Palm Harbor, Florida ….
We saw it at Torrey Pines, Riviera and two weeks ago at the Honda Classic.
And now after just a nine-hole practice round ‘Tigermania’s has gripped the Valspar Championship with the appearance in the event for a first time of Tiger Woods.
Woods arrived near lunch on Tuesday at the Innisbrook Resort course and after a warm-up session on the range he joined the immediate past 2016 US Ryder Cup captain in Davis Love 111 along with the 2018 captain in Jim Furyk and the near certain captain of the 2020 USA team, Steve Stricker playing the opening nine holes of the famed Copperhead course.
And while Furyk, Love 111 and Stricker, who won last week’s Champion’s Tour Cologuard Championship in Tucson it was Woods the fans flocked to the course to see.
Since Woods confirmation last Friday of teeing-up in this week’s $US 6.5m event event organisers have arranged for an additional 200 volunteers to work the tournament while finding two additional spectator parking areas for what is sure to be record crowds since the event was first staged in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic.
And journalist colleague, Rodney Page from the local Tampa Bay News has provied a do and don’t behaviour in following Woods over the hopeful four days.
Do…
Arrive early. Tiger tees off at 12:46 p.m. on Thursday, so it wouldn’t hurt to get to the course a few hours early. If you want a good spot for his first tee shot, stake your claim well before he tees off.
Don’t…
Be the one who yells ‘Get in the hole!” on a Par-5. It’s not going in the hole. You will also find yourself the wrath of fellow spectators.
Do…
Have patience. It’s going to be crowded, and everyone wants a peek. Understand that everyone wants an autograph, and Tiger only signs so many.
Don’t…
Turn your cell phone on. There’s nothing worse than hearing your “YMCA” ring tone while a player is putting. It’s like getting kicked out bad.
Do…
Pick a strategy. If you want to see every shot, then make sure you are either fast or tall. It might not be realistic, but it’s worth a shot. Or you could stake out a hole and wait for his group to come through.
Don’t…
Start moving to the next hole or down the fairway until everyone in the group has finished hitting. It’s hard enough playing with Tiger, and even harder with the extra noise.
Do…
Stay behind the ropes. There are a lot more ropes this year and the volunteers aren’t messing around.
Don’t…
Ask for a selfie with Tiger. Ain’t happening.
