The Travelers Championship   June 22, 2024   Saturday

Again weather played a major part in today's proceedings, resulting unfortunately in an abbreviated experience walking inside the ropes with the top player in the world.  I was assigned to Scottie Scheffler and Akshay Bhatia at our 7am meeting, my crew consisting of 2 experienced Mobiles, Julia and Dan, who would need no training other than some strategizing for the best coverage hole by hole, recognizing where we were needed and not duplicating the roles of the hole marshals already in position.  

I was able to successfully transfer some guest passes to my nephew Adam and his friend Justin for Sunday.  Still finding the digital ticketing process complicated, but big thanks to Jeff for his help.  An even bigger thanks to him for swapping my radio earpiece to something more comfortable.  Jeff, you are a master technical wizard!  

Scottie and Akshay didn't tee off until 1:50pm, the second to last group for the day, both having a great championship so far.  The round started out with what seemed to be an abnormally high amount of heckling directed toward Scottie, most of it indecipherable, some references to his recent arrest could be heard.  Makes you wonder why someone would be impelled to bellow such nonsense at a professional sporting event, when everyone else in the gallery can hear and see who is being such a nitwit.  I spoke with the police officer accompanying our group; he seemed unfazed, stating the inebriated knuckleheads generally aren't able to keep up the walking pace with the players, especially in the heat, and end up just parked near a watering hole.  

I found myself marveling at Bhatia's play, especially given his 130 pound physique, hitting 300 yard drives in his attempt to keep up with Scottie.  'Shay is an excellent guy to be close to inside the ropes as well.  Scottie's game is outstanding as everyone knows, but to have the privilege of witnessing it, and playing a small part in facilitating the optimal playing environment is beyond words.  We only got to spend 8 holes with them, however, as the hazardous weather horn blew at 3:30.  Thankfully, carts were right behind #8 green, so the players, caddies, and cops were quickly transported back to the clubhouse.  We had a blessedly short walk to the volunteer villa, which actually felt too cold, so I sat outside and was joined by my crew from yesterday, the 3 C's!  They seemed to be still buzzing from our experience.  We were all checking our weather apps, the yellow-orange storm stretched clear across the map looking pretty intense.  I told them all we're about to get slammed, so I headed for my car, sprinting the last hundred yards as it intensified.  Spent the next 2 hours waiting it out through heavy rain, wind, lightning, thunder, and another tornado warning, monitoring my radio for notification of resumption of play. I finally texted Greg when play resumed as 6:40 to see if my services were still needed, but there were relatively few spectators remaining, so no need for gallery marshaling.

 

Today's total:

14,349 steps

5.3 miles

10.5 hours at TCC