The FM Championship   Saturday   August 31, 2024

Well, no overnight email about my assignment for today left me wondering if this was just an oversight, or a symptom of a new tournament not quite getting all of the details together.   I texted Chewie who responded that Larry would get me out on the course "somehow".  Kind of vague, but I made the 75 mile drive on faith, figuring if there really wasn't a need for me to serve as a walking scorer today, I could at least jump in to help as a hole marshal with one of my buddies.  On arrival at scoring HQ, Mike May was reassuring, saying I was one of his best guys and they definitely had a spot for me.  He complimented me on handling the scoring perfectly, no errors/corrections, and that I was one of his best guys.  He confessed to me that he was dismayed by the FM scheduling system was this loose and was impressed that I had shown the initiative to reach out and then actually showed up!  Evidently, there had been some scorers who were one-and-done's earlier in the week.   

Larry set me up for an 11 am tee time with Gaby Lopez and Jennifer Chang.  Two scorers would be going out together as a double check system to reduce the number of errors which had evidently been occurring to date.  I would be handling the device and radio while Donna, a TPC member, would corroborate using a paper scoring system.  I was a little skeptical that such a degree of oversight was unnecessary, but Mike said the LPGA and Golf Channel was shooting for an error free event from all its scorers.   We would also have a standard bearer, Tiger, who I initially had some concerns about, him being only 13, a native of China, with ESL.  Turns out he was excellent at keeping right on top of our player's leaderboard standings, making the necessary changes without me or Donna having to feed him the numbers.  Great kid!  We complimented ourselves on having a triple-check system here!  Donna was very nice, soft spoken, efficient, in keeping with her background as corporate lawyer at a Boston pharmaceutical company, specializing in intellectual property.  She'd evidently never worked a professional tournament other than scoring for the past two days, and was a reassuring presence. 

 I was fully aware of the time sensitive nature of making accurate scoring entries which were then sent to LPGA and Golf Channel for broadcast and on-course leaderboard posting.  We were able to develop a relaxed routine, which then allowed us to also enjoy the experience of being in the moment with these players.  We were also able to chat about our backgrounds, PGA experiences, and TPC membership including playing the course.  Keeping track of only two players versus three was also less taxing, involving less walking as well, trying to view each player's shot situations.  It was also nice to take a seat occasionally as hole marshals would kindly offer their chairs to us for a short rest.  

At the 18th tee we had an exceptionally long wait and I'd been debating whether to introduce myself to Jennifer Chang, who had a USC logo on her bag.  I was well aware of our directive to not distract players unnecessarily but the round was almost over, and she was not in serious contention.  She was completely receptive to meeting a fellow alum, becoming quite animated about it.  After a couple of comments, I excused myself to let her get back to her job and tee off.  As we walked off the tee, she came up to me and resumed our chat about our respective USC experiences, talking the entire way to her ball.  There really is something about being members of the Trojan Family!  

Jenn subsequently needed me to call in for a rules official as she her second shot had landed near the cart path, affecting her stance.  Her next shot ended up with interference from the 18th grandstand, necessitating another call by me for the official.  She thanked me for making both calls for which I was glad to help.  At the scoring tent, I rectified the device with the scorers, perfect.  We all received signed balls from Gaby and Jennifer, and thanks from both and their caddies as well.  

Once again at Scoring HQ I tried to nail down an assignment for Sunday, but was informed that the schedule would not be determined until the end of play, but that I would receive an email later to night.  Mike May verbally reassured me I would definitely be scheduled, since "We need guys like you!"           By 10 pm, no email.