Conference 7.286::golf

856.0. "Phoenix Open Impressions" by PNO::LATHAM () Mon Jan 29 1990 08:57

    
    I was fortunate to get a pass to the Phoenix Open so I took advantage
    of it on Saturday.  I hadn't seen a pro play since WWII when Byron
    Nelson and Harold (Jug) McSpadden played an exhibition at Winchester
    Country Club to raise money for war bonds.  (This gives away my age.)
    
    I was out there before sunup and walking past a security guard I asked
    him what green we standing next to.  It was a fairway.  I've putted on
    worse surfaces before.  
    
    At the driving range I was impressed by the consistency with which
    these guys can hit their shots.  One right after the other to the same
    spot.
    
    I had been told that the TPC was a great place to watch golf as there
    was no problem seeing everything going on.  How true.  I started out
    standing on a hill watching tee shots off the 1st tee and could turn
    around and watch approaches to the 2nd green.
    
    There were 109,000 at the course Saturday and nowhere was it so crowded
    that you couldn't see some action, even on the 9th and 18th green.  I
    sat at the 9th green for over an hour and watched the leaders come
    through.  Amazing exhibition.  The pin was tucked into the right corner
    and it was a long iron into the green and many of these guys were
    nailing it to the stick.  3 birdies from one group, 2 no-brainers and 
    Armour had a six footer.
    
    Sandy Lyle made two shots that showed why these guys are always up
    there.  He hooked almost into the 1st fairway from #2 and from the
    desert nearly was on the green. Made par.  On #9, he hit the green
    from the long rough and put a 40 footer a foot from the cup.  Made par.
    
    Payne Stewart was as colorful as ever.  Maroon and white were the days
    colors.
    
    $5 for a cheeseburger and Pepsi but I was hungry.
    
    Crowd control was great. Crowds were considerate of each other and the
    golfers.
    
    The stadium course concept is great and leaves me wondering how much a
    person can see at one of the older courses with a traditional design.
    
    If anyone is out here the end of January in the future and has a chance
    to see the Open it is a can't miss.
    
    Maybe next year I'll have to get down to Tucson and see the pros again.
    
    Regards 
    Harold
    

    I had a chance to go to the Open on Friday. What a beautiful course!!!
    There wasn't a bad seat in the house to see any of the holes. I
    followed Mark Calcavechia (sp) for 12 holes. This was my first
    experience at viewing the pros up close. I was impressed on how
    slow they bring up the club, but the acceleration on the down swing
    does it for them. And the distance off the tee, everyone over 250
    yards plus. I will be back next year to watch the best players
    go at it again.
    
                                Bruce

    I went on Friday. Got a great sunburn and saw some great golf. I took
    my sister who was in town with the Disney on Ice Show. We followed Jim
    Hallet for a few holes and Brian Tennyson(sp?) (my sister was looking
    for a husband). Then we sat at the 7th green, a long par 4, and saw
    some great long iron shots and some great putts. 7 did not give up many
    birdies on Friday. My parents went on Saturday and they had a great
    time also.
    
    While they were at the TPC I was playing the BEST round of my life..I
    net 58....Move over Al Geiberger
    
    Don

Re: -.1

I hope you didn't take any tips on your grip from Jim Hallet.  It's a wonder
that he can hit the ball.  Then again in the recent Senior Skins Trevino,
Palmer, & some respects Player all have less than picture perfect swings.

Larry

    Did anyone happen by the Hospitality Suite provided by 
    DEC, APPLE and Hamilton/Avnet?
    
    I would like some feed back as to how it looked and it's usefullness.
    
    Thanks
    
    Garry Wiersum
    SAM H/Ac
    

    I would have stopped by the tent but it wouldn't have done much good as
    a special badge was needed for entry.  I am also not in sales .
    Harold

    If your people can't get in... it can't do much...