This past week the PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association of America) held the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Because of a lucky break and the generosity of a former PGA tour golfer, I had the pleasure of attending my first ever PGA event.
In mid-July as I was working out at Superior National, I was talking with former PGA professional Terry Hogan. In the midst our conversation, I told him that I have always wanted to take my dad to a PGA event. He just happened to have two extra tickets to the Wednesday practice round of the PGA Championship and generously gave them to me. I was stunned. Not only were we going to attend a PGA event, we were going to the PGA Championship!
Mr. Hogan is an especially gracious and humble man. I was very appreciative that he would think of giving me tickets even though he hardly knew me. I am still very humbled by his gift.
It just so happened that my brother was getting back from his work in Oklahoma and would be back at his home in Blaine for that weekend. Acting quickly, I looked on eBay for another ticket to the practice round and purchased it. We then all decided to get first round tickets if I could get them on eBay, and make it a father-son(s) weekend. I was able to pull off the first round tickets and we were set for two days of PGA Championship golf.
During the practice round, we walked the course and were able to get very close to the golfers, including Phil Mickelson, who is a fan favorite and the number two ranked golfer in the world. Every golfer we watched just amazed us with his absolute control of the golf ball. They are truly amazing athletes.
After getting up early for the practice round, we strategized where we wanted to be for the first round of play. We got up early the next day and got to the gates just after they opened. There were already thousands of people there before us. We were hoping our place wouldn’t be taken. We went directly to the 16th hole, which is primarily in the shade and offers exciting golf with water hazards on both sides.
Our place was yet to be taken. We brought fold-up chairs and parked them right along the ropes in front of the bridge that celebrates the life of the late Payne Stewart who won the 1991 U.S. Open at Hazeltine. All of the players playing in the championship would have to go close to the ropes and cross the bridge.
Every golfer that played came right by us. We had the best seats in the house. When Tiger Woods came by, I looked back behind us, and witnessed a following of people that was incredible. I was thankful we got up early as we were front and center to see one of the greatest athletes of all-time. He is the most impressive athlete I have ever seen in person.
It was a great weekend of golf and an even better fatherson( s) experience.
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