Frank2001
10-26-2002, 11:46 AM
Greetings --
Was a spectator at the Buick Challenge during Friday's 2nd round.
Had no trouble parking or taking shuttle bus, but a long walk from the bus' drop-off point to the clubhouse area.
At 12:30 PM the afternoon groups went off from both tees. Sacrificed watching Tim Herron tee off on #1 to watch Jerry Pate tee off on #10.
At 1:00 PM Phil Mickelson teed off at #10, along with Billy Andrade and Mark Brooks. Took notice that Mark's wife Cynthia was following the group.
Mickelson birdied the 10th after a nice close approach to go 8-under. Still 8-under when he reached the par-5, Mickelson drove it just left of the fairway, close to trees. He elected to go for a green 235-some-odd yards away that had water in front. THWACK! SPLASH! In the drink short of the bank fronting the green - Bogey 6, back to 7-under.
Two holes later, at the Par-4 17th, Mickelson took three to reach the green. It was at this point, I got the urge to walk towards the 18th tee, when I heard someone behind me say "Double Bogeyed". "Who?" I asked. "Mickelson-Three Putt!" was the reply.
Well, that put Phil at 5-under, 2 ahead of what some were saying was the projected cut. The murmurs started - yeah, he's just gonna play two rounds and head up the road to Atlanta. And a jillion other jibes.
Mickelson's reply to his misfortunes was to nail his approach to less than 10 feet on #18 and make birdie.
At this point, I was a little fatigued and elected to stay around the 18th green area for awhile. So, I didn't follow Mickelson's group on the front nine.
Then I noticed that Mickelson was reeling off several birdies and coming back towards the top. I went back out just as his group reached the ninth hole. Mickelson nailed his final approach shot of the day to 3 feet and birdied to finish 12-under, one off the lead of Tim Herron (who I also followed on his last two holes) and Craig Parry.
Billy Andrade finished at 8-under. Mark Brooks shot 69 to finish 4-under. Unfortunately, the cut came at 5-under. So, Mark is off to Mississippi and the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.
Long-time Buick Challenge regulars have to be really happy that Jerry Pate made the cut and is playing well so far. Pate won the event in 1977 and 1978, when it was known as the Southern Open.
After the round, there was a considerable wait in the scorer's tent. It appeared from outside that there might have been a problem with Mickelson's score or maybe not. Whatever it was, Mickelson emerged with a smile as if to say everything's fine. Phil was then interviewed by ESPN's Bill Kratzert and TGC's Mike Ritz on the practice green.
Briefly saw my brother-in-law with his friends, chatted and moved on. Only today I learn that if I stayed with him another two minutes, an old childhood friend would have came along and offered to take me to a prime private viewing spot behind the 18th--yeeks! Ever have that happen to you?
I enjoyed my day and was looking forward to the weekend and getting back up to the tournament. But Mother Nature and other events have gotten in the way of my plans.
With rain in the forecast, Saturday's tee times were moved up, with leaders Mickelson, Perry and Heron teeing off at 10:00 AM. Because of a prior commitment, I got into a bind. I had planned to leave where I am now at 11:30 AM and arrive at Callaway around 1:00 PM. But now, with the round already under way, I would be arriving just as the leaders were on their last 4 or 5 holes (assuming no delays or suspension).
So, I will stay put today and hope that I can be on hand for Sunday's final round--if the weather will comply!
Thanx-A-Lot, Frank2001 (http://fgf2001.100megsfree3.com)
Was a spectator at the Buick Challenge during Friday's 2nd round.
Had no trouble parking or taking shuttle bus, but a long walk from the bus' drop-off point to the clubhouse area.
At 12:30 PM the afternoon groups went off from both tees. Sacrificed watching Tim Herron tee off on #1 to watch Jerry Pate tee off on #10.
At 1:00 PM Phil Mickelson teed off at #10, along with Billy Andrade and Mark Brooks. Took notice that Mark's wife Cynthia was following the group.
Mickelson birdied the 10th after a nice close approach to go 8-under. Still 8-under when he reached the par-5, Mickelson drove it just left of the fairway, close to trees. He elected to go for a green 235-some-odd yards away that had water in front. THWACK! SPLASH! In the drink short of the bank fronting the green - Bogey 6, back to 7-under.
Two holes later, at the Par-4 17th, Mickelson took three to reach the green. It was at this point, I got the urge to walk towards the 18th tee, when I heard someone behind me say "Double Bogeyed". "Who?" I asked. "Mickelson-Three Putt!" was the reply.
Well, that put Phil at 5-under, 2 ahead of what some were saying was the projected cut. The murmurs started - yeah, he's just gonna play two rounds and head up the road to Atlanta. And a jillion other jibes.
Mickelson's reply to his misfortunes was to nail his approach to less than 10 feet on #18 and make birdie.
At this point, I was a little fatigued and elected to stay around the 18th green area for awhile. So, I didn't follow Mickelson's group on the front nine.
Then I noticed that Mickelson was reeling off several birdies and coming back towards the top. I went back out just as his group reached the ninth hole. Mickelson nailed his final approach shot of the day to 3 feet and birdied to finish 12-under, one off the lead of Tim Herron (who I also followed on his last two holes) and Craig Parry.
Billy Andrade finished at 8-under. Mark Brooks shot 69 to finish 4-under. Unfortunately, the cut came at 5-under. So, Mark is off to Mississippi and the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.
Long-time Buick Challenge regulars have to be really happy that Jerry Pate made the cut and is playing well so far. Pate won the event in 1977 and 1978, when it was known as the Southern Open.
After the round, there was a considerable wait in the scorer's tent. It appeared from outside that there might have been a problem with Mickelson's score or maybe not. Whatever it was, Mickelson emerged with a smile as if to say everything's fine. Phil was then interviewed by ESPN's Bill Kratzert and TGC's Mike Ritz on the practice green.
Briefly saw my brother-in-law with his friends, chatted and moved on. Only today I learn that if I stayed with him another two minutes, an old childhood friend would have came along and offered to take me to a prime private viewing spot behind the 18th--yeeks! Ever have that happen to you?
I enjoyed my day and was looking forward to the weekend and getting back up to the tournament. But Mother Nature and other events have gotten in the way of my plans.
With rain in the forecast, Saturday's tee times were moved up, with leaders Mickelson, Perry and Heron teeing off at 10:00 AM. Because of a prior commitment, I got into a bind. I had planned to leave where I am now at 11:30 AM and arrive at Callaway around 1:00 PM. But now, with the round already under way, I would be arriving just as the leaders were on their last 4 or 5 holes (assuming no delays or suspension).
So, I will stay put today and hope that I can be on hand for Sunday's final round--if the weather will comply!
Thanx-A-Lot, Frank2001 (http://fgf2001.100megsfree3.com)