Just got back from The Player's

[Serenity Now]

Just got home from 5 days in Jacksonville with my older son. He will be leaving next week for 2 years in Spain doing missionary work so it was our last getaway together for a while. I used some freq flier miles and a buddy of mine got me tickets to the Player's from Charlie Hoffman so it was not too expensive. I ended up losing my license when the lady took it at will call & I forgot to ask for it back. I called later and it was no where to be found.

We played 36 holes the day we arrived (Monday) at Cimarrone. Decent course and you could not beat it for the price. 32 for first 18 and 25 for the replay. It was so warm that we played 36 in about 5 1/2 hrs. Water on every hole so what I saved in golf I donated with new HX Tours. Note to self to bring shag bag next time. Next day we played Hyde Park. Oldest course in Florida built in 1925 and designed by Donald Ross. Only cost 27 each. Great layout in it's original state. Could be great if they spent some money on it but we really enjoyed it.

Wednesday we went to the practice round and took lots of pictures and got to talk to some of the players. Practice round is the way to go as there is no one there, parking is free and access is fantastic. We spent about an hour right behind the tee box on 17 watching a bunch of guys hit tee shots.

Played St. Johns Country Club that afternoon. Fantastic track! It was 67 each as they bumped their prices (like most everyone else) for the weekend of the tour event. They had US Open Sectionals there and it was easy to see why. What a tremendous golf course. Hard but very fair and in fantastic shape.

Thursday we got up at crack of dawn and went to the first round. Parking wqs a major hassle as we had to go to North Florida U and get shuttled to the tournament. It cost us about 90 minutes extra. For what the rest of the trip cost me I should have bought a parking pass on Ebay or Craigs list. We finally got to the course at about 8:30. Caught up with Mickelson, Sabbatini & Stenson on the 11th hole their 2nd. Mickelson's drive almost hit us on the fly as he blocked it left and when they walked up, Bones had us show him where it was. They both thanked us. I told Phil he better hit a good shot as we had come all the way from San Diego to watch him. He laughed and said he would try his best. The Marshall asked me if I knew him and I said no, but I was left handed. On 12, Sabbatini's drive missed my son by about a foot and we got to show him where it was and he hit a great recovery shot right in front of us. He was actually quite pleasant.

We followed them their entire round. Phil left about 3-4 shots out there but finished at -2. It was amazing to watch how he & Bones work together. They are truly a team out there and Phil does not do anything without checking with him.

We did not play golf that afternoon as we were whipped from all the walking in the 94 degree heat. Had a nice dinner at a Spanish restaurant that night. Never got to thank Charlie for the tickets and left before he melted down and tossed his putter in the lake.

Flew home Friday morning and then spent the rest of the night watching the first round looking to see ourselves on TV. Finally saw that I need to lose about 20 as there I was on number 9 as Phil made birdie to end his round.

Was a great trip with my son. We had a blast. If you ever decide to do a trip like that, make sure to go to the practice round. No other sport lets you get that up close and personal like that.

Looking forward to the US Open next month as we have tickets for Thursday. My boat is in a slip in Mission Bay (About a mile from Torrey) so we will just sleep there and get up early and take a taxi to & from so we do not have to deal with the parking nightmare. Gotta get some practice round tickets.

[Cizzle]

Wow, sounds like a great trip. Completely jealous. Thanks for the insight. Was thinking about going to Torrey, founds tickets for about 100 bucks a pop for Thursday, but decided not to pull the trigger. Maybe next year.

[ganjagolfer]

haven't most people heard of jesus in spain already?

[Lefty731PM]

Was a great trip with my son. We had a blast. If you ever decide to do a trip like that, make sure to go to the practice round. No other sport lets you get that up close and personal like that.

Thanks for posting that story - must have been great.

I totally agree with you about the practice tee. I watched Tiger when he was in Australia in 96 (I think it was) - he'd only just turned pro and was contracted to come bfore he started winning. The crowds were 10 deep, but you could see he was something special. Angry as hell on the course, but that's passion! Another time I was watching Norman at his peak hitting 3 woods out of divots. They were taking off like missiles and going about 290 metres. He hit one just a little bit fat (It only went about 250) and a guy in the crowd laughed. Norman turned around and offered the guy the club, grip first. When you look up "withering stare" in the dictionary, that's the video that's next to it. You have to remember that in his 20s, Norman had a more intimidating physical presence than anyone before or since, including Tiger. His shoulders were about 9 feet wide and had a waist measurement of 14 inches. TV does not show you what these guys do. Puts your own game in perspective.

[Franco!]

Thanks for posting that story - must have been great.

Haha.

I would've taken it and ran away yelling 'Good luck playing without a 3 wood!!' Then I would make a shrine to it.

[OHS1Golfer]

who do u guys think will win the players?

[Lefty731PM]

haven't most people heard of jesus in spain already?

Why do you assume that he's a Christian?

[ganjagolfer]

Why do you assume that he's a Christian?

good point, alot of people haven't heard of innuit shamanic rituals in spain so probably he's an eskimo