This
week I have the privilege of working the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
at Martis Camp in Truckee, California.
I am an invited official and will walk with groups on Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
This experience is extremely special for me for several reasons. First, this is my first USGA
championship as an official and I’m extremely excited to have been invited to
work as a referee and observer. In
my line of work, it doesn’t get much better. Secondly, I am now twelve years removed from my own USGA
championship experience. In 2001, I
qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur and the event changed my golf career for
the better in so many ways. There
really is no championship experience that is any better for a junior
golfer. It is an honor for me to
give back to the championship that I so greatly benefitted from in my own
junior career.
This
year’s site is Martis Camp. Martis
Camp is a unique experience in and of itself. I will preview the week in the following article and will
continue to update everyone throughout the week.
The Junior Amateur Experience
I
arrived on Friday and beginning preparing for the week. In the days that followed I made my way
around the course to become familiar with the various situations that could
occur, and to figure out the best way to walk the course. Tonight, however, were two special
events (at least for me) that sum up the championship experience.
First
was the Rules meeting. For NCGA
Championships we prepare with a brief meeting for officials on the morning of
the event. We covered various
procedures including pace of play, discontinuance of play and TIO’s. I did not realize how little experience
I really had with TIOs until this briefing. If I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to have TIO rulings I will
be sure to share.
The
best part of the evening was the player’s dinner. Twelve years ago I was on the player’s side of this
wonderful experience. At the
opening of the dinner the player’s arrive in a processional led by a bagpiper
to a standing ovation from the entire Committee, family and guests. It is truly amazing and I caught a
small video of it for everyone here:
The Course
I
don’t think any of my pictures can truly do this venue justice.
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| The 3rd Hole - Includes One of Two Drop Zones on the Course |
The course is in absolutely immaculate condition and will be
a true test of golf for the best juniors in the world.
 |
| Walking Up the 5th Hole |
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| A View of the 9th Hole |
There are all kinds of various situations out there,
including environmentally-sensitive areas, rock trench obstructions, TIOs and
of course – television cables.
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| ESA on the 12th Hole |
The Assignment
For
those that will follow the blog my week is currently scheduled as follows:
Monday – Running US Amateur Qualifying at nearby Schaffer’s
Mill. I will blog about
interesting rulings following the event.
Tuesday – Walking Referee with an afternoon grouping.
Wednesday – Walking observer with my boss as the referee in
the Round of 64.
Thursday – Walking observer in the final match of the afternoon with “The
Voice” as the referee.
Friday – Walking observer in the second semi-final match.
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