On Golf’s U.S. Open

My favorite golf tournament starts today at Bethpage – an American classic, the USGA U.S. Open. Take your pick: Father’s Day week, a standard of excellence, a tradition of greatness, the high rough, narrow fairways, tough pin placements, and ultra-slick greens – simply a measure of survival as winning requires strength, skill, stamina, intelligent course management, and exceptional execution.

The U.S. Open is our national championship that gives everyone a chance to earn their way by qualifying, which means a dream come true for a few – something they may never achieve in the future and possibly for only two days.

The U.S. Open is very demanding: a major test of mind, body, and skill. The conditions push the limits of the world’s best players, but within the rules of golf and the same for all. For the players who think it’s too demanding or even unfair, keep it in the fairway or don’t play. For spectators who miss a shootout of birdies, then don’t go or don’t watch.

The U.S. Open is about surviving to glory, but as no golfer wants this brutally on a regular basis. Even though I root for the course to bring the best players in the world to their knees, this is the one week a year I marvel at the skills rising to meet the challenge. So good luck guys and advance cheers to the victor. Well, as long as you’re over par.