The Memorial

Spring of 2002 was my first spring as a college student. That spring was also when I joined a sorority, and the first year I went to The Memorial with my dad.

The Memorial is Jack Nicklaus' golf tournament. He designed the golf course, and it sits right here in Central Ohio. 

Side note: The house I grew up on was on a golf course. This golf course hosts an LPGA tournament every year, of which I have been to almost every year. I even volunteered a few years. I started golfing when I was about 6 years old. My dad is a huge golfer, and has been since he was 11. We would compete in parent-child tournaments every year. There is a history of golf between my dad and I. 

I think this was first place my freshman year of high school.

That first year I went the tournament the weather was absolutely terrible. It was raining and actually cold out. But I had the best time of my life. And ever since then, my dad and I have gone to the tournament every year (I even made the trip home when I lived in PA for two years). This year was no exception, and the weather was perfectly fabulous. 

One of my dad's college friends works for the PGA, and a few years ago he moved back to the Central Ohio area. Ever since then we have not only gotten tickets into the tournament, but access to some of the hospitality houses on the course, which include food and drinks. 

Yes I took a few bites before I remembered to take a picture. 

They are super strict about pictures - if they even THINK you are trying to take a picture they will take your phone. So I don't have any pictures of the actual golf, but I was brave enough to take this one while I was relaxing a bit.

Yes, I have super pasty white legs.

This picture was taken about the time I saw Jack Hanna. He and his family rolled up on an 8 person golf cart and went into one of the houses that was behind me. I wanted SO badly to go say "hi" and meet him but I didn't have the guts (read: Not enough alcohol in me).

We walked around the course for a solid 4 hours and saw lots of golfers, some at multiple holes. It was a perfect day, and I felt like I got a solid workout in since that course is nothing but steep hills up and down. And although the beer was free, I only had a couple, because the sun was cooking me (yes I applied sunblock twice), and all I wanted was cold water. I actually paid $5 for a bottle of water. In my defense, I thought I was going to die of thirst, and was having hallucinations of ice cold water, so I kind of HAD to buy it. 

I had a great time, and I love spending the one-on-one time with him. Seriously this tournament is about the only time we do something together that doesn't involve my mom or sister, and I love it. Plus it's always nice to spend an amazing day outside watching world class golfers.

Have you ever been to a golf tournament? What did you think?