US Open   June 2011

Congressional Country Club     Bethesda, MD

Volunteering to be a marshal at a US Open begins 16 months in advance of the actual tournament date, going onto the USGA website and applying for one of the spots, which then places you into a lottery.  There are thousands of applicants vying for the available assignments.  Not only do you then hope you'll get lucky and be selected, but also that you'll be assigned to your first choice from all the various volunteer categories.   I was eventually notified by late summer of my selection, then some months after that of my assignment to be a grandstand marshal at the 1st tee. Great!  I had also convinced by buddy Jim to apply for a marshal spot but he wasn't selected initially, getting onto a waiting list.  He subsequently got chosen for an assignment in spectator hospitality, checking tickets at one of the entry gates to Congressional.
Our road trip from Cape Cod to Bethesda, original estimated travel time: 8 hours.  After serious traffic jams in NJ and DC: 12 hours! We were graciously hosted by Jim's daughter Alyssa at her condo outside of DC for four nights.  She turned out to be a terrific conversationalist on any subject, especially with regard to her job in Washington.

Day 1  June 16, 2011

After a surprisingly restful night on an air mattress, we made the 40 minute drive to Congressional.  Washington DC traffic wasn't too bad, GPS took us to the main gate where Jim had to get a temporary day pass to enable him access into the Open.  He had not received his official credential in advance due to being chosen off the volunteer waiting list so late. My credential allowed me entry but only at a gate on the opposite side of Congressional from where Jim would need to go to pick up his credential at the will-call booth.  At the volunteer pavilion, an official heard our dilemma and recommended we get someone at the cart area to drive us across the course to will-call.  The only attendant at the nearby cart barn said he couldn't leave his post, but after hearing of our situation, decided we could take one of the half-dozen carts, "Just be sure to bring it back", he said.  Of course, volunteers are prohibited from driving carts on-course, unless specifically authorized to do so on their volunteer credential, which we weren't.  So, we'd been at the US Open for literally 15 minutes, and here we were bending USGA rules, trying to drive a golfcart along unfamiliar cartpaths jammed with spectators, no clear idea how to get to our destination, Jim behind the wheel, me with map in hand trying to direct him.  Marshal lesson: always project a air of confidence and act like you know what you are doing, and that you belong in the situation.  Eventually we made it to gate 5 where Jim would spend the next 5 hours scanning tickets and chatting with patrons.  He's in retail sales so this was in his wheelhouse: official greeter.

At the first tee grandstand, I found the captain Larry, and got introduced to the other marshals, Kamal, and Ken working this assignment, all nice guys and veterans of multiple USGA events.  I found out later that some marshals literally spend every vacation traveling the country year after year marshaling.  The job of a grandstand marshal is to basically act as part-usher and part-marshal for crowd control as players tee off.  The 1st tee grandstand was surprisingly small, holding 150 spectators when fully packed. This was great for it was easy to keep such a small crowd under control and quiet during the crucial moments.  We were able to chat with the spectators all day long, answering questions, and serving as USGA ambassadors.  The grandstand location was exceptional, at the hub of all the action immediately next to the palatial Congressional clubhouse.  Beside the grandstand were the practice chipping and putting areas as well.  In addition, most of the grandstand was shaded all day, which was not the case at many locations throughout the course.  I had an excellent view looking directly down on the small tee box area, including the podium which the USGA uses for the formal introduction of each player as he tees up.  Lots of official blue blazer wearing dignitaries in attendance.  Interesting perspective watching all the players getting prepared for that first tee shot, lots of visible jitters on display.  I can only imagine how nervous I would be, the US Open for heavens sake!

After my shift, Jim joined me at #1 and we then acted like spectators, walking around the course, checking out the 35,000 square foot merchandise tent, (over 50 official US Open hat styles!), and tried to gain entry to the clubhouse, where we were politely, but firmly turned away.  Jim was excited about his first day at a professional golf event, was hoping to see more golf as the week went on, maybe even get to ''marshal'' a little bit, more on that later.