While we were in Wisconsin for the Packers game, a couple moved in beside us. They were also there for football. As we chatted, we started comparing notes and discovered that they, like us, went to the US Open in Pennsylvania, the PGA Championship where they stayed at Liberty Harbor, the Packers game and they were headed to Minnesota for the Ryder Cup. To make it even more interesting, they were staying at the same Minnesota campground. It was like we had gotten together and made plans. I guess it was one of those "great minds think alike" situations.
Bob and Max had a little dog named Lucy. Lucy is a nearly 15 year old Jack Russel Terrier. Bob and Max had tickets for Tuesday's practice round and they also had a parking pass. Before we all left Wisconsin, I offered to walk Lucy while they were at golf. They, in turn, agreed to give Rob a ride. I did not want to leave Penny Lane and Annie all day and I was sure they felt the same about Lucy. So, Rob would get a ride and Lucy would get a walk and lunch.
We linked up Monday evening and I met Lucy and got a few instructions. She is such a sweet little thing. She is really spry for an older girl.
Bob and Max came by on Tuesday morning and they gave Rob his ride. I stayed at the RV and did laundry, vacuumed, went for a run and did other house things. I went to Lucy's at noon and got her out for her walk and potty break.
Rob and I had been communicating during his morning at the course and we decided that he would come back and then he and I would both go watch a bit of the Celebrity Match golf. We drove to the shuttle stop and got on a bus.
We were soon delivered to the gates of Hazeltine and we made our way onto the course.
We made our way to the fairway of hole number 4. Number 4 is a short par three so we decided it was a good place to stand at the ropes and watch the celebrity golfers go by.
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA. SHE WAS PLAYING BAREFOOT
MICHAEL PHELPS
HUEY LEWIS
BILL MURRAY. YES...HE IS A HOOT AND ALWAYS ENTERTAINING
We walked around a bit,watched all the groups play through 4, and then decided to head back to the shuttle stop. The weather was turning a bit chilly and rainy.
The crowds at the shuttle stop were massive. We got in line with thousands of other golf fans and waited our turn. We got on our bus and shuttle hell began.
Golf fans are pretty durable. We go out in any weather, walk miles and stand for hours just to see the pros play. We, as a group, behave and have great respect for the game. We whisper, put our phones on silent mode and will pretty much let our heads explode vs sneezing during a putt or back swing.
We understand that getting 50,000+ fans to a tournament is tough but this is not Hazeltine's first rodeo. They have hosted other majors. Their shuttle logistics suck. The getting on the bus part was not too bad but the getting the bus to the parking lots was absolutely horrible. There was zero police participation in traffic control. So, no help with these buses crossing roads, making left turns and just managing traffic. I know that police presence costs money and time but tournaments like this bring MILLIONS into these communities. The PGA, Hazeltine and the local community need to fix this before the actual competition starts.
This sight did give us a chuckle.
POOR ELMO....HANGING FROM SOMEONE'S CAR BUMPER
We returned to the RV and took care of the girls. Our commute had been trying but we felt so lucky to be there. It would not taint our otherwise awesome day.
Another great day in this thing we call life.
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