Posted October 19th, 2008 at 5:58 pm in Golf News

How To Get Inside The Ropes At A Major

The coveted abc sports armband - my ticket to inside the ropes at the 1992 Open Championship. All I have to do is to keep one shot ahead and try not to get caught up in the gallery when going from green to tee. I manage to do this by walking as closely behind the players as I can. Faldo is mostly steaming because his driver is working and his irons and putter are flat. His opponent, Steve "The Volcano" Pate isn't saying much of anything because he can't find a fairway and he knows his miracle up-and-downs can't last forever.

One Nervous TV Golf Spotter Takes To Muirfield's Fairways

I can close my eyes and see it all unfold again, just like it was yesterday - East Lothian, Scotland, Sunday July 22nd, 1992 - Final round of the 121st Open Championship at Muirfield Golf Club - Home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Nick Faldo and Steve Pate are the final twosome to tee off on that strip of narrow fairway that defines the 1st hole, a par 4, a fairway that was only hit by a few players the whole day. I am the gentleman standing in the rough just off the 1st fairway, headset on, red abc sports armband around the sleeve of my green John Jacobs Golf School jacket. I am listening to the steady voice of one of abc sports lead producers who is telling me to relax, speak clearly and keep ahead of the action.

Anyone Who Loves Golf Can Be A TV Spotter

How did I get to be an on-course spotter, inside the ropes of the British Open Championship or the "Open" as it is referred to there, having the time of my life? Someday I will give you all my secrets but if you are a golfer, in fairly good shape and your schedule is somewhat flexible I have the contacts to make it happen for you. Just email us with your interests by commenting to this blog.

Back to the action: Both players bogie number one and it's off to the 2nd hole, tied. It was threatening rain all that day, the players seemed tense, huge galleries for the final twosome, rainjackets on, then off, as the sun peeked through the clouds. Not particulaly windy, warmer than usual, ideal conditions for the final round really, and neither Nick Faldo or Steve Pate could hit a green on the front side… but I guess that's a story for another day, you already know the outcome, Faldo won with a two putt par on the final hole and made his famous remarks "I thank the press from the heart of my bottom."

Best Golf Trip Ever

What a trip! Staying with the abc sports brass at one of their rented houses in N. Burwick, where we commuted by rental cars to Gullane and East Lothian. Much fish & chips consumed in N. Berwick and the pub crawl was on every night. A lot of memories from that tournament will stay with me the rest of my days including: the Friday night strip act of Debbie Couples (wife of Fred Couples) up on a table in a very crowded pub, dancing away to the beat of loud disco music, whoosh, off goes the blouse, skirt is coming next but Craig Stadler, Russ Cochran and Rocco Mediate jump to the rescue, hauling a slightly inebriated Debbie down from her dance platform, across the broad shoulders of the Walrus and out into the air of a crisp Scottish night. Freddie has missed the cut and is sulking a bit back at the hotel while the Daly brothers get more wasted and louder. Is this what life is like on the PGA Tour?

John Jacobs' In Person At Last

At the time I was a consultant for the John Jacobs' Golf Schools International Travel Division and I had come to Scotland to meet Mr. John Jacobs himself and to arrange agreements with other good courses besides all the "name" ones. I can't tell you how much fun I had as a single joining local golfers - especially the guys I found at N. Burwick GC. One was a former pro there, in town for the Open with 2 of his members from their club in England. What happened after that is the stuff legends are made of.