The New York 7 - 2009 U.S. Open

usopen01, originally uploaded by robbie dee.

next week, we're taking a trip up to my home state of New York and I'm just gonna give y'all seven reasons why I'm excited to make the drive up north.

BTW, please pardon the creepiness of the pic above. however, take note of the background, which is the eighth hole of the Bethpage Black, home to this year's 2009 U.S. Open golf tournament.

we went in 2002 and it was so bad-ass. in '02, it was the first time a major golf championship was held on a public course. usually these kinds of things are reserved for the private clubs and the only people who would have experience w/ it are the pros. when the Open was previously @ Bethpage, it was so strange b/c most of the attendees there felt as if it was "their" course, as they've played it every weekend or slept in cars overnite to play. they knew the tricks, the nuances, and the yardage. many times, players would discuss strategies w/ their caddies, patrons would overhear these candid discussions, and they (as typical New Yorkers would) chimed in with their knowledge and insight, much to the chagrin of the experienced player.

it was the combo of that along with the fact that there is no crowd like a New York crowd for a major sports event. New Yorkers wear their passion on their sleeve and can easily get behind a player (i.e. Phil Mickelson) or tear a player apart (i.e. Sergio Garcia). it's an amazing and electric atmosphere for a sports event of that caliber and it makes you wonder who will be the player who earns that support or is on the receiving end of some good ol' fashioned New York 'tude.

w/ all of that said (and really b/c it's the main reason we're going), I bring you my #7 reason to be excited about our New York trip in a little over a week.