Exciting Times in Tucson

Besides all the fun we have each day in the equipment room at McKale, there are always fun things to do in Tucson as well. Not only do we enjoy being able to play golf at some of the greatest golf courses in the country, we also enjoy watching the best golfers in the world play each February here in Tucson at the Accenture World Match Play Championship.

This year, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are not playing, which is a bummer, but it is good news too because the crowd yesterday for practice rounds were not near as crowded as when they are here. It is a great venue anyway for being able to get up close and personal with the golfers, but smaller crowds make it even better.

Wednesday, the official play starts for the Match Play Championship. We have two former Wildcats that will be competing in the event again, Jim Furyk, who is the #1 seed in the Sam Snead bracket; and Rory Sabbatini, who is the #13 seed in the Bobby Jones bracket. Hopefully they will meet in the Championship! Both guys are great people, and GREAT Wildcats.

Monday and Tuesday's practice rounds are the only day they allow cameras, so I thought I would share some pictures from yesterday.

Tim Pfennig enjoys some lunch from the Walter Hagen Hospitality tent on number 13 green:

View of the number 13 fairway from the Walter Hagen Hospitality tent. Spectators can enjoy live coverage of the event on the big screen TV while watching all the players come through this exciting par 5 hole:

Me with Ross Fisher, #5 seed in the Bobby Jones bracket:
View of number 13 green from the Walter Hagen tent:

Ben Crane interacts with the fans right off of number 10 green:

David Toms makes another appearance at this years event:

Henrick Stenson had had a lot of success in this tournament in the past:

Kenny Perry visits with people while working on the driving range:

Luke Donald talking to his caddie before hitting balls on the range:

Padraig Harrington works hard on the driving range:

Retief Goosen talking to the fans:

Steve Stricker working on the driving range:

Up close with Vijay Singh: