PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Golf fans Lynda Richards and Geri Bassichis spent the day on the green and watched as golfers attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open in Port St. Lucie.
"We appreciate watching them hit the ball and where it lands, because we’re familiar with the course and it's just very exciting," Richards said.
"They come out and they think it’s an easy course, they have no idea, the greens are never what you think they're going to be," Bassichis added.
They were one of many spectators standing by to watch Charlie Woods take a swing at qualifiers.
"He's 15 and he's probably one of the youngest in the tournament today and you're going to watch him grow and change and get better," Bassichis said.
Woods failed to qualify for his first U.S. Open after shooting 9-over 81 on Thursday in the local qualifying event.
The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods tied for 61st among the 74 players who finished the 6,975-yard layout at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club. The top five advanced to regional qualifying.
"I wanted to see Charlie Wood's course management, because this is a very challenging course and it’s all about course management," golf club member Laurenne Hemily-Figus said.
Woods shot 40 on the front nine, going bogey-double bogey on his first two holes and following a birdie on the par-3 fifth with another double bogey. He shot 41 on the back with three bogeys and a double bogey.
The U.S. Open is at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club's Course No. 2 in North Carolina from June 13-16.
Woods also struggled in February in a pre-qualifier for the PGA's Cognizant Classic, taking a 12 on one hole and shooting a 16-over 86 at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound.
Woods has played the 36-hole PNC Championship with his father the last four years in a scramble format.
Despite the outcome, those who attended said they'll never forget it.
"It's very exciting to see them play our course that we play and find out that they make some of the same mistakes we do," golf club member Sherry Altschuler said.
"Whether these guys make it big time or don’t make it big time, just to have them out here is a day that as a golfer and a fan you'll remember," golf club member Rick Kamiler added.
