Going to watch golf in South Africa is a tough business, as I discovered Saturday at the Jonsson Workwear Open being played at Glendower.
A day out in Africa puts you in the firing line of the elements, wind (there was plenty), rain (yip) and that scorching orange ball in the sky takes no prisoners.
Casual fans (not the special VIPs who get access to the air conditioned bar and a special umbrella emblazoned with the sponsor's name if they do venture out amongst us mere mortals) get no respite, there are no chairs - bring your own throne - no shade - bring your own - and if you want something to cool you down you better pick a trailer that has someone actually working in it or it's "No Coke for you!". Man, I miss Seinfeld.
A French tourist in Joburg to watch one of his friends play in the tournament couldn't find anyone to sell him a bottle of water so my friend Jason, who won the tickets, gave him his while we watched Santiago Tarrio stuff one close on the par-3 fifth (below), he missed the birdie putt, which sucked for everyone.
The poor man was not used to the heat, even at 10am.
Getting onto the course was another adventure because non-VIPs have to park on the far side of the course, by the 14th green (in this tournament), which is the fifth green normally.
Something that would have been nice to know before heading there ...
It's quite a trek to the clubhouse from there and when you arrive hot and sweaty and looking for a place to cool down, you can't, weird.
But after no help from the volunteers we found the spectator village, an oasis of food and liquid refreshment.
Stella was the beverage of choice before we headed back out to watch the leaders do their thing and it was quite a thing.
We saw eagles, birdies, made putts, missed putts, drives that took forever to hit the ground and a group of people try and 'Beat The Pro' on the par-3 15th, spoiler, none got the job done.
Then the rain came, well first came the thunder which scared everyone off the course, then the rain came and the fans had to rough it, hiding under a tree and hoping it's not your day to ride the lightning.
The rain was a refreshing break from the stifling heat at least and once again my hat goes off to the caddies that have the strength and stamina to carry their boss' sticks, balls, jackets, food, drink etc. across any course in the world but especially one on the highveld. They are the true heroes.
At the end of the day, it was fun but it could have been better, luckily nobody parked me in and it's better than a day in the office.
Maybe next year Jason will win VIP tickets and we can see how the other half live ...
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