Maybe shop? I have a wife and 3 daughters so go with your strengths. Kari and I went out to Hazeltine on Sunday to check out the entrance, merchandise tent and crowds. Even on Sunday the number of people hanging out at Hazeltine was stunning.
Kari and I with a giant Ryder Cup.
The euro flag snapping sharply in the wind
On of my favorite golfers ever. Too bad he is the Euro captain. Wouldn't it be great to meet him and maybe have a 🍻.
First, gotta get some tickets. Scotty D came to my aid an I obtained tickets for Thursday-Sunday. I decide I should work on Monday and Tuesday but from Wednesday on the calendar was open.
Wednesday morning came and with it a brief text from Scotty D, " Plans? I have a ticket for today's practice round."
I quickly replied "when do you want me at your house?" Scotty said 9:45. At that point I decide I need to put some golf pants on. At 9:45 I hopped in a car with Scotty D and his buddy DeWolf. Fifteen minutes later we pulled up to the A1 lot adjacent to club house. Three minutes later we are through security, two minutes after that Justin Rose is rolled by in a golf cart. I was amazed by the number of people already roaming the course. Scotty and DeWolf had to work as golf marshalls on hole #8⛳️. More about that later, much more.
Without adult supervision I roamed the course. It was beautiful and green the white sand in the bunkers a stark contrast to the emerald of the fairways and rough.
Rory on #11
Shortly after this Johnny Miller drove by to look at the bunkers and make some notes.
Rory between #16 and #17
A series of Sergio on #16
I spent a fair amount of time on the tee box by #16. I had a nice talke with Lee Weatwood's mom. She was incredibly nice. She is very proud of her boy. When I asked her if she was going to make him breakfast in the mornings before the tournament she replied, "No dear, the players stay at a different hotel then the family." I regret we didn't get a selfie together.
Justin Rose just before impact.
I move back up the course to find Kuchar getting ready to drill his second from the rough on 14.
I stopped at #7 for a little selfie action on of the prettiest holes on the golf course.
Payne Stewart bridge over my shoulder the green is far right. 😉
I was waiting for Scotty D when I am ran into a crew of Brits. I asked how BRITEX was working out, they ask if I was excited about our upcoming election. Well played lads, well played. After that it was either fight or drink. We elected to share a free 🍻. Sharing is Caring.
We could all agree that $10 for a beer was a little steep
I was welcomed to the Ryder Cup. What could get better than this.
Thursday at the Ryder Cup was crazy. Kari decided to come out and play for the day. We arrived a little before 9:30 AM and wandered around a bit. Kari and I decided to stop by hole #8 and check on Scotty D. We were standing just above the green waiting for the Euros to come through. There was a goofy dude in a red 1/4 zip pullover trying desperately to get a U-S-A chant going with no luck. Finally, the foursome of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Andy Sullivan arrive at the par 3 #8 tee box. Four well placed shots peppered the green. Henrik’s was about 12 feet to the left and above the hole. Everyone waited patiently for the foursome to put out and move on. However no one could make their putts and Henrik’s was particularly dicey. Henrik missed it twice below the hole. Rory missed it at least once above the hole. Justin and Andy just looked on in amusement. Suddenly, a voice from the crowd cried out, “Henrik, I could make that putt.” The next thing we see is this guy and the red pullover being called out and on to the green by Henrik Stenson with a little finger waggle.
The red pullover guy arrives at the green. I am pretty sure Rory put the ball down for him. He circled the green a couple of times looking at the slope, the break and trying to judge the speed. He may have just been walking around to waste some time and meet everyone but it looked good from where we stood. For some reason, they gave him Andy Sullivan’s putter which was way to short. That fact did not seem to bother the red pullover man. He hunkered down and began to prepare for his putt. As he did, Justin Rose walked briskly across the green and place a crisp $100 bill next to the putt head. The red pullover guy backed off for a moment and began again. He hunkered down over Sullivan’s tiny putter, pulled it back and pour his putt into the center of the cup. The 8th green went crazy, everyone, players, caddies and gallery. An internet sensation was born before our eyes.
The red pullover man tried to give Justin the $100 back but he refused to take it and eventually signed it for him along with Rory.
In 20 years, every single person on a golf course in Minnesota will claim to have been there, but Scott and Kari Anseth were and we have witness.
I didn't think the Ryder Cup could get any better, but it did. We wandered over to hole #14 and met up with our friends, Scotty Rob, CP and Chicago Doug. The rest of the afternoon consisted of $10 Bud Lights and golf. We were able to watch most of the American team on #14 or #16. It was a great time spent with great friends.
Tiger
Jordan Spieth
IMPACT!!
Lefty
Finally, we attended the Opening Ceremony. Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin spoke. Many remembered Mr. Palmer and his influence on golf. DL3 and Darren Clarke discussed the honor and privilege that comes with being a Captain. It was clear the real Ryder Cup started on Friday.
CP building relations across the Atlantic
Kari and CP at the Opening Ceremony
The Ryder Cup is officially on.
Friday of the Ryder cup started early. I was at Scotty D’s house just after 6:30 AM. The first great move of the Ryder Cup came when our driver A.I. bypassed Highway 41 and brought us in on the backroads. Our ride concluded by avoiding a barricade and jumping the curb in the minivan.
We quickly made it through security and headed for the 1st tee. The grand stand was completely filled and it was at least 5-6 deep up and down the entire 1st hole. Amazing energy. Very similar to a World Cup soccer match. Scotty D and I crossed the first fairway and watched the last 2 foursomes tee of from the left side of the fairway.
The first group is off
In the 1st fairway between groups 2 & 3
Lefty and Richie get off to a good start
After that we head over to #7 the signature par 4 along Lake Hazeltine. We watched all 4 morning groups go through it was fantastic golf. 3 1/2 points were won on the hole and we saw them all. Spieth and Reed won a point, so did Phil/Rickie and DJ/Kuchar. Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson halved the hole. This was all on the way to sweeping the morning matches.
Jordan and Patrick breaking down the putt
Patrick Reed drops the birdie
Lefty and Richie walking the green
Zach Johnson dropping a bomb to halve the hole
The face you make when you are down 3 after 10 holes
Patrick Reed posing on #11
Scotty D and I watched the afternoon foursome tee off from the grandstand behind the 1st tee. It was a beautiful Minnesota afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Anytime the Euro supports started to cheer the crowd simple drown them out with a chant of “No points, No Points, No Points.” Scotty D left to marshall and I wandered the course watching the USA hand back 3 points to the Euros. Rory and Thomas Pieters played fantastic golf.
The 1st tee grandstand
USA-USA-USA
The American Marshals
DJ taking a rip in front of the crowd
Paulina approves
Scotty D the attentive marshal
I went home with this feeling that nothing could top what I had seen on Friday.
Saturday was my day off. I travelled to Blaine and watch Gracie play in 2 soccer matches. She played great and scored 3 goals. It was nice to get away from the crowds but it also felt like I was missing out on something cool.
SUNDAY at the Ryder Cup looked to be epic!!!. This appeared to be especially true since Darren Clarke and DL3 decided to put Rory out first against Patrick Reed. I was not convinced this was the wisest decision but I was pretty sure the match would be fun to watch.
Scotty D and DWolf left for the Ryder Cup a 6:45 AM. They were scheduled to marshall on #8 from 7:30-9:30. I figured I could tag along and wander around until the place started to fill up. Two things happened next, one, the gate for general admissions didn't open till 7:30 AM and two, there were already 500 people waiting to get in when I got in line. By the time the gates opened at 7:30 there had to be a couple thousand people waiting to get in and when the gates opened they all took off running.
The crowd massing at the gates before they open at 7:30 AM.
I just started walking around. Unsure of what to do, I headed to the grandstand behind #8. I figured I could just hang with Scotty D and DWolf for awhile. The grandstand filled up quickly and we had a group of about 5 Brits sit behind me. I was literally in the front row directly behind the pin. Pleasant small talk ensued. At 10 AM, the beer went on sale. The guys from Bloomington next to me bought me a $10 Bud Lite so you can’t complain about that. By around 10:30 the grandstand was full. (The first group didn't tee off until 11:05) If you leave, they give you a card with a return time. Make it back before that time and keep your seat, show up late and tough luck. A very cool marshall who shall remain nameless, marked my card for 12:30. Scotty D and I wandered to #6 and #7, enjoyed another cold and frosty beer and some delicious all beef hot dogs. At 12:20, I slipped back into my seat and Scotty D slipped back under the ropes at #8 to “work”.
The calm on #8 before the storm.
American Outlaws
Hole #8 was in good hands.
Then it happened!!!!! Rory and Patrick arrive. Patrick had eagled #5 to draw even. The pairing came to #8 all square. Rory hit one directly at the stick, it landed about 15 feet short and backed up down the hill leaving a 40 footer for birdie. P. Reed hit one pin high just of the left fringe for an 18 footer for birdie. Rory stalked the green and then dropped the 40 footer in for a birdie. Hand to the ear, arms extended, “Come On” he roared. The crowd went bonkers. I actually had to high five the Brits behind me, UNBELIEVABLE!!!!. Patrick Reed plays fast so Rory was barely off the green before Patrick Reed fired his putt across the green and dead center into the cup. I was the loudest roar I have ever heard from a crowd. High five all around, Patrick Reed with the finger wag and the double fist pump. It was just electric. Scotty D and I stayed until DJ and Chris Wood came through.
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??"
Still a gentleman's game.
This photo was obtained without the expressed written consent of the PGA or the mobile device enforcement team.
We followed the finish of Reed and Rory. We watched Phil and Sergio battle on #17 and when Ryan Moore holed out on 18 to win his match and the Ryder Cup we headed to the Stage for the award ceremony. About the only thing we missed all week was Phil and Jordan Spieth spraying the crowd with champagne from the bridge. The closing ceremony was great, we even made Kare 11 as background.
As we decided our next move, we milled around the driving range and the first hole not quite ready to go home. Finally we decide to leave the glow of Hazeltine and Ryder Cup. On the way out we passed the media center. We finished the Ryder Cup in grand style. Pictures of Rory and with Hendrik Stenson and this guy. Mission complete.
Darren Clarke couldn't be cooler. Signed my hat and took pictures with Scotty D and me. We didn’t get invited bone fishing and barefoot golfing yet.
The sun setting on the 2016 Ryder Cup
Scotty D declaring our victory at the 2016 Ryder Cup
It was a great week, with great golf made even better because I was able to share the experience with some of my best friends. Right now I am wondering how long this Ryder Cup hangover will last.
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