As the The Open Championship comes to an end with a somewhat predicable winner it had me reflecting on the times I played in the event and then at the same time it had me looking forward to this week’s event for me – The Senior Open Championship.
When playing on the regular European Tour I was fortunate enough to play in a number of Open Championships and they still remain high on my list of favourite memories of my time on the “flat bellies” tour. The atmosphere is amazing. Pure silence as the knowledgeable galleries respectfully watch and analyse each shot – then the silence is punctuated by crowd roars that sound like no other tournament crowd. The courses are challenging (as they should be) and are always played at golf clubs steeped in tradition.
On the regular tour competition is fierce and as a player I was, like many others, caught up in the drive to be better…every week…every year. Sometimes the special nature of such moments can be overlooked.
Now on the Senior Tour, and having played in a number of Senior Open Championships, I think I appreciate even more the opportunity to play in such amazing events. Getting to play with the best seniors in the world always fires up one’s competitive juices. Each player in the field attacks the course with as much gusto, enthusiasm and competitiveness as we used to in the good old days but the difference is noticeable amongst all players…a genuine camaraderie and a genuine gratitude for playing in such prestigious events.
I am, as always, looking forward to this week’s Senior Open event. But it had me reflecting on the differences between the regular tour and the senior tour. The Senior Tour offers an opportunity to extend one’s playing career without the pressure of world rankings or the constant weekly grind on the practice range. On the Senior Tour the shortened week (only three rounds for each tournament – except for the majors) allows one to take time to “smell the roses”.
Sightseeing experiences at the beginning of a tournament is a regular topic of conversation amongst players at senior events. Sightseeing would rarely happen on the regular tour. An increased level of comradery on the senior tour is evident from your first event and grows stronger with every week and every year. Don’t get me wrong, I was lucky to make life long friends from the regular tours, but it just feels different on the senior tour. Without trying to sound mushy or nostalgic there is a level of gratefulness on senior tours. An opportunity to keep playing competitively, get some exercise, develop friendships, go to amazing places, see amazing things…and get paid for it! Playing the game for fun I think is something that makes senior events special to watch.
If you ever get a chance to go to one of the senior events on one of the major tours you will notice the difference. Yes – absolutely – of course – players want to play their best and win the tournament. But the atmosphere is different and as a spectator you will pick up on that.
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