What is the U.S. Senior Open?
Like the regular PGA Tour's Open, this U.S. Golf Association-run tournament is considered the quintessential major golf championship for the Senior Tour, since any golfer in America with a 3.4 handicap or less can enter. Of course, you have to turn 50 by Thursday to be eligible for the four-day event. This year, there were a record 3,101 entries received for the 156-player field, but 71 golfers were exempt, meaning they automatically qualified because of past performances in other tournaments. The rest of the spots are made up of players who made the field through 43 sectional qualifiers.
Where is the Senior Open being played?
At Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills. Caves Valley, selected for this year's Open in 1994, opened in 1991 and is a newcomer to major tournament golf. The 7,005-yard, par-71 layout was the host of the 1995 U.S. Mid-Amateur and will be host with Loyola College to the 2005 NCAA Men's Golf Championship.
Is Caves Valley as tough as Bethpage Black, where the U.S. Open took place earlier this month?
It's tough, but not that difficult. The summertime heat and chance of afternoon thunderstorms might make the course play much tougher than it would in good conditions. Senior golfers typically use golf carts to help them navigate tournament courses, but the USGA does not allow that in its events. Some players have already voiced concerns about having to walk the hilly terrain in 90-plus-degree heat. The course itself probably won't render the field helpless, as Bethpage did some of the finest golfers in the world. Senior Tour representatives at the U.S. Open are prime examples. Hale Irwin, winner of two of the last four Senior Opens and 34 events in his seven-year senior career, shot 82-81 in the first two rounds at Bethpage, missing the cut. Tom Kite, winner of two senior tournaments this year, shot 80-73 to also miss the cut.
Will Irwin and Kite be at Caves?
You bet. The pair was among the golfers who skipped the Greater Baltimore Classic to prepare for the Open. Others who bypassed the Hayfields tour stop but will be in this week's field are senior rookie Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson and 72-year-old Arnold Palmer.
Wait, is someone missing?
Most notably, 1991 and 1993 Senior Open winner Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus has been battling a bad back in the past few months, and it proved too much for the 62-year-old, who withdrew from the tournament Monday. He tied for fourth at last year's Senior Open in Peabody, Mass. J.C. Snead, winner of last week's Greater Baltimore Classic, also withdrew Monday, citing general fatigue.
What should you bring?
Binoculars, good walking shoes and anything to keep the sun and heat from getting to you - sunglasses, umbrellas and sunblock. Cameras are allowed for practice rounds, but they're prohibited for the championship rounds. Small handbags, subject to search, are OK, but backpacks and other larger bags are not allowed.
What else should you leave at home or in the car?
Cell phones and anything that makes noise. Any and all types of food and beverages. Coolers, folding armchairs, ladders and signs are also outlawed. Weapons, of course, are not allowed under any circumstances.
Are there any tickets left?
About 5,000 tickets remain for the tournament, which is expected to draw more than 100,000 fans this weekend. Tournament officials recommend you go out to Caves Valley (directions at ussenioropen.com or by calling 866-654-2002), park in the general admission lot and purchase tickets at the gate.