The "Headlines of the U.S. Woman's Open" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The U.S. Woman's Open golf tournament is in full swing in Lancaster County and our local newspaper seems to have it covered from the food that is served to the security that is being offered to keep those who travel to the event safe.  Monday thru Wednesday were practice days with yesterday being the first round of competition that will lead to the champion being crowned late Sunday afternoon.  A few of my friends have volunteered to help with the historic event for Lancaster, Pennsylvania while a few others were or will be in attendance during the event.  A couple of these friends will share with me, and in turn you, through their stories and photographs, the excitement and fun that is the U.S. Woman's Open.  But, for today, I will give you some of the headlines offered in the Lancaster newspaper and a small taste as to what the story behind the headline really was . . . .

1. "All Eyes On Open" was the headline, but featured two stories about the major event that Lancaster was hosting this week.  One story was about the 100,000 golf fans that were expected to attend the event while the other story was about Lancaster being able to give the TV viewers another chance to see Lancaster much like it did during the movie Witness.
2. "Park in major mindset" was the headline that talked about the golfers, but primarily about Inbee Park, two-time Open champion, and what she thinks of Lancaster Country Club where the event is being  held this year.
3. "Lancaster's moment, even if whole world's not watching" was the headline that asked if anyone can remember where the Open was played last year and will there be as big a TV audience as there will be for the men's British Open in the near future.
4. "Inside the ropes" was the headline that gave a look at our children's perspective of the Open.  This past Wednesday was known as Junior Day when kids could walk the course with a favorite female golfer and see them in a different light.
5. "Caddie works family time into Open" was the headline and featured Gregory Johnson who works for Christie Kerr, has been a caddie for about 30 years and has family in Lancaster County.
6. "Officials pleased with course on eve of tourney" was the headline which said the USGA officials were happy with the course even though Lancaster has experienced a couple of wet weeks leading up to the tournament.  Yesterday play had to be stopped because of a bad storm that went through the county.
7. "Spectators barred from bringing certain items" was the headline that told of food, posters and even cameras being banned from the golf course.  Naturally there were also things such as weapons, explosives, computers and tablets, backpacks, signs or banners, coolers and the dangerous ladder.
8. "Opening round thrills" was the headline on a half-page leaflet on the front page that had a subhead of For 52 golfers and an excited county, today brings the first taste of US Women's Open action.  The story featured a TV schedule, online coverage and colored drawings of each hole with naturally a sponsor for each hole.
9. "Perfect Opening Tee" was the headline which talked about the entire event that is being played on the course designed by legendary golf course designer William Flynn 95 years ago.
10. "Public savors first chance for up-close look at players" was the headline.  It talked about the interaction between the women golfers and the crowds that are attending the practice days.  The golfers were more than willing to pose for photos and sign just about anything that was held in front of them.
11. "The unusual life of a 17-year-old in the US Women's Open" was the headline that explored what it is like for Mariel Galdiano of Hawaii to play on the woman's golf tour.  She will play in her third U.S. Open!
12. "Predictions for the top of the Open leaderboard" was the headline that gave a few predictions as to who may win the Open.
13. "Favorite Fans" was the headline which talked about spectator turnout and support for the women golfers.  The pros have been wowed by Lancaster's attendance at both the practices and the start of the tournament.
14. "Lewis' game rolling, but wins elusive" was the headline that featured Stacy Lewis and how the seven-year pro has not won a tournament recently even though she has finished in the top 10 in eight of 14 tournaments.
15. "Weather Or Not" was the headline of a story that talked about the meteorologist that follows the women's golf tour and helps predict what the weather will be like for the competition.
16. "US Women's Open fits Lancaster to a tee" was the editorial headline that welcomed the woman golfers to Lancaster Country Club and the U.S. Woman's Open.
17. "Keeping Open Secure" was the headline which talked about how the 75,000 to 100,00 expected golf enthusiasts who will visit the Lancaster Country Club during the U.S. Open will be kept under control and safe during the week.
18. "What's for lunch at US Open? Depends on who you are" was the headline that told of the 3 head chefs, 4 food-storage tractor-trailers, 80 servers and bartenders and 100 plus people who would be serving food at the US Open.
19. "She knows golf spectators' tastes" was the headline that talked about Minnesotan Renee Capra who has been serving food at tournaments around the country for more than a decade.
20. "Open Before Dawn" was the headline that paid tribute to all the grounds crew members who start their day as early as 4 a.m. to prepare the course for tournament play.
21. "Park Place: A really hot commodity" was the headline that described the transportation needs of the tournament and how the neighbors around the Lancaster Country Club hoped to cash in on parking spaces on their property.

Hey, I must have missed quite a few others, but I'm sure you're sick of all the headlines by now.  Not sure what would have filled our newspaper had it not been for this golf tournament coming to town.  I must admit I read all the stories and enjoyed everyone of them, since the writers for our local paper are great columnists.  A few of them are friends and others were students of mine years ago.  And, speaking of students of mine, my favorite US Open story in our newspaper was written by a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter who wrote about men's professional golfer Jim Furyk and his unique viewpoint on the tournament and on the Lancaster Country Club.  Seems that when Jim was a student at Manheim Township, where I taught, and a member of the golf team, he played all his practice rounds and matches at the LCC back in the late 1980s.  I will always remember Jim as a great baseball player as well as a great golfer.  He played baseball with my oldest son and was the catcher when my son pitched.  They made a great team and won many ball games during the years they played together.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   PS - You may be able to read some of the headlines and stories by checking out: www.lancasteronline.com