Jon Kiger: Pics and observations from Tournament Friday
With the prospect of rain for Saturday and Sunday it seemed like Friday afternoon would be the best chance to catch some of the competition. Josh Dunn, Mossy Daly, Mike OKeeffe, Pete Williams, Katie Stillwell and I decided to walk the course for a few holes. I must say seeing the crowds and players around bunkers I raked and divots I filled was a personal thrill. When youre out on the course alone its hard to visualize the end result of your work on the course during the tournament.
Every once in a while a tournament courtesy car (in this case a BMW) gets mixed in with the equipment caravan to the Palmer course.
Mossy Daly (from Co.Cork but currently at The Dutch Golf Club in the Netherlands) chats with a course marshal during competition. They see each other daily as he is coming in from mowing tees and the marshall is taking his perch for the day.
One observation of a difference between tournament golf in Ireland and the US is the primary lack of grandstands here. Golf is a walking game and spectators are expected to do the same. And this being Ireland, everyone has rain gear or an umbrella should the odd shower pop up (as they have every day so far.)
Crowds follow Tournament Host Rory McIlroy as he completes his round on Hole #9. He started Friday on Hole 10 since there was a full field.
More greenside action on Number 9 at the Irish Open.
There are more young people at this tournament than comparable events in the US. What a great way to grow the game organically by having kids see the best players around.
There was a threat of rain coming in around 4 PM but it wasnt as heavy as expected. Had play been suspended Friday they would have had to complete this final full-field round tomorrow. That would no doubt change our scheduling in the morning. Assuming the golf is completed today, we will be better off as a crew after the cut since there will be fewer golfers out on the course. The difference with Saturday/Sunday play however will be that all players will play from the first tee.
We are halfway through the competition. Everyone is still in good spirits as we approach the halfway point in the tournament.
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