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8/29/08 George's Blog about the U.S. Public Links

Championship in Aurora, Colorado
(pictures posted below!)

     Major championships are truly special. There is nothing that parallels the excitement, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit in the atmosphere. Without a doubt, the big events are more fun! And, there is no doubt everything is ramped up a notch! The course is at its toughest to test the skills of the best. And, there is no substitute for experience and preparation. For those who are short in either area are exposed and subject to humiliation. The USGA takes pride in making sure their champions are in top form!

     Unless I come up with a better approach and mindset, my days of “Daddy Caddying” are numbered. Wow, what stress! I have played in these events, and it was nowhere near as taxing. The caddie has a big role, and the player with the caddie form a team. Children seem to have a special sense of what the parents are feeling, and there is no doubt I was working harder at covering my nervousness than doing my job as caddie! I have learned over the years to handle being a spectator and quite enjoy the role. To have more available adrenaline and nervous energy as a caddie than ever as a player is strange to negotiate.

     Thank goodness my player was solid, had plenty of experience, and this week was on his game! What thrilled me most was how much fun he had in the event and how he studied the course during the practice rounds. He managed his time and schedule like a seasoned professional. He had a definite plan, and he stuck to it. Most react to the event and allow other players, activities, dinners, etc., to dictate or influence their schedules. Most underestimate the value of rest and nutrition, but Wesley did great.

     The altitude with no humidity was quite an adjustment, and I was just barely becoming comfortable when it was time to leave. I now fully understand why world class athletes allow several weeks to acclimatize. Oxygen levels are considerably lower at altitudes over 5,000 feet so the body, specifically the heart and lungs, have to work harder under extremely dry and sometimes very hot conditions. The amount of water required is amazing, and the weird part is you do not sweat or feel thirsty!

     One of the most enjoyable aspects of these events was to see all of the great players and personalities. These are the best amateurs in the country and world, so watching them practice, prepare, and compete are special.

     Billy Horschel and Derek Fathauer are two great young players I know, and with whom I enjoyed conversation, a meal, or both. I have watched them both play over the last couple of years, and they are really good. Horschel is a Walker Cup hero and All-American. And Fathauer, along with being an All-American, made the cut in the U.S. Open and got some air time.

     I have watched Ricky Fowler, the number one ranked amateur in the country, for a couple of years play but did not meet him until this event. Fowler also made the cut in the U.S. Open.

     As great as these players are, they all were eliminated by the third round. Even the stroke play medalist and number one seed Aaron Goldberg, an All-American from San Diego State, got beat in the first round!

     Match play can be brutal!

     Another great story for me was running into a young man named Austin Love from Anderson , California . I met him two years ago at the U.S. Junior in San Diego . This is a special kid who does not play in 30 big events a year traveling the country to hone his skills. He works 30 hours a week and targets a few big tournaments a year in which to compete. Even after playing in the U.S. Junior, he was not offered a scholarship so he entered Chico State with hopes of walking on the golf team. An 8-birdie performance and a score of 67 were not good enough to make this team. I had not even heard of Chico State so it is highly unlikely that the Chico State golf coach is heading for the Hall of Fame!

     While Austin was at this event (U.S. Amateur Public Links), Long Beach State offered him a spot but no money his first year, which is crazy, but this kind of stuff happens in golf. Watch out for this young man in the future, because he has talent, enthusiasm, passion, and maybe an “ax to grind!”

     Wesley played a practice round with an Irishman, who for me, could have been the story of the week! Last year, Gerard Connolly, who is from the southwestern coast of Ireland near Shannon , qualified for his first U.S. Amateur Public Links and first ever major championship. Since he did not start golf until he was 18, this 37-year-old was so excited about his opportunity he asked his wife, within a few hours of the arrival of his first child (named Phillip), if he could leave for the airport! Amazingly, Martina granted the request because it was a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

     This wonderful family of three, led by “Sir Phillip” now one year old this week, was the life of the Championship for me – all smiles, very friendly with the best stories, and lovely accents. They were all over the course and Crown Plaza , and nobody enjoyed the trip more than the Connolly family!

     Gerard plays maybe once a week at Beth Page in New York and still figured out how to get into two of these championships. If it was not for a couple of putts, he would have made match play!

     Wesley had a great pairing in the stroke play qualifier. Michael Brown from Cheltenham , Pennsylvania , a former professional who regained his amateur status and now owns a bakery, stumbled a bit on the last two holes to barely miss match play. He handled his finish with dignity as Greg Norman did at the British Open.

     Lucas Lee is one of the best amateurs in the country. He attends UCLA and is part of that National Championship Team. He is a small guy, a lightweight that flat pounds on the ball, and he can putt. He is a short game magician and fun to watch.

     Speaking of lightweights and small guys, Ricky Fowler is tiny and one of the longest hitters! We played behind him in the third round, and the spotter pointed to where his drive on number 3 ended up – some 400 yards plus from the tee!

     Wesley elevated his game a notch, and for the week played some of the best golf I have ever seen him play. He got some terrible bounces, more than his share, to go along with some of the worst lies imaginable in perfect fairways. Almost every lie in the rough was bad to awful, and he had numerous lip outs.

     His even par 142 tied for 20th in the stroke play. His first match was a little sloppy against Brad Nicholson from A-Z, but he chipped in on 16, then hit a 250-yard Hybrid to 10 feet on 17 to win the match. Incidentally, Wesley has made the cut in each of his major championships, and in this event went the farthest to date!

     His second match was against Kevin Foley, who plays at Penn State , and Wesley shot four under to advance.

     He drew John Chin from Temecula , California , in the round of 16. What’s great about this is John lived in Columbia when he was 9, 10, and 11 years old and was in our junior programs. I taught him when he was a pup! His smile is just as wide now as then, and he has a special passion for the game. He works out, swings great, hits it extremely long, and has a magical short game. And, he plays fast!

     Wesley played well as did John, but Wesley did not capitalize on his opportunities on Numbers 8 and 9, and John closed strong – extremely strong.

     I love my son and do not like to see him get beat, but I truly admire great golf. John hit it longer, straighter, closer, wedged it great, and putted great. Unfortunately, he lost in the finals, and I was truly pulling for him to earn The Masters Invite!

     John is in the U.S. Amateur by virtue of his finish in this event, and I can assure you he can win on Pinehurst No. 2. He has another shot at Augusta!