gmhTODAY 26 gmhTODAY June July 2019 | Page 106

Don DeLorenzo it's your SWING Don has been the PGA General Manager of Gilroy Golf Course since 1985. He is a former winner of the Bill Stausbaugh award given by the PGA of America for excellence in education. He was named the 2014 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and was born and raised in Gilroy. WESTERN It's U.S. Open GOLF Time at Pebble Beach GETAWAYS A pproximately once every decade, residents, golfers and visitors of the Central Coast of California get to experience a true treat of a lifetime. The U.S, Open comes to Pebble Beach. It’s not a coincidence that “The Open” is played at Pebble more often than any other golf course. This will be the sixth time it has been hosted by Pebble Beach (1972-1982- 2000-2010-2019). This golf mecca, dubbed “the greatest meeting of land and sea” is truly the most spectacu- lar piece of real estate on the face of the Earth. Put on that piece of Earth, arguably the greatest golf course in the world, and you have the set-up for a spectacular golf championship. All you need now is the greatest players in the world to compete, and they do just that, to see who will be the champion of our United States Open. They will all be here to do battle. Tiger Woods, Phil Mikelson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson—you name him and he’ll be here. There will also be players you don’t know. The “Open” is just that. It is our country’s golf championship and it’s open to anyone who can make it through the grueling rounds of qualify- ing to get here. Even yours truly has tried to qualify (in my younger days) 106 but unfortunately to no avail. The U.S. Open started in 1895 at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. It was a one-day 36-hole tournament. It has been played every year since with the exception of 1917- 1918 (World War I) and 1942-45 (World War II). Pebble Beach has been the scene of some of the most dramatic moments of US Open History. Jack Nicklaus hitting the flagstick with a 210 yard 1 iron shot in the 1972 open. Tom Watson’s chip in on #17 at Pebble Beach to clinch the 1982 Open. Jack Nicklaus’s walk down the 18 th fairway in 2000 (his final US Open at Pebble Beach at age 60). And perhaps in the greatest win of his career, Tiger Woods‘ amazing 15-shot victory, also in 2000. What will happen in 2019? It’s anyone’s guess, but don’t miss out on a chance to view a part of golf history. So what’s in store for you this year as you make the trek to Pebble Beach? First of all go online and get your ticket. I can’t guarantee by the time you read this article that there will still be tickets remaining but I’m hopeful there will be. You will be directed to park at Cal State Monterey Bay where a shuttle bus will take you directly to the golf course. There you will be with a lot of GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN june/july 2019 “company.” Tens of thousands of golf fans will be attending the tournament every day. The good news is that Pebble Beach covers a lot of acreage so you can get pretty spread out. Do you want to follow your favorite player? Go to your favorite hole? Walk the entire course? Park in one spot and watch everyone? There is no wrong way or right way to watch a golf tournament. A trip to Pebble Beach isn’t complete without viewing the spectacular holes along the coastline. Venture your way out onto holes 8-9-10-11 for some fantastic views. But don’t miss out on holes 17-18 either. It will be very con- gested around the #1 tee and #18 green throughout the day, so pick a time when maybe some lesser known golfers are playing to get a good spot. For the true golf fan, the driving range is always a great spot to see the greatest players up close. There you can truly appreciate how long, straight and high the world’s best hit the golf ball. There are plenty of spots to eat and drink at the Open and lots of merchandise tents to satisfy your appetite for some US Open apparel. So don’t miss out on the world's greatest golf event to come to the Bay Area. Just remember your water bottle and some comfortable shoes. gmhtoday.com