So, I ended up going to that golf tournament over in Napa. Heard about it a while back, thought, why not? Napa’s usually pretty nice, though honestly, sometimes the wine crowd gets a bit much. Decided to make a day of it.
Getting there wasn’t too bad, actually. Left early enough to beat the worst of the traffic heading north. Found the place okay, parking was… well, parking at these events is always a bit of a zoo, right? Paid more than I wanted, hiked a bit. Standard stuff.
Getting Onto the Course
Had my ticket already, so getting in was smooth. First impression? Lots of people. Way more than I thought there’d be for a Thursday or Friday, whenever it was I went. The course itself looked amazing, though. Greener than green, you know? They keep these places looking perfect.
Started just wandering around. Didn’t have a specific group I had to follow. Watched a few guys tee off on one hole, then walked over to see some putting on another. It’s different seeing it live compared to TV. You really get a sense of how far they hit it, and how tricky the greens actually are.
Watching the Pros (Sort Of)
Saw a couple of names I recognized. Can’t say I’m a huge golf nut who knows everyone, but you see the famous guys sometimes. Mostly, I was just watching the shots. Some were incredible. Landed the ball exactly where they wanted it. Others… well, they hit bad ones too. Shanked one into the trees not far from where I was standing. Makes them seem a bit more human, I guess.
- Walked probably five or six miles, easily.
- Grabbed a bite to eat. Typical event prices, meaning expensive. Basic burger and a drink cost a small fortune.
- The weather was decent. Sunny, but not crazy hot, which was good.
The crowd vibe was okay. Mostly people just enjoying the day, pretty respectful. You get the occasional loudmouth, but mostly fine. Following a specific popular player was tough, though. Big crowds jostling for a view. I found it easier to just pick a spot on a hole and watch whoever came through.
Napa Scenery vs. Golf Crowds
It’s kind of funny being in beautiful Napa Valley, surrounded by vineyards and hills, but you’re packed in with thousands of people staring at little white balls. A bit of a contrast. Didn’t do any wine tasting or anything, just focused on the golf event. Maybe next time.
Overall thoughts? It was an alright day out. Saw some good golf, got some exercise walking the course. Was it mind-blowing? Nah. These events are often more about the atmosphere than seeing every single shot perfectly. Glad I went, checked it off the list. But dealing with the crowds and the prices always reminds me why watching from my couch is sometimes just easier. Still, seeing those pros up close for a bit was pretty cool.
