Thursday: Anticipation rises!!

Today was another great day in Wales.  We went early this morning and checked out the Cardiff castle and it was awesome.  Some parts of the walls were built by the Romans in 55 AD.  Man that was a long time ago.  We took a lot of pictures of the Castle and will post one for everyone to see.  We then headed back to the hotel to get ready to leave for the opening ceremonies at the Celtic Manor.  After a lengthly shuttle ride we arrived to the golf course and it seemed as though everyone in Wales was already there.
We were destined to sit a long way away. 

We walked over to the clubhouse and noticed as we were in a huge crowd of people
that I could see Bubba's trainer Fish in the doorway.  I called him over and he asked if we had armbands for the ceremonies.  I replied no and five minutes later he had two armbands for us to watch the ceremonies up close.  We walked in and it was about to start and we made are way up to the 5th row and sat with Bubba's caddie Ted Scott and Angie's parents.  It was unreal to be that close to the action.  What a great time watching the ceremonies. We were excited to hear of Bubba's match in the foursomes and will be up bright and early to get there for the first and last shot of his round.  All the American players looked geared up and ready to go.  These guys are lickin there chops to get out there and prove themselves.  It will be an exciting atmosphere tommorow and Wales is rockin!!


Short blog tonight as we need to get to sleep for what looks to be a long, wet day tommorow!

GOD IS GOOD!!

GO USA!!

Adam

Wednesday: Taking it easy

After yesterday visiting the golf course we decided to relax and sleep in.  It was phenomenal!!  We decided not to go to the course today and that we would go tommorrow and watch the opening ceremonies.  So today was dedicated to walking around downtown Cardiff and what a sight it was.  It is the biggest area to shop in I have ever seen.  It was like New York City but cleaner and prettier.  The streets are all paved with concrete pavers and pedestrians are everywhere.  We had lunch at Mcdonalds and it was 10 times better and cleaner than back home.  Food was very tasty!!

We then decided we would check out the Cardiff Castle.  Come to find out it was closed for the day because the two teams were having dinner there tonight and then going to the Gala and Concert afterwards.  So after strolling around town a little we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the big Gala. 

After sliding on my suit, rockin a red tie, red pocket square and red socks we were on our way!! The wife was a glowing image of a very happy pregnant woman. We went inside the Millenium Stadium and it was unreal how nice it was set up.  We did not have our camera so we were pretty bummed, but what a sight.  Three course meal, first class service and entertainment were in order.  We had traditional Welsh Lamb as the main course and it was mighty tasty.  Afterwards we joined the main part of the stadium and got settled in for the big concert.  We sat with the European caddies and we were on the second row.  The American caddies were back at the Celtic Manor resting and probably bonding or drawing up some game plans for the weekend. 

First we were introduced to the evenings entertainment by Catherine Zeta Jones and Prince Charles , we were then serenated by Katherine Jenkins and she was an unbelievable singer.  Then it was time for the fellas from each team and their wives to come out on the stage and be introduced.  Americans were announced first and it was great to see Bubba and Angie up on the stage, they looked great!  All of the American team looked excited and ready to go.  Then the Euros came out and also looked great.  Then soon after talking to the two captains the players exited the stage.  All the US players noticed our small group of followers and acknowledged us all, it was a great night.

Time to go to sleep now, but more fun tommorow.  We are gonna go early and check out the Castle then depart for the golf course around 2 to check out the opening ceremonies.  Pictures are down below so check em out!

GO USA!!

GOD IS GOOD!!

Adam

Tuesday: End of a long travel day

Well the day did not go as planned......

But is was a blast walking around Wales with Chasity looking for ways to get to the Celtic Manor without spending an arm and a leg.  See, the shuttle does not leave from the hotel for the Celtic Manor until Thursday.  So if you want to go early and catch a practice round, you are on your own.  We first tried a taxi but the ride is 12 miles from here and would cost 20 pounds there and 20 pounds back! Still dont understand the conversion over here but it is around 30-35 bucks.  So we decided to take a taxi to downtown Cardiff and hop the train to Newport (7.80 pounds for round trip).  Well we did and found another shuttle waiting to take us to the golf course (20 pounds for round trip).  After we got to the golf course we went through security and started to walk down the path to the Celtic Manor.  It was about a 1/2 mile walk to the golf course and usually all of this travel would not be an issue but Chasity is 28 weeks pregnant and my legs are killing me from a workout Bubba's trainer Fish gave to me before we left. 

Enough of that...the golf course is amazing, the merchandise stand and hospitality tents are great!  This place is gonna be rockin this weekend.  We managed to catch the american team finishing the last five holes and followed Bubba from 14-18.  He was playing with Phil, Dustin and Rickie.  To many cool stories to write about but one was really cool.  They all hit great drives on 18 (par 5) except for Dustin and all decided to lay up and it was Bubbas turn to hit.  He toyed with the crowd as they chanted "Go for It" grabbing an iron then switching to a wood and then an iron and then a wood.  Finally listening to the crowd he grabs his driver and is gonna hit it off the fairway.  Even Phil gets in on the taunting and says "Even Stewart Cink went for it". Wind in the face he was in between clubs and had to hit the driver low and with a big fade.  The crowd went crazy when they saw the pink shafted driver get pulled from the bag.  It was great to hear the 95% european crowd cheering and routing on the Americans as they hit every shot.  He went for it with a swooping fade swing. What an awesome group to watch.  These guys are great and looked like they were having a great time. 

I am posting a few pictures from the day below so make sure you check them out.  Sorry about the delay of the blog, our adapter blew up and couldnt use the computer last night.

Read Wednesday's adventures below!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

Adam

Tuesday: Exploration Day!

I am currently in the lobby with Chasity waiting on some friends to have some breakfast.  We are going to out to the golf course today (Celtic Manor) and check out some merchandise and get a comfortable with the surroundings.  I am so excited to check out the golf course today! After checking out the course and watching Bubba practice on the course we are gonna head back to the hotel.

We are gonna then embark on the downtown Cardiff and do some sightseeing.  They have unbelievable shopping and architecture all around.  We are gonna go to the Cardiff Castle as well.  But even sweeter will be the Ghost tour tonight!! I really hope the weather behaves today to get all of this done. 

It is currently cloudy and 55 (surprise, surprise), dont got to Wales to get a tan!!

I will update the blog tonight with photos and news of our travels.

GO USA!!

GOD IS GOOD!!

Adam

Monday: the week officially has begun!

We finally made to Wales!!  It was a long flight but well worth it.  Just to catch you up on the last day or so....Chasity and I went to watch Bubba on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club and it was great on the front nine, then the rain began to fall.  We were lucky enough to be with Angie to go inside the historic clubhouse at East Lake.  Had a great meal and waited until the big guy got finished.  He played well considering he had to play almost the whole back nine in rain.  That guy is a talent to see in person!!

After the round we regrouped and headed off to the airport to wait on the charter plane from British Airways.  The team arrived at the airport and there was some serious electricity in the air.  We got to see the Ryder Cup trophy being loaded onto the plane as well. The fans were pumped and the players were even more ready.  I was lucky enough to meet some of the players and they are all great guys.  The flight was long and somewhat rowdy, but it was in pretty sweet.  Captain Pavin even came down the aisle to hype up the crowd of ready Americans!

We will not get to hang with Angie and Bubba hardly at all this week beacuse they will be doing almost everything with the team.  But we are not alone, we have Andrew Fisher (bubbas trainer) and Larry and Ruth (bible study leaders and all around good peoples).  They are both great to have along to enjoy the experience.

Chasity and I are all cleaned up and ready to check out the food spots and the shopping centers.  The weather is about 55 degrees and cloudy and we are five hours ahead of east coast time.   I will be updating the page with some photos as the week goes along and hope to here some comments.  Wish you guys were here, but I will represent the USA proudly!!

Adam

RYDER CUP!!

GOD IS GOOD!!

Night Before We Leave For Atlanta

On the Eve of leaving for Atlanta, Ga I thought it would be nice to document our trip to the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales.  Also, it will give all of you a chance to see it through the eyes of a couple of Americans in a sea of Europeans.  We will post pictures and blog daily about our adventures overseas!

Quick Background: My wife Chasity and I were invited to go to Wales by our good friends Angie and Bubba Watson.  I knew Bubba the way he was playing this year he would get a chance to make the team, and sure enough he did.  I applied for a passport months before he made the team in belief that he could do it and we would some how find a way to the Ryder Cup if he did.  They are wonderful friends and I look forward to seeing them enjoy what they have worked so hard for.

We will be leaving Saturday the 24th to meet them in Atlanta and watch the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday.  We will then be boarding the Charter plane to head over to Cardiff, Wales to the Celtic Manor Resort to watch the 2010 Ryder Cup. (that sounds sweet to finally say!)  Friends and family of Bubba and Angie will be joining us on the flight and we are excited to experience this with them.

Bags are packed and the anticipation is causing me not to want to go to sleep!  But I need to try so
God Bless and Goodnight.....See you in Atlanta!!


GO USA!!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

Adam