Conference 7.286::golf

       OK.  These aren't necessarily the fastest/best directions from all
       points, but I'll keep 'em simple. 
       
       From the Mass Pike, Route 3 (north of Burlington, MA), or Rt 93
       (north of 128), to Route 128 (also called Rt. 95) and head south
       on 128/95.  Follow 128/95 south to Route 9 eastbound -- I dunno
       the exit number, but it's the first interchange after Rt 16 (east)
       in Newton (and about 2 or 3 miles south of the intersection of 128
       and the Mass Pike). 
       
       Follow Rt 9 eastbound to Hammond Pond Parkway.  This will be about
       4-5 miles, and you'll go straight through 3 traffic lights. About
       1/2 mile after the third set of lights, bear right at the off
       ramp, just beyond the shopping center that includes Milton's,
       Bloomingdale's (clothes), and Stop & Shop.  At the bottom of the
       ramp, turn right to go on Hammond Pond Parkway.
       
       Follow Hammond Pond Parkway to the end (less than 2 miles), and
       you'll come to a traffic circle.  (By this time., there will be
       _lots_ of signs for the Open, and probably _lots_ of traffic.)
       Take the road that's about 3/5 of the way around the circle
       (Newton St), and park at Putterham Meadows Golf Course a few
       hundreds yards ahead on the left.
       
       --Mr Topaz

  Rt. 128 to route 9, go east 3.2 miles to Hammond Pond parkway,
take a right and go to traffic circle, looks like you go 
straight thru circle (not literally!) and entrances to the Putterham
golf lot will be on your left soonafter.  Gate opens at 6:00
in  morning for practice rounds and traffic should be unbearable
during rush hour.  Last time I saw, Larz Anderson wouldn't be open
for parking, Allendale parking is just past Putterham on your right.

                     Good luck, and Hoagie and myself will be there
                     on Tuesday.
                                 When are you going Gene?
                         Robbie

    Didn't know exactly where else to ask this.  A friend and I will be
    attending the Wednesday practice round.  Is there any structure to
    these practice rounds or do the Pros just play when they feel like it?
    What time do they begin playing?  Any and all information will be
    greatly appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Peter

    
       Re: .3    The Globe published some practice tee times in
                 today's edition. Hopefully they will continue to do so.
                 It's only Monday and the press coverage of this has
                 been incredible so far.  A golfer's delight!!
    
    -rick

    Don't worry about getting lost. There are a lot of signs to get
    you there and cops every where to help you out. Piece of cake.
    
    Mike

       Some comments after today's practice round:
       
       - Parking isn't much of a problem.  Unless you arrive very early,
       you will probably be better parking at the Allandale Farm rather
       than Putterham -- to get to Allandale, continue beyond Putterham
       and bear left at the fork in the road (there will be lots of
       signs).  This afternoon, Putterham was filled (and people had
       parked along Hammond Pond Pkwy, a mile or more from the course).
       even though there were still lots of spaces available at
       Allandale. 
       
       - The concessions problems have apparently been fixed -- plenty
       of beer ($2 for a Bud, $2.50 for Beck's or Heineken) and soft
       drinks and lines weren't long.  One stand near the 18th also
       even had fresh lemonade.  No shortage of souveniers, either.
       US Open golf shirts for $34, and cashmere sweaters for a mere
       $250.  (For less than $20, you can get a visor, a hat, a towel,
       or a T-shirt.)
       
       - Don't pay too much attention to the tee times for the practice
       round listed in the paper -- the players certainly don't. 
       
       - As much as you're ready for the pros to play amazingly well,
       it's still incredible to see and admire their consistency.
       Tee shot after tee shot winds up in the fairway (none of which
       are too wide, thanks), and approach shots are true.  It's also
       a thrill to see stars like Ballesteros and Norman, to say nothing
       of Nicklaus and Watson.
       
       Best of all, by far, was the course itself.  What a magnificent
       sight.  The ninth hole is a marvel: a par-5, with a twisting,
       narrow fairway lined with trees and wilderness.  It can be reached
       in two, but only by starting with a drive that requires equal
       parts of daring and accuracy.  It's in fabulous shape -- the
       fairways are carpets, the rough is lush and consistent.  The
       greens are tiny, and they don't by any means always slope up from
       front to back.  The course is so beautiful that it's almost
       possible to forget that The Country Club is an exclusive bastion
       for the well-bred and wealthy -- several pros playing in the Open
       would not, under any circumstances, be admitted as members simply
       because they don't have the proper pedigree.
       
       Have fun,
       
       --Mr Topaz

	Could those of you who have been to The Country Club enter some
	comments on good spectating places/holes on the course.  Also
	any holes that you just skip.  Those of us who haven't yet gone
	would appreciate your experience.

	Thanks,
	Larry

  re .7 

>	Could those of you who have been to The Country Club enter some
>	comments on good spectating places/holes on the course.  Also
>	any holes that you just skip.  Those of us who haven't yet gone
>	would appreciate your experience.

	They are ALL nice ! We walked the entire course and every single
	tee area and green was packed (course the Norman, Nicklaus, Nelson,
	Graham foursome was the best !). We usually skipped most of the tee
	shots because on most of the holes you couldn't see it land anyway.
	And, besides, I could only take so much of seeing one rocket after
	another take off ! We also skipped most of the greens, except early,
	because they were mostly fooling around and not putting seriously.

	I mostly (really !) enjoyed watching the approach shots from the
	fairway, even though on a lot of holes you still couldn't see the
	ball hit the green... Another advantage to this approach is that
	most of the time you're in the shade ! So, if the weather is cooler
	when you go your strategy may differ...

	Anyway, I'm still in shock. I don't know whether to give up the game
	entirely or start playing seven days a week ! Those players are
	amazing....

	P.

    I went yesterday and had a great time.  
    
    Some good places to watch are:
    
    	10th:	Left side of fairway which is straight but has a hill
    in the middle.  It is a par 4, so the tee shot is blink and lands
    around the top of the hill.  You can stand 250 yds from the tee
    and see the tee shots, then move about 75 yds down the fairway and
    watch the 2nd shots to the green.
    
    	11th:  This is parallel to the 10th and is the par 4 that was
    made out of a short par 4 and a par 3.  Stand on either side of
    the fairway 250-300 yds down from the tee.  You won't be able to
    see the tee, but have a good view of the 2nd shot which is a about
    a 4 iron over water to a small well protected green.
    
    	14th:  Get on the right side of the fairway 250-300 yds down.
    This gives you a good view of a long 2nd iron shot to the green.
    
    We were watching at this point on the 14th yesterday when Nicklaus
    and Norman came thru.  Norman hit a massive iron shot that landed
    on the green  and rolled into some rough which was just beyond the
    back fringe.  He made a shot out of the rough and the ball came
    out of the rough and rolled well past the pin.  Some guy in the
    crowd said something to Norman like "Hey Greg, that wasn't very
    good".  Norman then turned around, pointed at the guy and invited
    him to try the shot.  They guy comes out and Norman drops a ball
    in the rough where he shot it from and then STEPS ON THE BALL.
    Norman hands him his club and crowd starts going nuts.  The guy
    made a nice shot which ended up about 5 feet from the cup (better
    than Greg's).  Then Norman gives the guy a low-five and then a 
    high-five.
    
    tim