StarTribune.com

More interactivity: U.S. Women’s Open suggestions

Posted on June 18th, 2008 – 2:18 PM
By Michael Rand

randballgolf.jpgWe’re going to be out at the U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen next week (at least Thursday-Sunday, probably some of Wednesday as well) to do a smattering of things for the Newspaper of the Twin Cities. Part of that will include filing some offbeat posts for this here blog, which will be temporarily remade entirely thanks to that clever new logo designed by Greengirls’ own Jaime Chismar (Instead of saying, “Here, take my modestly sized basketball,” we are now saying, “Would someone please, for the love of all that is pure, take this giant golf ball from us!”). We’re sure many good stories will develop, but we also thought it would be good to have a game plan going in. Here is where you can get involved: is there some sort of daily feature you would like to see? Anything not exactly golf-related but still somewhat relevant to the tournament? Any tips for getting around Interlachen? Try to be relatively serious*; we don’t need 17 suggestions for a Natalie Gulbis Q&A, after all.

*By RandBall standards, not everyday life standards.

21 Responses to "More interactivity: U.S. Women’s Open suggestions"

Brandon says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

“Crazed fan of the day.” Your observation on the craziest fan and what they did to deserve such an honor. Gives you a chance to poke fun at your fellow attendees, but in a lighthearted manner.

“Representing Randball.” Something you did while at the tourney that would make us quirky, immature, counter-culturists proud.

“Swag reviews.” Will you be getting a bunch of free crap? Tell us about it, if you want.

Stu says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

When I went to the US Open at Hazeltine, I enjoyed seeing the golfers furtively suck down heaters off-camera (Hello, Craig Stadler! How are you not dead?). So, it might be interesting, if entirely unrealistic, for you to approach them while they’re enjoying flavor country and get a couple quotes from them. Because I would definitely read, “Bumming a Cig with Dottie Pepper,” by Michael Rand.

I am serious about this.

Brandon says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

@Stu - naming the series “Sucking Butts with…” might work as well. Just something to consider.

Joker says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

The typical Joker response would be to see how many of the golfers’ thongs end up sticking out the top of the skirts, shorts, or pants. But I’m not going to suggest that today.

See how many of them start grunting and limping every time they hit a bad shot, but are able to jump up and down and do cartwheels when ever they sink a putt to force a playoff. Kinda like that one guy…jama, what’s his name again? Oh yeah. Tiger.

Stu says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Brandon: that is absolutely a better title.

A suggestion Michael might actually use: Rate the Hospitality Tent. Which sponsor’s tent has the most delicious bacon-wrapped appetizer, easiest access to air conditioning, cleanest terlets, etc.

Toonces51 says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Well, if Joker’s not going to recommend it, may I recommend seeing how many of the golfers’ thongs end up sticking out the top of the skirts, shorts, or pants?

fasolamatt says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Tale of the Tape: give a few random fans a pedometer at the entrance, and have ‘em e-mail you how far they walked during the day (and what they saw).

Who are you following?: Pick a relatively obscure golfer with no tenable Minnesota connection. Interview the folks who are walking with them.

I’m inside the ropes and you’re not: Identify non-media folks inside the ropes and allow them to justify their existence.

Mark my balls: Have golfers mark a golf ball with the mark they put on their own. Invite RandBallers and others to creatively do the same.

Joker says:

June 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Brandon

Other names that might work:

1. Suck on this: Behind the scenes at the Women’s US open
2. Put your Butt here
3. Sinking putts and sucking butts (a revision of yours)
4. John Daily’s Corner

scagmajor says:

June 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

How about a Natalie Gulbis Q&A?

Joker says:

June 18th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

Stu’s next Huntdown: Natalie Gulbis’s hotel location and room #.

AZGopherGirl says:

June 18th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Whose Team is She On? Post a photo of a golfer each day and let readers guess her sexual orientation. (May require Rand to pretend to proposition said golfer to get the answer.)

MR says:

June 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

AZGG: only if said propositioning happens on “Real Sports”

fasolamatt says:

June 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

AZGG: COW. I want to see the propositioning on STribTV.

Dave MN says:

June 18th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

Natalie Gulbis = “Butterface”

Her jawline reminds me of Sgt. Slaughter.

StraightCashHomey says:

June 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Mmm… Natalie Gulbis.

Particularly relevant to RandBalling of late: How about a segment called “How Are You One of Us?” This would require them to name some sort of Minnesota connection, e.g. “my cousin lives here,” “I had a Summit once,” “I heard it snows year-round in Minnesota and there are huge glaciers.”

Michael Rand says:

June 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

I’m definitely going to attempt to work a lot of these non-AZGG suggestions into the mix.

ramon says:

June 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

I’m sure there will be some human interest story involving a tournament volunteer. Always liked those. And probably two or three more articles on the Hoymeyer family.

What I’d really like to see is a piece on the four hour commutes due to traffic jams caused by road construction.

Yep, that’s what I want to see. Traffic reports. Oh, and Mosquito reports.

AZGopherGirl says:

June 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

If you’re scared, say you’re scared.

BeejABeej says:

June 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 am

I think you should learn more about the grounds crew at Interlachen. Unsung heroes for sure!

T Srevens says:

June 24th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Rand makes reference to “This here blog.” Was that a failing addempt at some sort of humor or simply backward, dimwitted grammar?

Jon Burrows says:

June 24th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

More Natalie Gulbis!