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BMW Charity Pro-Am
Greenville, SC
May 17 - 20 , 2007
Thursday
(told from Cindy's point of view with inserts from Barbie and Sue. These photos are the property of Cindy Glover, Barbie O'Loughlin and Sue Major. Please do not post them anywhere else. Thank you.)
We arrived at the Cliffs of Keowee Vineyards Golf course bright and early. We wanted to make sure we had time for breakfast in the clubhouse. We made our way to the first hole about 10 mins before tee off. As we came around the corner, we saw a group of men somewhat obscured by a tree but there was no doubt that one of them was David. Sue stopped dead in her tracks as she whispered "There he is". As I turned to answer her I noticed that she and Barbie both were actually backing up! The looks on their faces was as they say "priceless". Right after they teed off, Barbie spilt her coffee down the front of her. I guess seeing him *move* was just too much for her.
Barbie: It wasn't my fault! It was the cups fault! There was a hole in the lid. I didn't have a wipe or a napkin so I walked the remaining of the day with a coffee stain down the front of me! Much to my chagrin. No picture with David today! (psst...Barbie...the whole is where you sip from)
In the beginning, we were the only 3 in the gallery. Actually, other than the golfers, I think we were the only 3 at the course, LOL. Must have been the early hour. For me, being used to the Bob Hope tourneys which were always very crowded this was a welcome change.
Because of the lack of spectators however, we were a bit more quiet at first than we were later in the day as everyone became more talkative.
David, as most golfers, was quite concentrated on his game. Pre and post shots he and the the Pros would discuss and analyze his/their shots.
(Left: Gentleman putting is one of the pros, Matt Hansen)
It wasn't long into the day, that David pulled out a cigar. He would drop/flick/toss the cigar to ground to take his shot. After his shot, he would casually walk over pick up the cigar and be on his way.
A few holes in we also met up with another 'DJEfans' member, Robbie and her brother.
What a nice brother she has to bring her to the event and to walk the links with her. It really is so much fun to meet up with other fans.
This picture also helps me to tell another story. In my hand you will notice a golf ball. Guess who it belongs to? Yes that's right, it is David's ball. Miss Sue was the eagle eye that saw it in the woods and I went on in after it. And guess what? He has them monogramed with "DJE"
A few holes later, after finding the ball, I was able to stand in a position so that David would see the ball in my hand as he came off the hole. He asked, "Is that my ball?" as he approached I told him yes but I didn't make as if to give it to him. So he asked, "Are you going to give it to me?" I said "Do you want it?" hoping he would say no. He said, "yes" Well this whole time we have been walking, albeit slowly, and he is somewhat in front of me now looking at me sideways. I sighed and said "Okay" and he reached his arm back for it with his palm up. I placed the ball in his hand he smiled and said 'thank you'. All the while Barbie was mumbling “Uh, No, Don't give it back ” Well, feeling just a bit put out, I said to his retreating back..."you owe me". He looked back at me over his shoulder and said, "You want it?" I gazed at him for a moment trying to think of something witty to say and before I could answer him he said, "It's ok, if you want it you can have it." Well at his point he is probably a full stride in front of me. I tell him yes and he reaches
his arm behind him, palm up with the ball in it. I reach forward to take the ball from him his palm and he closes his fingers around mine. That causes me to look up at him instead of the ball and he winks. How I managed to continue walking at that point is now one of the great mysteries of the 21st century. Later, thanks to Barbie, I was able to get the ball autographed. He was so cute while signing it... those big hands, small ball, long name, and a sharpie. After he wrote 'David' he mumbled "I'm not doing this well " I assured him it was fine.
Barbie: I read Cindy the riot act about not taking the time to get the ball signed while the opportunity was there. I believe I said, “You WILL get that signed if I have to do it for you! LOL. Later another opportunity presented itself, and I followed David into a patch of trees between the holes, and said, “David, don’t go anywhere, just stay right there! I waved to Cindy so she followed us into the trees, where she and David proceeded to have a conversation about the ball and another matter concerning the charities. It was a nice conversation.
I also want to make mention that the courses were absolutely gorgeous. There were some major hills but the water, the landscaping, flowers, and the homes were breath taking. Walking up to this particular hole David took a detour. When the 'security' guy asked him where he was going he answered "I'm sight seeing!" When he saw basically what you are seeing in the background of these images his comment was "Unbelievable!"
More images:
Twice during the day David had an awesome putt. One was about 30 ft and the other was about 25 ft. Both times the gallery errupted but the best part was watching David and the others. He was so psyched! He was tapping kuckles with the rest of the players and the caddies and they are were all saying "Whoa, way to go... nice! and on and on. David had such a bouce in his step. (picture to the left-man squatting is the other amatuer of the group, Richard Cherry)
Further into the day, David munched on an Apple. Guess what he did with it when it was time to tee off? Well, he didn't flick it like the cigar, but...
After the 18th hole ... David stood with the fans and signed autographs, took pictures and chatted. So sweet! (He had been doing that all day between holes but the pros that he was with with were moving right along so there wasn't a lot of time. There were a few times that they actually had to wait on him. oops!) Anyway, Sue had a gift for David, a tee marker she had made for him the year JAG was cancelled and he was scheduled for the Bob Hope. Well, at the last minute he dropped out of the Bob Hope so she didn't have the oppurtunity to give it to him. She did now!
Anyway... here's another story. It took some prodding on my part to get Sue to walk up to him because there really was a crowd. She finally did and she gave him the ball marker. She explained that she had it made years prior which was why the JAG motiff.
He was quite taken with the gift and look what he gave her... what a smile! He said "Wow, that's real nice." Well as I am watching all of this and trying to take her picture talking to David but I can't seem to get them both in the view finder. I thought it was because I was getting bumped around by the crowd. (Which for this picture wasn't so bad because it is so awesome.) But I obviously wanted Sue in the picture. When they had finished talking, I said "Well let me get your picture." David put his arm around her and I again try to get their picture. When I find Sue all I see is David's chest. I raise the camera a bit and I loose Sue. So I take a step backward and I still can't get them in. David is looking at me like I have grown a second head because all the while this is going on, I am saying, "I can't find you both" I finally just took the picture in total frustration. I was so upset and self conscious at that point.
I was telling Sue how sorry I was that I messed up her picture and only got half her face. She said to me, "Well I hope itwasn't the good side!" David was signing an autograph for someone else but still standing near by and heard her remark. He turned around and said "Hey now, both sides are just fine" And he wasn't kidding. From the tone of his voice, I think he truly didn't like her putting herself down like that. It was the voice of a parent. So... the moral of this story is when you are standing only a few feet away from your subject, do not have your camera on full zoom and do not put yourself down in front of David.
Sue: From where I was standing ... Cindy could take all the time she needed to take the picture.
When David was done with pics/autographs/etc. he was whisked away in a golf cart. We made our way back to the clubhouse hoping lunch would be as good as breakfast. The lunch buffet was ok. I was expecting better but things began to look up though when David and his crew walked in. They made their way to the buffet table after getting their tag punched. (I had to smile watching David get his tag punched just like the rest of us. He was so polite!) David skipped right over the salad area and went straight to the hot dishes. The macaroni and seafood salads did give him pause but he opted against those as well. Can't say I blame him - I opted out as well. He served him self chicken, popcorn shrimp and then studied the pot roast. Barbie was on the other side of the buffet. David casually asked her "What is this, Lamb?" Barbie, without missing a beat said "No, its roast beef". David seemed pleased with that because he took some and then moved on. In the dinning room, we ended up at the table 'kitty corner' to theirs. When I sat down, David was alone at his table, so I felt brave and told him how nice it was to see him again. He looked up at me and said "Oh, well thanks, you too." Then his caddy and security guy arrived and Barbie and Sue as well. When they were finished with lunch they were standing at the table discussing timing etc. for the next day. When he turned to leave he looked at us waved bye and said "See you tomorrow." As we were leaving we saw the other amateur of David's foursome, his uncle and caddy. We stopped and spoke with them for a while. They were very impressed with David and said what a nice, down to earth guy he was. They commented on how tall he was and his build. They were doubly impressed when I told them he had run the Ironman. They said he was telling stories and joking around most of the time. They were also a bit surprised when they found out where Sue, Barbie and I were from. The uncle said "I've heard about fans like you" laughing. The caddy actually lived in my city about 10 years ago! Small world!
And to think we get to do this again tomorrow!
