By Billy Condon
I was able to catch up with a local golf fan, Nick D. of Huntington, N.Y. Nick and his buddies had been camped out on the 17th green the since 7 a.m. and were particularly excited to see Mickelson. I got a chance to talk to Nick while we watched Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Billy Mayfair, and Phil Mickelson play the tough par three. The one downfall of this prime spot for the Long Island boys is that there is no "dibs" on grandstand seats, making them forfeit a frosty beverage in order to catch a glimpse of Mickelson.
Nick plans to attend the Open on Sunday with the intention of following Tiger as much as he can and then heading back to his spot on 17. Besides Tiger, Nick thinks that gonna Mickelson has a great chance to win as well as Rocco Mediate. His dark horse pick is Sergio Garcia. Only time will tell as the 2009 U.S. Open kicks off tomorrow.
Showing posts with label Phil Mickelson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Mickelson. Show all posts
June 17, 2009
Morning Rounds
By Billy Condon
Walking back to the Media Center I bumped into last year's U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and shook his hand and wished him luck for this week. He is sure to be another fan favorite out here.
Ok, down to business - At least for today, the weather has not been an issue out here at the Black. Sunny skies and vocal crowds have been around all day and it keeps getting more crowded. The most attention of the players playing this morning was on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has had a mass of people following him and each tee and green that he approaches people shout their support. Playing alongside Jim Furyk today, Mickelson has been chatting it up with the 2003 U.S. Open champion, and Furyk has also been speaking a fair amount with Mickelson's caddie, Jim Mackay.
Also, quite a few spectators are sporting periscopes that they bought at the 2002 U.S. Open and happen to be designed by Mickelson's father and his company, the Mickelson Group.
A few notes from walking around during this mornings practice rounds:
-They were using a large fan on the 17th green, all the rain has resulted in soft greens with the players attacking the hole locations.
-Players MUST keep the ball in or near the fairway. Jeff Brehaut got caught in the long hay on 13 and his attempt to hack it out resulted in the ball advancing two feet.
-Especially today, players are not hesitant to drop a second, third and even fourth ball and test different clubs on par threes, chipping from different lies around the green, and are investigating strategies they will take for the tricky hole locations lined up for the next four days.
-While everyone is supporting Phil full-force, the buzz around the grandstands and concession stands are on Tiger, how he will perform, and if anyone has seen him.
Walking back to the Media Center I bumped into last year's U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and shook his hand and wished him luck for this week. He is sure to be another fan favorite out here.
Ok, down to business - At least for today, the weather has not been an issue out here at the Black. Sunny skies and vocal crowds have been around all day and it keeps getting more crowded. The most attention of the players playing this morning was on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has had a mass of people following him and each tee and green that he approaches people shout their support. Playing alongside Jim Furyk today, Mickelson has been chatting it up with the 2003 U.S. Open champion, and Furyk has also been speaking a fair amount with Mickelson's caddie, Jim Mackay.
Also, quite a few spectators are sporting periscopes that they bought at the 2002 U.S. Open and happen to be designed by Mickelson's father and his company, the Mickelson Group.
A few notes from walking around during this mornings practice rounds:
-They were using a large fan on the 17th green, all the rain has resulted in soft greens with the players attacking the hole locations.
-Players MUST keep the ball in or near the fairway. Jeff Brehaut got caught in the long hay on 13 and his attempt to hack it out resulted in the ball advancing two feet.
-Especially today, players are not hesitant to drop a second, third and even fourth ball and test different clubs on par threes, chipping from different lies around the green, and are investigating strategies they will take for the tricky hole locations lined up for the next four days.
-While everyone is supporting Phil full-force, the buzz around the grandstands and concession stands are on Tiger, how he will perform, and if anyone has seen him.
Phil's Arrival
By Billy Condon
I just got out of Phil Mickelson's press conference where the bulk of questions were geared towards his wife, Amy, and her recent diagnosis of breast cancer. Mickelson said how much he and Amy appreciate all of the support they have received, including the "Pink Out" held a few weeks back. He also spoke of how appreciative they are of all the articles the media has written in not only support of Amy, but of the individual stories they all share. This week, Amy has been leaving her husband notes, cards, and texts cheering him on and hopes that he can "bring home a nice silver trophy for her hospital room" when her treatment begins July 1.
Mickelson also spoke of how excited he is to be back in New York and how Bethpage (Black) is one of his favorite golf courses. He went on to say how he has brushed up on all current news regarding the Giants, Jets, Yankees and Mets so that he is prepared to talk sports with the New York fans.
You can be sure that all of the fans this week - and when Mickelson steps up to his first tee shot tomorrow will be cheering him on 100%.
I just got out of Phil Mickelson's press conference where the bulk of questions were geared towards his wife, Amy, and her recent diagnosis of breast cancer. Mickelson said how much he and Amy appreciate all of the support they have received, including the "Pink Out" held a few weeks back. He also spoke of how appreciative they are of all the articles the media has written in not only support of Amy, but of the individual stories they all share. This week, Amy has been leaving her husband notes, cards, and texts cheering him on and hopes that he can "bring home a nice silver trophy for her hospital room" when her treatment begins July 1.
Mickelson also spoke of how excited he is to be back in New York and how Bethpage (Black) is one of his favorite golf courses. He went on to say how he has brushed up on all current news regarding the Giants, Jets, Yankees and Mets so that he is prepared to talk sports with the New York fans.
You can be sure that all of the fans this week - and when Mickelson steps up to his first tee shot tomorrow will be cheering him on 100%.
June 16, 2009
Phil Arrives on Wednesday
By Greg Midland
Phil Mickelson's caddie, Jim "Bones" Mackay, arrived at Bethpage today to scout the golf course for his boss. He walked onto the driving range as Tiger was hitting balls and fans recognized him right away. He had to disappoint them, unfortunately. "Sorry guys," Mackay said. "He's not here today." He does have an 8:00 a.m. press conference scheduled in the media center on Wednesday, however, so fans with Wednesday practice round tickets should get to see their man Phil tee off around mid-morning.
Phil Mickelson's caddie, Jim "Bones" Mackay, arrived at Bethpage today to scout the golf course for his boss. He walked onto the driving range as Tiger was hitting balls and fans recognized him right away. He had to disappoint them, unfortunately. "Sorry guys," Mackay said. "He's not here today." He does have an 8:00 a.m. press conference scheduled in the media center on Wednesday, however, so fans with Wednesday practice round tickets should get to see their man Phil tee off around mid-morning.
April 13, 2009
What an Ending!
By Billy Condon
Wow! I don’t think anyone could have predicted such an exciting finale to the Masters. With Tiger and Phil’s comeback efforts falling just short, Kenny Perry nearly acing 16 and a three-man playoff, this year’s Masters was anything but drama-free. Although our predictions were a little off with no European, man from the Emerald Isle, or Mahan/Cink coming through in the end to don the green jacket, it sure was fun to watch and congratulations are due to Angel Cabrera. From the avid follower to someone watching for the first time, it’s hard to say golf isn’t a great spectator sport.
Yesterday was a perfect example of why not only golf, but all sports are so exciting. Just when you think you're out for the count, you get a lucky bounce off a tree back into the fairway, make a putt and before you know it, you are in Butler Cabin being awarded the green jacket. Cabrera paralleled what the Boston University hockey team achieved this weekend, as the Terriers scored two goals in the final minute of regulation to force overtime and eventually win the National Championship.
2009 will be a great year for major championship golf and with the next stop being right here in the Met Area, the world’s best will be itching for their next shot to win a major at the Black.
April 6, 2009
A Master-ful Final Four
As my picks for the NCAA basketball tournament have dwindled, leaving me battling at 1,115,000th place on ESPN going into tonight’s final, I can only hope my Masters picks treat me better. Before I reveal my choice(s) for the green jacket, I am going to first make a prediction on the par-three contest. With no player having ever won the par-three and the championship prior in the same year, I have strategically chosen Sergio Garcia. No offense to Sergio, I’m saving him as my Barclay’s ringer.
I have found that Masters picks can be compared to March Madness with regards to selections: there is a limited number, those that get in may only get the chance once in their lifetime, and you can’t get enough Jim Nantz. First and foremost, you have the heavy favorites: UNC, UConn, Tiger, and Phil; next are the picks you make only because their names sound cool: the Zips of the University of Akron, the Matadors of Cal State Northridge, Reinier Saxton of Holland, and Ryo Ishikawa of Japan; and lastly you have the hopeful Cinderella’s that you know are only worth picking for a big pay-out: Morehead State, UT Chattanooga, Sergio Garcia, and Greg Norman.
So after a thorough analysis of the field, I have narrowed it down to four players who I think have what it will take to win. Coincidentally, these four picks show similarities that have been cross-referenced to the teams that played in this year’s Final Four.
-My UNC has to be Tiger Woods. After a couple of scares, UNC is the team to beat just as Tiger is coming on strong after a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The players know that on his A-game, Tiger is unstoppable.
-My other heavy hitter is Phil. As a fellow lefty, I have a great allegiance to Phil and I would have to compare him to UConn. He has been playing well, but you never exactly know what you are going to get out of him, and as seen by both, it is always harder to make a move after being rattled early on.
-I see Hunter Mahan as Villanova: no one would have guessed they would be in contention except those close to the team, and with the way he has been performing in recent weeks, he can make some noise. -As for Michigan State, I am going with Stewart Cink. After winning at the Travelers Championship last year and helping the U.S. team win back the Ryder Cup, as well as two top-ten finishes at Augusta the last three years including a tie for third in 2008, I would really like to see “Big Stew” in Butler Cabin. As much as the title may seem a lock for the Tar Heels or a healthy Tiger, Cink and the Spartans are riding some pretty heavy momentum. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a Georgia guy, and as the Spartans can attest, it never hurts to have the hometown crowd on your side. (I just hope he doesn’t use all his good swings in Wednesday’s par-three).
Billy Condon
I have found that Masters picks can be compared to March Madness with regards to selections: there is a limited number, those that get in may only get the chance once in their lifetime, and you can’t get enough Jim Nantz. First and foremost, you have the heavy favorites: UNC, UConn, Tiger, and Phil; next are the picks you make only because their names sound cool: the Zips of the University of Akron, the Matadors of Cal State Northridge, Reinier Saxton of Holland, and Ryo Ishikawa of Japan; and lastly you have the hopeful Cinderella’s that you know are only worth picking for a big pay-out: Morehead State, UT Chattanooga, Sergio Garcia, and Greg Norman.
So after a thorough analysis of the field, I have narrowed it down to four players who I think have what it will take to win. Coincidentally, these four picks show similarities that have been cross-referenced to the teams that played in this year’s Final Four.
-My UNC has to be Tiger Woods. After a couple of scares, UNC is the team to beat just as Tiger is coming on strong after a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The players know that on his A-game, Tiger is unstoppable.
-My other heavy hitter is Phil. As a fellow lefty, I have a great allegiance to Phil and I would have to compare him to UConn. He has been playing well, but you never exactly know what you are going to get out of him, and as seen by both, it is always harder to make a move after being rattled early on.
-I see Hunter Mahan as Villanova: no one would have guessed they would be in contention except those close to the team, and with the way he has been performing in recent weeks, he can make some noise. -As for Michigan State, I am going with Stewart Cink. After winning at the Travelers Championship last year and helping the U.S. team win back the Ryder Cup, as well as two top-ten finishes at Augusta the last three years including a tie for third in 2008, I would really like to see “Big Stew” in Butler Cabin. As much as the title may seem a lock for the Tar Heels or a healthy Tiger, Cink and the Spartans are riding some pretty heavy momentum. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a Georgia guy, and as the Spartans can attest, it never hurts to have the hometown crowd on your side. (I just hope he doesn’t use all his good swings in Wednesday’s par-three).
Billy Condon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)