Happy Monday! I’m here with Holly sharing some fun from our trip to the U.S. Open last week. I hope you’ll link up with us for Hello Monday!
Our trip to the U.S. Open actually started about a year ago. My dad decided to volunteer at the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, NC. Pinehurst has a very special place in our hearts. My grandparents lived on a Pinehurst golf course and belonged to the club for most of my life. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time there and was so excited to go back. My dad suggested that Jack volunteer as a standard bearer and he said absolutely! Jeff decided to volunteer also.
My sister and her family decided to come too so my parent rented a house with a pool about an hour away from the course. It worked for our home base that week. On Sunday morning, my parents picked up Jeff and Jack and they headed south. They drove to Pinehurst first to look around and to exchange Jack’s jacket for a better fit. Then they headed to the house and got settled in.
Luke and I were still at the beach for his lacrosse tournament and had two more days of school that week before we could head down on Wednesday afternoon.
On Monday, Jack had his first volunteer shift. It was practice round so it was only 9 holes and he didn’t have to keep score. Jeff and my dad walked along with him and it was pretty cool! Jack was with Nick Dunlap and Jackson Buchanan (an amateur and sophomore at Illinois).
On Tuesday, Jeff and Dad had their first volunteer shift. They both signed up for a few different volunteer options and didn’t get any of them. They were in the merchandise tent. Neither was thrilled about it, but they both made the best of it. Jack went to the golf course with them and hung out. It was another practice round and he got a bunch of autographs.
On Wednesday, Jack stayed home at the house with my mom. Jeff and my dad had their second volunteer shift in the late afternoon. Luke and I got there around dinner time after a really easy drive down.
On Thursday morning, we were up at the crack of dawn. Jack had to be at his shift at 6:15 am. We were an hour drive to the parking lot, a 10 minute bus ride to the course, and a 5-10 minute walk to the volunteer check in. Jeff and I took Jack early and walked the whole course with him. Jack was with Dean Burmester, Seamus Power, and Rikuya Hoshino. They were nice guys and Jack had a great time! They gave him a signed ball at the end of the round. Jack was hoping to get Tiger’s group but it didn’t work out. He was a few groups ahead of Tiger’s group and was able to watch him when Tiger was on the 3rd green and Jack’s group was on the 5th green. My dad and Luke came over and met us for the last few holes. We spent the rest of the day at the course. We spent a good bit of time on the 11th green grandstand. Jeff and Dad had their third volunteer shift at 4:30. The boys and I stayed at the course until about 5:30. Dad and Jeff finished around 8:00 and headed home. We all hung out for a little bit but headed to bed pretty early. It was so hot all weekend and we were beat. My sister, brother-in-law, and neice got in around 1 am.
On Friday morning, Jeff, Luke, Jack and I got up and headed to the course pretty early. We decided to sit on the 13th hole grandstand for a bit and watch the players come through. After we sat there and baked for a bit, I noticed that the 12th hole grandstand was in the shade so we moved over there. We stayed there for a while. My dad and brother-in-law Zach came over to the tournament a little later. Jack and I met up with them whn we made our way over to the second hole to be there ahead of Tiger. Jack and I were in the perfect spot, but Tiger’s ball went to the other side of the fairway. We still had a great view and it was neat to watch him decide what club to use. We stayed at the course for most of the day and then headed home for dinner. My dad and Zach came home after us and enjoyed a great day at Pinehurst, too.
On Saturday, the four of us headed to the course early again. Dad and Zach came a little later. We hung out at the 6th grandstand for a while. Luke wanted to get up and explore a bit so we headed over to the activity zones. We visited The First Tee tent, which was gloriously air conditioned. He played a putting Plinko type game and a chipping target game. It was great. We all met up and watched more golf together before heading home.
We had a delicious dinner and hung out. How cute are these three in their U.S. Open hats?
Annie, Zach, and Maggie headed home on Sunday morning. Jack, Jeff, and I were up early for Jack’s final volunteer shift. Dad and Luke came over a little later. He was really hoping to get Jordan Spieth’s group, but it wasn’t meant to be. He went out with Adam Scott and Brian Cambpell. Jack did get to see Jordan tee off on the 4th hole when his group was on the 6th tee. It was so cool to watch Jack walk up the 18th fairway to the Pinehurst clubhouse! Both golfers gave Jack a signed ball and signed their name strips from the sign he carried. He was pretty pumped about that. When Jack finished, he got to walk in the tunnel under the clubhouse with the caddies and players. What an incredible expereience he had! We spent the next few hours eating lunch on Maniac Hill and watching golf. Jeff and Dad had their final volunteer shifts at 11:30. Jeff stopped volunteering around 2 and took Jack and Luke home. They were all really hot and tired and decided to watch the ending from home. I waited around until Dad finished around 4 and then we headed home together.
On Monday morning, we got up, packed the cars, and hit the road. It was an incredible week and so much fun! I love PGA tournaments and this one was extra special! We were in Pinehurst! We were all together in one house! We celebrated Father’s Day in Pinehurst at the U.S. Open! I am still smiling typing all of this. My mom was the rockstar at the house. She anticipated every single thing anyone could need or want and had everything just perfect for us. It was really lovely to come home each evening and recap the day with her and an ice cold glass of wine. Jack said he’d like to do it again next year at Oakmont. We’ll have to see what next year brings.
Have you ever been to a PGA tournament? I think they are so fun. I think this was my 7th one. I’ve been to the Players, U.S. Open in 2005 in Pinehurst, Rocket Mortgage, AT&T, Heritage, and BMW tournaments and one Senior PGA event. Golf people are so nice, the weather is usually gorgeous even if it’s hot, you’re outside, the clothes are fun, and I get to spend time with my family. The golfers are great to kids and my guys love it! Let me know if you have any other questions about our week or the golf tournament in the comments. That wraps it up for today. Be sure to link up with Holly and me below. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!
