At about 7:30 EDT on Thursday, June 15th, the world of professional sports will collide with that of the weekend hackers as the U.S. Open begins at Bethpage Black; the only solely public site to ever host the prestigious tournament. In what is likely the ultimate compliment any sport can give its loyal followers, the most accomplished players in the world will ply their trade at the same venue where a multitude of regular joe golfers have done the same. Oh, sure the pros won’t be spending the previous night sleeping in their backseats in order to gain a prime tee time but they will be up against many of the shots and hazards that those on the other side of the ropes deal with weekly. For the most devoted of them, it’s Open Golf Live, on their course.



Make no mistake --the Black Course at Bethpage's status as a municipal course adds an interesting element to what’s already considered a major tourney. How many who walk the hallowed grounds of the Old Course at St. Andrews, or Royal Troon or Carnoustie have actually played the break on any one of the greens? Can you imagine the thrill in walking the course during the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club in Ireland and watching the best that Europe and the USA had to offer? Now, how much more fun would that be if you were sure that Sergio would bring the sand trap on the right into the game if he doesn't play enough carry? That’s exactly what many of the fans on Long Island will feel as they walk the four days of the U.S. Open. Open Golf Live, where you learned the game.

Even those unable to make the pilgrimage to Long Island will clamor for any way to see Open Golf Live. There will be no end of weekend duffers downloading streaming video to their office desktops in order to see the opening stages of the first two rounds. With one eye on the screen and the other on the boss’ office, they’ll view with an experienced interest as Anthony Kim finds the same rough on 5 that they always seem to find. A knowing grin will greet Henrik Stenson's misread of the break on the 17th green from the guy who's made the same error more than once. Open Golf Live, out of your own bag.

It's universally acknowledged that fan is an abbreviation for fanatic. It’s the reason for many types of craziness, from the innocent face painting at the Stanley Cup to the more serious death threats on referees during the World Cup. We rise and fall with our teams and our players but, invariably, it is a vicarious exercise. For one weekend in June, though, it’ll be one with which we can identify on a level rarely felt. Open Golf Live, the way we hope to play.