chronologically incorrect, more golf - The Players

its mid July and Sunday of the Open Championship... so thought it the right context to go back to the beginning of May and our very fun visit to PVB to highlight the Players Championship practice rounds that we attended.

I am now more of the mindset that the practice rounds are the most fun to attend, and then watching the 'main' event on television provides the best coverage and feel of an event (except perhaps Augusta) - as you are able to see more players, and in a semi casual setting - and also get to see how they prepare.

Some look very serious and practice in solitude, some are elusive and out early in the morning (Tiger & Phil - but on separate parts of the course), and others look like they are genuinely having fun, playing side matches with friends, and trying out shots that they might not play when under the pressure of a Sunday final round.

and they allow cameras:

one of the 'home course' contestants
the island green 17th (with netting to protect the tee and collect divots so that it looks good on tv)
Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, and Padraig Harrington (and a bag of trail mix)
Couples, Love, Stewart Cink, and Zach Johnson playing a match:
Davis keeping his head down
glamorous spectators:
impatient commentators:
Camillo Villegas on the range (not sure why the caddie is staring at me)
the UK Contingent
Ross Fischer, Oliver Wilson, Luke Donald, Paul Casey
the new clubhouse - a (5th) major improvement over the old

We spent more time enjoying the beach, family, and our own struggles and successes on the golf course than paying attention to the action across the street - which was exactly what we were looking to do with this holiday!

me on the left... 'attempting' to surf - I guarantee that building wave beat me up