than 20 Go Griz shouts, and ran into a Bobcat fan in the Merch Building. Met people from Sidney, Miles City, Polson, Missoula and Billings on Wednesday. Also, local volunteer working the media center is a sophomore at UM, who is an asst. trainer for the football team. Talked for about a half hour about the coming season. Great kid. Thursday-Today, saw at least 20 different people wearing Griz gear so Montana is well repped out her. Also have talked to T.J. Oelkers several times out on the course.
As for the tournament, I don't have a lot of complaints other fans do. I have a media credential so the course has designated viewing areas for us and the views range from good to amazing. Walking is a bitch, but I knew that coming in because I have played Chambers before, but I think it's worse as a patron than it is for the players. The walks from hole to hole are extremely long, congested, and many are over gravel and the dunes, as Chambers doesn't have cart paths, but the running path does come into the configuration of the course so there is that. But it is brutal walking out there. For example, the fitbit says I walked 12.2 miles Thursday, 13.4 Friday and 11.2 today. And as people eluded to, that's without seeing the whole course as there just isn't access to go hole to hole following a specific group. An example of how big this property really is, it took me 21 minutes tonight to walk from the 15th green to the 18th green. It's just crazy. I do feel a little bad for the patrons though as the viewing is not what most of them probably dreamed of in going to their first major. It's funny, for all the bragging about how the courses was built to host the U.S. Open, it sure didn't take the patrons into enough consideration in my opinion. But, the restricted views is because of the dunes and elevation changes and that's a huge part of what makes Chambers so beautiful and so brutal to play.
As for how it's playing, I personally love it, and am sick and tired of hearing Sergio Garcia whine. Yes, the greens are bumpy because they are burnt and when fescu burns off, wild poa grows in its place. But this gripe of firm, fast, bumpy greens happens every year at the Open and the player's aren't happy with something at almost evbery USGA event. The course is playing up to U.S. Open standards in my opinion and in my opinion, Chambers is an amazing course and it's living up to it's billing for this tournament.
This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me thus far. Not only to be here, see the greatest golf tournament in the world, but to be covering it, for someone who has been covering 9C basketball and various Montana sports at the level (which I love and will continue to love doing by the way), getting a chance to be at this event and cover a sporting event of this magnitude, especially on a course I've actually played, well it doesn't get much better than for me. It's been a blast and Sunday is going to be a great day.
Grisly Fan
Well-known member
I chuckle at people who complain that Chambers Bay is not traditional for the US Open. It is true that is has never before been played on a "links style" course but of course that is the original game of golf. I have played Bandon a few times and it is tough to get used to but Golf is a dynamic game, even with no changes to the course, it will play differently day to day, morning to evening. You can't sit back and expect it that comes to you. You have to go and get it, whatever it is. That many players are right around par is a testament that Chambers Bay is meeting the main goal of the US Open. I understand people have preferences but the pros have an excellent stage upon which to show who's the best. If I had a chance a winning $1M+ for playing a game I love the last thing you'd hear would be me complaining.
BDizzle said:
Drizzle.. we need to play a round this summer. Sooner than later.
IdaGriz01
Well-known member
Typical USGA Open setup. Make every shot a crap-shoot ... where even pretty good to great shots get punished if they're not absolutely perfect. Course looked like s**t on TV, especially the (not) greens. Even well-stroked putts look like they're on a pin-ball machine. There at the end, I would have loved to see Johnson make an Eagle to pull out a win, or at least a Bird to force a playoff. He made what looked to be pretty good putts, and neither dropped because reading the surface had nothing to do with skill ... it's whether you get lucky or unlucky.
And, from what I could see, if you want to move around as a spectator, it would probably be better to be out there in an ATV (not likely :lol: ).
I've played some pretty good courses ... up to and including Pebble Beach, and they are tough but fair. That is, they reward good shots and punish bad shots. They don't dump you into total, hopeless crap for a pretty good but not perfect shot. Publicity-wise, I'd say hosting the Open was a disaster for Chambers Bay -- no way I'd pay a dime to go play there.
And, from what I could see, if you want to move around as a spectator, it would probably be better to be out there in an ATV (not likely :lol: ).
I've played some pretty good courses ... up to and including Pebble Beach, and they are tough but fair. That is, they reward good shots and punish bad shots. They don't dump you into total, hopeless crap for a pretty good but not perfect shot. Publicity-wise, I'd say hosting the Open was a disaster for Chambers Bay -- no way I'd pay a dime to go play there.
IdaGriz01
Well-known member
Totally agree that Chambers Bay is absolutely "traditional" for a US Open. It is ... if you accept that the USGA wants to put those PGA golfers in there place. Winning the US Open has always been as much about luck as it is about skill. The USGA always sets up whatever course they use to absolutely destroy anything less than a perfect shot. Sometimes, even with an almost perfect shot, one random piece of divot can deflect your ball into an essentially unplayable position. I know, it's called "the rub of the green," but when every shot depends almost as much on luck as it does on skill ... what's the point?Grisly Fan said:
IdaGriz01 said:
I'd rather watch that than the all-too common tour event where the players go 3 wood/wedge/5 footer on every hole, and the winner posts a 22 under.
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