Early days at Open relaxing, fun time
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is really two events in one.
Monday through Wednesday are filled with practice rounds, pro-am tournaments, charity events and short lines at the concession stands and port-ajohns.
That's changes on Thursday, when the scores begin to count, and the crowds and the craziness swell into the
weekend.
In ways, they both represent Arizona.
We like a good party here, and the last four days of the tournament certainly provide that. The sun shines, the drinks flow and it takes the skills of Magellan to successfully navigate the seas of people in order to reach a destination.
We also like our quiet, relaxing times, and have whole communities and resorts devoted to that pursuit.
That’s what Monday through Wednesday at the Open is. Traffic is bearable. Parking doesn’t set nerves on edge. And the price on Monday and Tuesday -- free -- is right.
“There’s a certain buildup you feel inside this area,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Tuesday before taking part in a putting challenge to benefit Special Olympics. “The streets start to get a little more crowded. People talk about what they’re going to do this weekend. People from out of town are here talking about how excited they are. This is a special event that we should be proud of.”
Compared to the four days of the tournament, the first three days are a trip to your grandparents house. It’s quieter and has a different feel and smell.
That’s not to say it lacks entertainment. Over the years, the first three days of the tournament have produced plenty of headlines.
Three years ago, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald announced on Wednesday of the Open that he was returning to play another year.
Last year, the Diamondbacks announced early in the Open week they had signed Lovullo to an extension. Also last year, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson took the microphone on No. 16 to apologize to fans for requesting a trade the previous season.
And Diamondbacks pitcher Archie
Bradley’s golf clubs were stolen after he played in the Pro-Am on Wednesday.
That was an ongoing saga for a few days and resulted in the arrest of a man and the return of his clubs.
Bradley participated in two charity events on Tuesday, and was more anxious to focus on those than the story of his stolen clubs.
“I kind of expect to be here, in the most humble way,” he said. “This is a great event. Be here for Special Olympics, get to putt around, shake some hands, put some smiles on people’s faces is what we’re all here to do.”
Several people with Diamondbacks ties participated in Tuesday’s event, including first baseman Kevin Cron, who played at Mountain Pointe High and currently lives just a few miles from the TPC Scottsdale.
“Growing up here, I used to come here all the time,” said Cron, who lived in Dallas before returning to the Valley. “Parents would switch off on who had to take us. It’s always fun being out here.”
This is the first time Cron has experienced the Monday through Wednesday part of the tournament.
“Just seeing how many people show up for events like this is really, really special,” Cron said before the putting competition. “It’s really, really, really cool to see it for the first time.”
For the Diamondbacks contingent, the Open represents one of their last free weekends before the season starts.
The organization made some news Monday by trading with the Pirates for center fielder Starling Marte. That trade means Ketel Marte will be the team’s regular second baseman.
“It’s a ‘Marte par-tay,’” Bradley said. “We may come up with Marte 1, Marte 2. You know, maybe Thing One, Thing Two. We’ll figure it out.”
Last year, Lovullo sampled both sides of the tournament. He played in the proam on Wednesday, and he and his wife walked the course and watched the professionals the next two days.
“It’s a way for us to decompress,” he said. “It might be the last official relaxing event I can attend before the grind takes over. Spring training is right around the corner.”