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 But when Woods burst onto the scene and shed his horn-rimmed glasses for the Nike swoosh, golf became cool. In 1999, he and his team at IMG dreamed up an event intended to grow the game by broadcasting it in prime time. I was psyched to see that my sport had finally “arrived.” Golf was finally cool, and I could look back at all the high school no-necks and say, “told you so.” This year, I attended the final installment of the “Battle at the Bridges,” ABC’s golf version of “Monday Night Football.” The ratings for the event have dipped in recent years, but the event never lost its luster for me. Who can resist golf under the lights and players with microphones? As I found out, these madefor-TV events aren’t always made for spectators. 3:43 p.m. — Woods, John Daly, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen are taking their warm-up time seriously. Not much small talk on the putting green. I’m downwind of Daly’s Marlboro and I think Ian Baker Finch bumped into me. I notice that Woods marks his ball with a Sharpie. Isn’t he the only guy playing a Nike with his name on it? 3:57 p.m. — Let the game begin! A booming voice on the PA system reminds everyone to turn off their cell phones. 4:20 p.m. — The Bridges is a spectacular course, but not a spectator-friendly one. In an effort to catch some action, I’m heading to the third fairway where I’ll hang out in the shade and await the foursome’s tee shots. Now, all I have to do is find where 320 yards from the tee is. 4:33 p.m. — My strategy worked, sort of. I must have been standing about 290 yards from the tee, because the first two shots air-mailed me by 30 yards. I run up to the bunker where Woods hit his ball. He blocked it to the right … just like me. I am Tiger Woods! 4:41 p.m. — I hope Woods doesn’t shank it like me, too. I’m standing about 10 feet in front and to the right of his ball in the bunker. He’s got about 110 yards to the green. With a sudden coil and release, the ball sails above the lip of the trap and lands somewhere. I can’t tell because I just got sprayed in the face with sand. 5:45 p.m. — Daly chunks his tee shot on the par-3 eighth hole. Murmurs of “he’s jetlagged” echo through the crowd. (Daly played 36 holes the day before in Germany.) 5:58 p.m. — Goosen is told to “hold on a minute.” He backs away from his putt for a commercial break. And you thought playing with Ben Crane could throw off a golfer’s rhythm. 6:47 p.m. — I watch the action from the 11th tee box. After Goosen drains his birdie putt, Woods pulls a Mick Jagger (lip out). Woods and Daly are 3 down with seven holes to play. A switch is thrown and massive lights illuminate the final few holes, although there’s no need. There’s still plenty of sunshine. 7:21 p.m. — Surrounded by a couple of Margarita-swigging fans, I’m almost struck by the drive of — who else? — Woods. Again, I have the perfect vantage point to watch his approach to the green. He’s about 120 yards out, with his ball sitting down in the rough. He pulls out a sand wedge. I’m thinking lay-up shot. He’s thinking about holing it. He swings, and a slight grunt accompanies his follow through. I mutter, along with my new best friends, “nice shot.” He says, “thanks guys,” and strides away. 7:36 p.m. — Mickelson and Goosen are 4 up on the 14th green. Dormie. And they’ve yet to reach a hole that’s under the lights. 7:50 p.m. — Finally, lights, cameras, action! Well, until I reach the illuminated 15th green just in time for another commercial break. So what do pro golfers do during a TV timeout? Woods and Daly stood side by side, not saying anything. Goosen stood by himself, not saying anything. Mickelson stood by himself and practiced his putting stroke. I wonder what they were thinking. Probably not what I was: Woo hoo! The lights are on! We’re in prime time now! 7:55 p.m. — The lights go off. Goosen drained his birdie putt. Game, set, match. Crushed, I start the long trek back to the clubhouse. Tonight, the losers of this tournament will make as much money as most Americans do in four years. I need to work on my golf swing. N ANNE QUAST SANDER’S GOLF ACCOMPLISHMENTS • U.S. Women’s Amateur champion: 1958, 1961 and 1963; finalist: 1965, 1968 and 1973. • U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur champion: 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1993. • U.S. Girls’ Junior semifinalist and medalist: 1952. • British Women’s Amateur champion: 1980. • Women’s Western Amateur champion: 1956, 1961 and 1988; finalist: 1955. • Women’s Western Junior Girls’ champion: 1954; finalist: 1955. • North and South Women’s Amateur Champion: 1982 and 1983; finalist: 1987. • Women’s South Atlantic Golf champion: 1956. • Helen Lee Doherty Invitational champion: 1957. • Hollywood Women’s Invitational Four-Ball champion (with Ruth Jessen): 1956. • Washington State Women’s Golf Association champion: 1955 and 1956. • Washington State Junior Girls’ champion: 1952, 1954 and 1955. • Curtis Cup team member: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1968, 1974, 1984 and 1990. • World Amateur team member: 1966, 1968 and 1988. |
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