From our resident DR1 golf expert, Hillbilly.
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Day one of the Cap Cana Pro-Am
The wind continued to play havoc with the players, both Professionals and amateurs. The first day say winds in excess of 40 KPH, and professionals the likes of Tom Kite saw balls into the Caribbean, driven by the very stiff winds.
Your DR1 reporter was assigned as a scorer for the entire event, traipsing along with a specific group and making that the scores of the group were reported to the central computing office via radio. This is an official PGA event, and that means that there is a strict protocol for using the radio. With 26 groups of threes the possibility of interference would increase enormously with improper of the radios. The scorer would say for example: ?Group 16, Hole 5, reporting scores.? Central would answer: ?Group 16, Hole 5, reporting sores.? The Scorer would then say, ?group 15 Hole 5, 4 4 3.? Central would answer once more, ?Group 16 Hole 5, 4 4 3.? And nothing more.
The protocol would be similar for medical emergencies or rules interpretation. Absolutely no chit-chat.
The scene at Punta Espada (see Bok?s Report in DR1 Golf) is one of awesome beauty. Even With threatening skies, really hard gusts, and the quick rain shower, the place is just beautiful. Of course it has been \manicured for the pros, and is in impeccable condition. One of the constant reminders of just how hard the folks at Cap Cana worked to do this is reflected in the comments of the players. From Chip Beck, Tom Watson, Bernard Langer, one and all have words of praise for the layout and the spectacular vistas of the sea.
A casual visitor would face some serious issues of security just to gain access to the place. Entry into Cap Cana is restricted, and no parking without a permit to the assigned parking lot is possible. The parking permits must be shown at all times. Then there are the day passes. Tickets with a string that must be visible while one is on the course, and the lack of a visible ticket will soon bring a large escort to the exit. However, at RD$1000 per day, the event is only attracting the people that love golf. And they are coming from all over.
In fact, tomorrow, a couple of guys from the North Shore are supposed to show up for duty on Friday. I think they will be somewhat overwhelmed at their assigned task, since they neither attended the Santo Domingo orientation or the one in Punta Cana. And everything is done the PGA way or it is not done. No matter, they will be welcomed and put to work somewhere..
The 400+ volunteers are a marvel to see. Students from Santo Domingo (Unibe and PUCMM), teens from the high schools, retirees, ex-pats, missionaries, you name it and there is sure to be one of them here.
As things turned out, your reporter was assigned to a starter?s post today, since there were not enough scorers to follow all the groups, they decided not to use them for the Pro-Am. It was a pleasure greeting champion golfers the likes of Ian Woosnam, Jim Albus, Dave Eichelberger, Garry McCord and John Cook. Later I n the day we greeted Tom Kite, Bernard Langer, and Sandy Lyle, among others. These three are winners of major tournaments?and a sight to watch.
Oh it is fun for those of us so sick in the head regarding golf, but it is also work. Our team leader and a few of us were on the course at 6 this morning and we finished, non-stop, at 4:40 as the last group passed or tee box. Tonight will be an early night, you can be sure?
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Day one of the Cap Cana Pro-Am
The wind continued to play havoc with the players, both Professionals and amateurs. The first day say winds in excess of 40 KPH, and professionals the likes of Tom Kite saw balls into the Caribbean, driven by the very stiff winds.
Your DR1 reporter was assigned as a scorer for the entire event, traipsing along with a specific group and making that the scores of the group were reported to the central computing office via radio. This is an official PGA event, and that means that there is a strict protocol for using the radio. With 26 groups of threes the possibility of interference would increase enormously with improper of the radios. The scorer would say for example: ?Group 16, Hole 5, reporting scores.? Central would answer: ?Group 16, Hole 5, reporting sores.? The Scorer would then say, ?group 15 Hole 5, 4 4 3.? Central would answer once more, ?Group 16 Hole 5, 4 4 3.? And nothing more.
The protocol would be similar for medical emergencies or rules interpretation. Absolutely no chit-chat.
The scene at Punta Espada (see Bok?s Report in DR1 Golf) is one of awesome beauty. Even With threatening skies, really hard gusts, and the quick rain shower, the place is just beautiful. Of course it has been \manicured for the pros, and is in impeccable condition. One of the constant reminders of just how hard the folks at Cap Cana worked to do this is reflected in the comments of the players. From Chip Beck, Tom Watson, Bernard Langer, one and all have words of praise for the layout and the spectacular vistas of the sea.
A casual visitor would face some serious issues of security just to gain access to the place. Entry into Cap Cana is restricted, and no parking without a permit to the assigned parking lot is possible. The parking permits must be shown at all times. Then there are the day passes. Tickets with a string that must be visible while one is on the course, and the lack of a visible ticket will soon bring a large escort to the exit. However, at RD$1000 per day, the event is only attracting the people that love golf. And they are coming from all over.
In fact, tomorrow, a couple of guys from the North Shore are supposed to show up for duty on Friday. I think they will be somewhat overwhelmed at their assigned task, since they neither attended the Santo Domingo orientation or the one in Punta Cana. And everything is done the PGA way or it is not done. No matter, they will be welcomed and put to work somewhere..
The 400+ volunteers are a marvel to see. Students from Santo Domingo (Unibe and PUCMM), teens from the high schools, retirees, ex-pats, missionaries, you name it and there is sure to be one of them here.
As things turned out, your reporter was assigned to a starter?s post today, since there were not enough scorers to follow all the groups, they decided not to use them for the Pro-Am. It was a pleasure greeting champion golfers the likes of Ian Woosnam, Jim Albus, Dave Eichelberger, Garry McCord and John Cook. Later I n the day we greeted Tom Kite, Bernard Langer, and Sandy Lyle, among others. These three are winners of major tournaments?and a sight to watch.
Oh it is fun for those of us so sick in the head regarding golf, but it is also work. Our team leader and a few of us were on the course at 6 this morning and we finished, non-stop, at 4:40 as the last group passed or tee box. Tonight will be an early night, you can be sure?