US Open    June 17, 2018    Day 4

The overnight crisis for the USGA was on full display when I arrived at Shinnecock at 9:30am.  The course was drying out and the warm, breezy weather forecast for today meant that there was a possibility the course could be "lost" with conditions making the putting surfaces unplayable.  This situation had been discussed endlessly in the weeks leading up to the Open, with much reference to the infamous 2004 Championship, when several greens actually were unplayable, not holding balls and resulting in a major USGA black eye.  That wasn't going to happen this time, and yet, here were officials checking the 13th green next to the volunteer HQ, checking the moisture and roll, ultimately watering before play commenced.  Their efforts were successful but the tension in the air was palpable.

USGA staff checking 13th green speed with stimp meter 

13 need to be hand watered to slow down the crazy green speed

Tony Finau about to tee off on first hole

Having no confirmation of an assignment as a forward marshal for today, I became a bit anxious waiting at the volunteer HQ for Brad, or anyone else who might be able to issue my credential for the day. Without that I had no walking authorization to be inside the ropes.  At various times I spoke to Captains Tom and Chuck, who said they'd see what they could do but then disappeared. This was not how I've been accustomed to volunteering, you know months in advance as to your assignment, whether it be at Deutsche Bank, Dell, Presidents Cup, or 3 prior US Opens, but never did I need to work the system to confirm my assignment like I was having to do here.  I'd been at the HQ for three hours, even calling Brad's cell and leaving a message with no response.  Finally when Brad showed up, I'm sure I was visibly relieved and he apologized for not getting my call.  He was extremely solicitous and immediately assigned me to the final pairing of the day, Tony Finau and Daniel Berger.  I was to be part of a 2-man volunteer crew for this pairing.  At the first tee, however, I was joined by two different guys in the 20's, both wearing USGA apparel and headsets, not part of the volunteer marshals.  They were to by my ''marshals'' for this pairing, although they admitted they had no marshaling experience.  It was basically like having two honorary marshals in tow, who I had to try to train on the fly, when both were more interested in an inside-the-ropes experience.  They eventually got with the program.

Even though Finau and Berger started out tied with DJ and Brooks Koepka, in the pairing just ahead of us, they eventually lost ground, and as a result, lost lots of gallery support.  We still had plenty of work to do keeping the crowd under control, but most had drifted up to walk with the eventual winner Koepka.  I had some excitement on 18 when Finau's drive went right, into the tall stuff, and resulted in a large search party of marshals, spectators, caddies, and players all wading through the knee-high fescue. The ball was eventually located by a tv spotter walking along with us, much to Tony's relief.  It was definitely anticlimactic as we finished on 18 green, Koepka having already sown-up the victory, with Finau and Berger going through the motions.   A USGA security chief commandeered about 20 of us marshals to form a rope line across the 18th fairway to prevent the spectators from coming up and over-running the green were the trophy ceremony was being set-up.  It soon became apparent that  this was unnecessary, at which point my buddy Brad came along and took me with him up to stand at the green amongst the assembled crowd of USGA officials, Shinnecock members, media, and the fans packed in the grandstands.  Pretty good stuff.   

The crowded scene at the 18th green

Brooks Koepka being interviewed by Todd Lewis of Golf Channel