When I first arrived I wandered over to the 10th tee and Ben Curtis was teeing off. Maybe 5 people watching him so I followed him for a while. Had to chuckle when one of the tournament guys asked him in-between holes if he'd mind posing for a snapshot with an older couple. He smiled for the pic, signed autograph's carried himself like a true champion.
Estoban Toledo was at the range banging away with Apache TourPrototype 65n's. As he left he did a short interview with a local TV stations, was signing autographs for a bunch of kids, and a lady asked him to sign the back of a program (which had a Buick ad with Tiger Woods) and he said "I don't sign Tiger Woods stuff" and carried on signing for the kiddies. I don't think he realized what she put in front of him because he seemed like a decent guy otherwise. The lady probably won't be a Estoban Toldeo fan, though.
It was cool to see the Tour guys playing/testing the shafts that we talk about all the time. I saw a lot of Apache 65n (Tour Prototype), Penley ETA 75's, Harmon, Aldila NV's and Fujikura's on the range. The Harrison guy was working very hard trying to get shafts into players' hands, too. Had about a doz. bright blue shafts and he was really working it.
Kenny Perry walked by, was struck by how physically fit he is. Thought he was a porker from the shots on TV, much better shape that TV shows. Very friendly persona, one of my new favorites.
Charles Howell III had some crazy golf gadget attached to his forearm while practicing iron shots. I felt much better about my collection of game improvement gadgets that I get tangled up in after I saw him. He has a beautiful swing and seemed to be quite friendly. Lots of folks wandered by to say hi. Rich Lerner from The Golf Channel was hanging out with his note pad. He was very respectful and waited for Charles Howell III to acknowledge him and invite him over to chat.
Practice day was a great experience, more fun than an many of the tournament's I've been to.
-- Thanks! John Muir http://clubmaker-online.com http://gripscience.com http://tourpure.com 810.923.7396
