The 71st U.S. Women’s Open was a special experience for families as countless moms and dads from around the globe shared the game of golf with their little ones by walking the links and admiring the elite athletes on the wondrous 18-hole course July 4-10 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin.
Business people entertaining their clients, retirees trying to pick up some swing tips from the pros while enjoying the sunshine and even diehard women’s golf tour fans took in the action of the world’s best female golfers as they vied for the coveted United States Golf Association trophy.
Middle schooler Bode Gonzales, 10, of Gilroy, was out on the course for Friday’s second round with his mother Gina Gonzales as the two enjoyed each others’ company while trying to catch a glimpse of the world’s No. 1 golfer Lydia Ko, of New Zealand.
“I’ve seen the men’s tournament and now I get to see the women’s tournament. I think that’s a big accomplishment seeing both,” said Bode, who was thrilled already after being handed a golf ball from pro Lexi Thompson while she was on the practice green.
“I think it’s fabulous that kids are free and parking is free,” added Gina, who couldn’t get over the fan-friendly experience presented by the professional athletes even as they were competing on the the 6,718-yard championship course. “It’s also vital for him to understand women can do the same as men.”
The mother and son planned to return for Sunday’s final round, where spectators were treated to some action-packed, nail-biting action throughout that culminated with Texan Brittany Lang edging Swedish star Anna Nordqvist in a three-hole playoff.
Spectator crowds grew larger each day, ballooning to four-, five-deep along the ropes to follow the lead groups on the weekend. The USGA set up several grandstands on the private course to provide up-close views around the greens, including on the 18th, 8th and 12th holes, and tee boxes such as No. 1.
Avid golfers Jim and Carol Jensen drove down from Foster City to take in the sights and action of CordeValle—which was hosting its first USGA women’s event, the granddaddy of them all—after several years of being home to the Professional Golf Association’s Fry’s.com Open.
“I played CordeValle a couple of times. It’s a beautiful place,” Jim said. “We came to watch Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer.”
Carol noted the offsite spectator parking and shuttle to the course ran smoothly, getting them to the action swiftly and with no problem. The retired couple were perched on the first fairway within eyeshot of the green.
“It’s a beautiful course, and I think they are really doing a good job with crowd management and with facilities for food and drinks,” said Carol, who also hoped to pick up a few pointers from the pros. “I’m looking at their form and timing and how far they bring their shoulders back.”
The grand event was in the backyard of a group of local businesswomen enjoying themselves on the course. Morgan Hill resident Christine Carvalho, who works at Fremont Bank, was accompanied by clients/friends Tracee Gluhaich, of San Martin, and Pamela Carroll-Gardiner, of Morgan Hill.
“We’re enjoying the beautiful weather,” Carvalho said. “We’ll make an afternoon of it.”
Gluhaich, a salesperson with Patterson Dental who also doubles part-time as a fitness instructor at a local gym, was proud to see her hometown of San Martin playing host to such a worldwide event.
“It’s fun to see all these young, athletic women,” Gluhaich said. “It’s a beautiful way to start the weekend.”
Carroll-Gardiner, a dental practice broker with Carroll and Company, was keen on the latest fashion trends being sported by the pro golfers.
“We’re actually out here to enjoy the U.S. Open and this beautiful course—and observe their cute outfits,” she said.
Australian native Niall O’Donnell, now residing in San Jose, brought his two children out to enjoy the USGA experience with him.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring the kids out and experience some world class golf,” said O’Donnell, who just finished working a shift at the Stanford Health Care tent, providing medical assistance at the Open. “For me, it’s a great walk in the park and this is a beautiful park to be doing that.”
O’Donnell’s daughter Cate, 10, and son Sean, 12, were wide-eyed and full of smiles as they watched the group of Candie Kung, Bomee Lee and Morgan Pressel tee off from the first hole.
“I think it’s pretty cool that they have an entire tournament for women,” said Cate, who was inspired to go out and golf with her dad in the coming days.
“I think it’s impressive how they can hit it so far,” added Sean, who had been observing the pros do their thing for nearly three hours already with half a day of action still ahead of him. “Even on this rough a golf course, it looks like they do it with ease.”
The fan-friendly experience could not have been more special for 10-year-old Paige Wardell, of Mountain View. On the 10th green, 2014 Open champion Michelle Wie gave Wardell her ball. Then, she met pro golfers Brook Henderson and Lexi Thompson, who were signing autographs right outside one of the player hospitality areas.
“I like Michelle Wie,” said Paige, who just picked up the game of golf herself.
Paige’s older sister Brooke, 13, was in high spirits as well after meeting up with some of the Tour pros.
“I think it’s really cool,” Brooke said. “It motivates me to wanna be a better golfer.”
The Wardells made a family trip of it with dad Rob and mom Stephanie sharing the beautiful day on the course with their daughters.
“It’s just fantastic,” Stephanie said. “This is our first time taking the kids to a golf event.”
“It’s just a great day for golf. It couldn’t be any better. The course looks amazing,” Rob added. “Great crowd control. The parking was easy. The whole process has just been done well.”
USGA officials counted 55,000 local, regional, national and international attendees over the course of the championship from Thursday through Sunday.
The Bryngelsson family traveled from Sweden to cheer on six Swedish golfers in the field, and they were given a treat on the final day when Nordqvist eagled one hole on the back nine to grab a share of the lead and force a playoff.
Camilla Bryngelsson said she works as a golf instructor at the national golf school and had taught many of the Swedes competing at the Open when they were younger.
“We are here to watch and to learn,” Camilla said. “The course is beautiful, spectacular. Nothing like Sweden with the mountains, hills, grass, sun, heat and everything. We are living the dream right now.”
Along for the golf trip was 9-year-old daughter Alva and 12-year-old son Elias, who were soaking in everything the event had to offer.
“It’s very exciting to be here,” said Elias, a golfer himself who received a special souvenir when Lexi Thompson gave him her golf glove. “My favorite part was when I got autographs.”
The 71st U.S. Women’s Open Championship was held in Northern California for the first time in 34 years. There were 24 different countries represented in the 156-player championship field with nine past Open champions, including Na Yeon Choi (2012), In Gee Chun (2015), Paula Creamer (2010), Eun-Hee Ji (2009), Cristie Kerr (2007), Se Ri Pak (1998), So Yeon Ryu (2011), Karrie Webb (2000, 2001) and Michelle Wie (2014).
