The Action Begins

Tuesday 17th November - Pro-Am Day.  Very interesting in so many ways but also a great day to see the professionals in very relaxed mood around the course.  Lots of interaction with spectators and marshals alike and always it seems, a willingness to be photographed as long as the sponsors hat stays on and the golf bag is in the background!  These boys are Professional with a big P, always remembering their commitment to sponsors but in this frame of mind they are a delight to be with.

Mind you I did have one moment with Ross Fisher today who I had always believed to be one of the nicest gentlemen on and off the golf course?  Having given him a lift from the 9th green to the 10th tee, I politely asked him, "would it be possible to get a quick photo before teeing off?" He walked straight past me with a terribly cold stare and said "no".  Even I was lost for words and more so when two paces past me he turned with a huge smile on his face and said, "only kidding my friend, of course you can have a photo."  He got me hook, line and sinker and so the photo with Ross takes pride of place as number one in tonight's collection.  My faith restored and my opinion of Ross only enhanced.

It has genuinely been a joy and a pleasure working with them today as my job has involved in the morning ferrying them from 9th green to 10th tee and in the afternoon from the 18th green to the 1st tee.  We are talking about quite a distance and so for a short while you have your golfing heroes captive.  It's brilliant and without fail today, every one of my professional charges has been happy to chat about topics as diverse as holidays in Bali, changing nappies on a new baby and Ernie Els' vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa.  Justin Rose was happy to talk about British Airways, his sponsor and was particularly delighted to learn that they would be starting to fly the 777 into Nassau next year. (Sarah, I hope you are right on this because he said to introduce yourself to him if your paths ever cross on this route). He does by the way live in the Bahamas.

I could write and write about the fun today but should perhaps let the photos tell some of the story of the day.  I will be adding more each day from now but just hope that you don't get too irritated by my smug, self satisfied grin? 

One final comment, an afterthought really, is about the last photo tonight which features an American player who had the temerity to go sshhhhhhh to the British crowd at the last Ryder Cup when he sank a putt to win a hole.  It incensed spectators at the time but in retrospect you really had to respect his passion, style and determination.  In fact he could be an American Ian Poulter.  But face to face what a truly engaging guy he is and is actually one of my tips to do well this week.