The "And ….. One final look at the Heroes of the Woman's Open through the eyes of a friend" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Had sent an email to my friend Mike who used to teach in the Manheim Township School District with me.  He had my oldest son while in 6th grade, and recently I was with my son Derek and grandson Caden at a baseball game when Mike appeared with his camera gear to take photos of the game for a local newspaper for whom he now works.  Got to reunite with my son and meet my grandson for the first time.  We talked about his current assignment and when I found out that he was taking photos at the Woman's Open golf tournament, I asked if he could send me a few with a short explanation about the photos so I might be able to pass them along to everyone via my blog.  Well, two nights ago I opened my email and there were three wonderful photos along with detailed explanations about whey Mike had taken each one.  I found them so heartwarming that I am posting not only the photos, but the stories that accompany each photo.  A great big thanks to Mike for taking the time to send me the photos and the stories.  Hope everyone enjoys reading the stories and viewing the work of a good friend and great photographer.  For those who are either professional photographers or strive to be one, Mike has submitted the vital information he used for each photo.  Hope that may also be interesting to some.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

51 year-old British golfer Laura Davies, winner of 79 tournaments worldwide, was on my fav list during the opening days of the 2015 US Women’s Open.  I so wanted to get a photo of the richest female athlete in all of the UK.  She came into full view on the 7^th hole on the second practice day. That moment brought  back memories of standing on the corner of the dogleg right 18^th at the 1989 Lady Keystone Open.  On that occasion, she drove the ball over our heads and went on to win the tournament.  After this US Open in 2015 she boarded a plane and returned to the UK to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.  A treasured moment indeed to spend on the LCC course with Dame Laura Davies.  Camera settings were: D2-93 /Laura Davies /Canon 7D mk 2 /Canon 70-200mm 2.8.

Another of my target golfers for the US Open week was Lexi Thompson.  This statuesque young woman was in the top three in driving distance statistics throughout the four rounds in this Open and had a huge following throughout her rounds.  Her smooth but power-laden swing averaged 265 yards on the measured holes.  That is saying a lot given the worldwide talent in this 2015 US Open.  Camera settings were: D3-54 /Lexi Thompson/Canon 5D mk3 /same lens.

The third golfer was my surprise of the week.  Liz Nagel is a pro from Dewitt, Michigan.  Never heard of her before, but now I will never forget her and what she did.  The first and most significant moment came on the final practice day as she finished hitting her drive off the 1^st tee.  Being “Kid’s Day” with youngsters sitting inside the ropes on numerous tees and greens, Liz Nagel turned to my grandson and he asked her to “please” sign his newly purchased US Open hat.  She bent down and asked him a question or two before signing and returning the hat.  What an accommodating human being!  Little-known pro Liz Nagel went on to make the cut.  She was among the top 60 and ties.  Rounds 1 and 2 were 68 and 76 respectively.  Saturday’s round, however, was a train wreck that NO pro would ever want with full media coverage and a huge crowd of 25,000+ surrounding the tees, fairways, and greens.  She held up as she recorded a horrible 83.  What must that have been like?  However, many did not know at the time that Liz IS a cancer survivor and worked her way into the Open at a qualifying tournament site.  As such, she knows the “I won’t give up” mantra.  In her Sunday round, with few followers, Liz Nagel shot an even par 70!  Few matched that result in the final round.  When some sad moments come my grandson’s way in his future sport endeavors, I will remind him of the lady golf pro who overcame cancer to sign his hat on the first tee of the 2015 US Women’s Open and shot a 70 in the final round.  A life lesson to be sure!  Camera settings were: D3-63-2 /Liz Nagel /Canon 5D mk3 /same lens.

  

PS. - Photos and stories by Mike Shull.  Click on the photos to enlarge to get a better view of each.