I woke up at 4 a.m. to make the drive to T.P.C. River Highlands for one of my favorite events of the year.
I am a big golf fan so I would enjoy 'graphing a golf tournament anyway, but it is really cool that the celebrities get to play on Wednesday, because that aspect provides Southern New England 'graphers with a little more of a chase.
Compared to last year, I would say there were a lot less people, but still a ton of people trying for autographs. Rather than going through every single autograph and saying where I got them, I will highlight a few, and show the rest, but I will say the majority were obtained in the practice area, a very solid amount off of the 7th green (my new favorite spot), and others in various areas.
I will start with the "Celebrities":
If I didn't have a photo, or it wasn't someone huge, I put them on photo paper so I can print a photo later if I wish to.
One of ESPN's most famous personalities, Chris Berman. He was very nice. Even nicer than the last time I met him! I got him on a baseball because he always calls the Home Run Derby. After he signed, Chris asked me my name, and shook my hand:
1984 Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast, Tim Daggett:
WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter:
Former Uconn & NBA Basketball player, Scott Burrell. Scott was the first African American to be drafted in the first round of both the NBA and MLB drafts:
Uconn Women's Basketball Legend, Jen Rizzotti:
Celebrity Chef, Ming Tsai. I was kind of surprised that he had a bit of an attitude. Not a terrible one, but he wasn't as nice as some of the bigger names.:
Basketball Hall of Famer, Geno Auriemma:
Even when Geno is rushed he still takes care of everyone.
Actor, Jim Naughton of "Making the Grade", and "Law and Order". He took about two minutes to talk to me which was pretty cool:
Uconn Basketball Head Coach, Kevin Ollie. I was upset because on the drive there I realized that I forgot my 8x10's from basketball season:
I was able to meet "The Voice" season 1 winner, Javier Colon again. He is always so nice:
Former NFL fan favorite, Doug Flutie was there like last year. I was able to get him two different times, and he was nice on both occasions. I bought a mini helmet off of a guy there for very cheap which was good, although I wish it were a Boston College or Patriots one:
And the biggest celebrity I got was..... TIM WAKEFIELD! I found out just last night that he would be playing, so I brought some baseballs. I was able to get him after he finished on the driving range and he was super nice to everyone. The guy I got the helmet from was around with nothing left for him, so I had him get a second ball for me. Wakefield is the 103rd Red Sox player I have met, and it was just so cool to meet someone I watched throughout my entire childhood for my favorite team.
Both baseballs came out beautifully, the camera angle on the plastic makes them look a tad dull/pixelated.
Later on in the day, I decided I had to go for him again because I had no idea when my next opportunity would be. I got him off of 7, and also got a photo with him!
Meeting Mr. Wakefield pretty much made the entire trip for me.
Now for the part the golf fans out there will enjoy!
Justin Hicks:
Kyle Stanley, who actually turned pro at TPC River Highland 4 years ago:
Johnson Wagner:
Hunter Mahan, who fell just short at the U.S. Open last weekend:
Freddie Jacobson. He actually denied everyone coming down to practice, but he signed coming up from practice. You have to love that autograph:
I was VERY happy to meet Sunday's U.S. Open winner, Justin Rose. It is always nice to meet a major champion, but it made it even more awesome to see how nice this guy is.
I also met Lee Westwood for the first time: The program has Bo Van Pelt on it as well:
I was able to get former Masters winner, Zach Johnson, which very much surprised me. I caught him at the perfect time off of 7. He is known to be very tough.
I also could not believe how much easier former Masters winner, Bubba Watson was this year. It was SO hard for me to even get him once last year, and I was able to get him twice! I was happy because last year he signed my Sports Illustrated in black, on the darkest spot, but this year he signed it beautifully across the middle in blue!
(I covered the address)
Shout out to a buddy for giving me the card for free!
Rickie Fowler was not at the tournament last year, but he was pretty much this year's version of 2012 Bubba Watson. He kept telling everyone he would after his round, and he didn't lie. When he finished, he skipped around a ton, and I fell just short of getting him. Then he ran up to the practice green to go behind the barricade. He signed a lot right there, and after moving around a lot, I was thrilled when he grabbed my photo. He personalized it, but I keep them anyway so it doesn't matter. He has such a nice autograph.
Golfers really sign more than any other type of athlete. Some sign after every single hole, and it is really awesome when guys like Justin Rose, and even Bubba Watson who signed more than last year don't get sick of it.
I did try for Alec Baldwin at the mini golf event... he was late for the charity event, didn't sign going in, and basically gave us the "f**k you" wave after it was over.
Total Autographs for 2013: 431
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