Daily Log - Wednesday

 7:59 AM

Shuttle bus driver waves while she passes me as I’m sprinting across the parking lot. I’m now contemplating my entire life’s poor decisions.  

9:03 AM

Arrive at Southern Hills. Very sticky. It’s going to be a hot one.

9:20 AM

Breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, tater tots, banana and chocolate donut. Down the hatch with a black coffee.

9:45 AM

I step outside the Media Center, walk across the outdoor tennis courts and run into Cary Cozby (Director of Golf, Southern Hills CC). He offers to give me a lift to where I need to go. He will never understand my appreciation.

9:55 AM

I catch up with Talor Gooch as he practices around the 11th green. This is my favorite corner of the property and could play a pivotal role in the championship. From there, I start off toward the 16th tee box. A young fan stands alone with a commemorative flag full of Sharpie scribbles.

“What’s the best signature you have on there?” I ask.

“Oh, Max Homa FOR SURE,” he replied.

11:00 AM

Gooch has made his way to the 16th tee with Mal Baker (caddie) and a handful of Malapeños (tight-knit fans). He’s playing by himself today. The only Oklahoma-born and bred competitor in the field, he’ll surely have a strong contingent following him each day. After a couple swings off the tee, he starts off down the perfectly manicured fairway. The young fan with the signed flag runs ahead 50 yards along the left ropes, patiently waiting to catch the pro’s attention. To his disappointment, Gooch has veered off to the right side to sign autographs. Credit to him, he patiently waits and hopes as Talor finishes up on the far side and turns to find his tee shots.

A Good Samaritan catches his attention, and credit to Talor, he walks back across the fairway to fulfill the young patron’s request of a signature on his flag. He’s just that kind of guy.

11:45 AM

I’m dreading the climb back to the top of the hill, looking for any excuse to postpone the daunting task a little bit longer. I’m at the 7th tee box, which is 1,000 yards away and more than 100 feet in elevation below the Media Center. Instead, I decide to meet up with a few friends and catch Rory’s tee shot on No. 2. He looks to be in good form, driving the ball no less than 345 yards just beyond the large tree that center cuts the fairway.

12:15 PM

The time has come. I can no longer put off my climb. It takes maybe 10 minutes to clear the top of the grandstands on the hill behind the 18th green, and I stand at the top catching my breath and mentally patting myself on the back as if I’ve just summitted Everest. Into the cool, crisp, conditioned air of the Media Center, I barely have time to grab a water and a banana before my father texts me. He wants to meet by the concession stand just off the 10th fairway. I offer a compromise – meet me at the base of the grandstands.

1:00 PM

Dad is enjoying his time at Southern Hills. His tickets were a 60th birthday present from his favorite son. I’m back in the Media Center, having summitted Grandstand Everest for the second time in less than an hour.

1:30 PM

I meet Matt Hahn (freelance photographer) for lunch. Sandwiches, little round potatoes and more water. Matt is flying out tonight after three days on property. He is a tremendous drone pilot / photographer / videographer and has a summer schedule that any Tour pro would shy away from.

2:00 PM

Try to write, but I keep catching myself eavesdropping on other media members’ small talk. It’s so freaking cool that I get to do this.

2:30 PM

I catch an early shuttle back to the media hotel. So early, in fact, that I’m the only person on the giant motorcoach besides Scott (driver). We make good time, returning in less than 25 minutes.

3:30 PM

There’s not a terrible amount of traffic on the road and I find myself at American Solera half an hour early. I’m here for our Champ Week Happy Hour with Holderness & Bourne, and while we had a great response when promoting the event, I’m always nervous to see if people will actually show up. On the way over, the Goodyear Blimp was racing toward downtown, presumably to shoot some b-roll for the championships.

4:30 PM

They showed up. Big time. In less than two hours, the brewery sold out of six-packs of its limited-edition Hills Pils. Representation from Southern Hills, Tulsa Country Club and Golf Club of Oklahoma made it. Even a fellow media colleague found his way out (S/O Kyle Porter). For the next five or so hours we hang out, drink good beer and talk golf.

10:00 PM

Back home. Need to do laundry. Need to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.