Australian Masters 2009, Kingston Heath GC Options

[Collo1992]

So im making the trip to watch the golf at Kingston next week and im very keen!!! this will be my first tournament watching and would just like to know from you WRXrs who have attended tournaments before what the secrets are to get the best positions to watch the big names. also best ways to get autographs????? im thinking practice round for autographs??????

[bogey train]

When ive watched the big tournaments its best to accept that you wont see every shot of tigers or any other player so best to postion yourself at about 3-4 holes over the course of their rounds
i.e. go to the second and watch about 3-4 groups come through, you will be in a good spot for when tiger comes through
then go ahead about 4 holes and do it again
then onto say 10-12 etc etc
at least you will see a couple of holes at the front of the ropes

Another good tip is to go to the practice range for a while you will see and learn from a lot of good golfers on hitting and practice

Get a course guide and program and plot your day

enjoy the occasion

[anth]

You can probably forget about getting Tiger's autograph but you can get other players. Over the years at the Masters and the (now defunct) Heineken Classic I got the following autoghraphs: Els, Badds, Adam Scott, Rod Pampling and Peter Lonard.

Most playesr will be happy to scribble their name after they have submitted their card. Sometimes they organise a signing and you have to line up, other times you can approach the player as they leave the scorer's room. Just be polite and most golfers will give you their autograph. Some will say no and you have to respect that and move on.

[playmuch]

I reckon the best spot is behind the range watching them hit balls.
Sometimes the best thing to do is follow the lesser know players, not the Tiger woods like. It's a mad house.

[Rudders]

So im making the trip to watch the golf at Kingston next week and im very keen!!! this will be my first tournament watching and would just like to know from you WRXrs who have attended tournaments before what the secrets are to get the best positions to watch the big names. also best ways to get autographs????? im thinking practice round for autographs??????

I'd tell you to go watch Pampling play, but he's playing with Woods and that's ALWAYS a mad house. IMO, this is a very good pairing for Woods; he and Pampling are friends and Rod will keep the first two rounds light with some banter and family talk. I'm happy; at least I'll get to see some of Rod's shots here on the Golf Channel, since they'll have every angle of Woods covered, including the release of noxious gases into the atmosphere.

At least in the States, you can't get anywhere near Woods if you do the hole by hole walking thing; the crowds are usually lined up five deep along the sides of the fairways and the greens. So, if you want to watch Woods, find a spot early and stay there. You'll get your 2-3 minutes of "contact" and that'll be your day.

Now, what I might do? If you want to follow Woods, find some high spots around the course and walk and watch from those. Course I'd be watching Pampling and not Woods. My best advice; tape the event and go and find someone else to follow. You'll have a much better time and get some closer looks as to that player/players swings.

Autographs? Only (with an aside) on practice days. During the competitive rounds, most won't sign until after they finish playing. And some won't even do that. BUT there are exceptions. Best bet? Go with the practice rounds.

Have fun. And enjoy the day, though I understand that the area has had some much needed rain over the past couple of days.

[anth]

No rain here mate.

Maybe Sunday

[Rudders]

No rain here mate.

Maybe Sunday

Quoting an email from a friend in QLD. After map looking, guess it's a long way, and several weather patterns, to Melbourne.

[anth]

Yep very long way. We've pretty much had a drought for the last decade. Northern NSW recently had more rain in one day than we've had in a year.