Marshal Chronicles, Day One

Mr. Fairway survived his “practice” round as a PGA Tour marshal. Tuesday was practice day for the pros playing in the AT&T National. The course was closed to the public and the only spectators were members of Congressional Country Club and their guests, which made for an easy morning. Four of use took our positions by 7 a.m. – one at the tee, one at the crosswalk down the fairway, one at the landing area and one at the green. We later abandoned the crosswalk when we learned the public gate there would be closed all day. The first player through was Ben Crane, playing by himself. Most players chose a driver for the 407-yard, hole that featured three bunkers at the left corner of the dogleg. The caddies, using yardage devices, indicated it was 301 yards to carry the last bunker. Steve Marino, a young gun who grew up in Northern Virginia and played golf at the University of Virginia, hit a beautiful high draw that landed past the third bunker. Charles Howell III hit is drive nearly as far with a 3-wood. Frank Lickliter smashed his drive with an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.

At the green, most players putted to the hole and then to various spots around the green that their caddies had marked as likely hole locations during the tournament. A few players like Tommy Armour III hit several shots from the greenside bunker. Several players also hit shots from a deep, shaved collection area behind the green. Mark Wilson hit several with his putter and a few with a sand wedge or a lob wedge. Most impressive, however, were the shots he rolled up the steep embankment with his 5-wood. Mr. Fairway made a note to try that on his home course.

Most players were talkative with the exception of Ryuji Imada and Shigeki Maruyama, who only interacted with their caddies and other friends. The All-Midwest group of Steve Stricker and J.P. Hayes (Wisconsin) and Tim Herron and Cameron Beckman (Minnesota) appeared relaxed and having fun on a sunny, cool morning.

After our morning shift, we drifted over to the putting green and watched Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker roll putts. After watching Fluff Cowan crouch down and retrieve Furyk’s putts and roll his golf balls back to him, Marshal Mike asked Mr. Fairway if he would do the same for him. “Sure – dollar a ball.” Dozens of fans congregated around the putting green and Furyk and Matt Kuchar signed autographs while equipment company reps displayed their wares trying to entice players into trying new magic wands. We wandered down to the range and watched some pros hit balls before calling it a day.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Spike McRoy.