A Look & Taste outside the Ropes at the U.S. Open

By: Elisa Gaudet

Being outside the ropes for the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay is definitely not a bad thing. While this course has some of the most stunning views anywhere, walking it hole by hole is challenging. As Phil Mickelson notes, "Golf fans are some of the most dedicated fans. Most other sports fans buy a ticket, sit in a seat and see all the action. Golf fans buy a ticket and then they have to walk the course and only see a fraction of the action."

While a challenging walk, Chambers Bay is well worth it for the views and elevation changes. With that said, there are plenty of activities outside the ropes to make this major even more memorable. The U.S. Open Spectator Square is set up with numerous big screens televising coverage of the tournament, and sponsor pavilions enable the spectator to engage in various aspects of the game.

If you are looking for a better view, Phil Mickelson Sr. found a solution. Perhaps his son's awareness of the fan experience is heightened by the fact that his father fell into the periscope business. Mickelson Sr. explains, "In 1996 Phil started to have a pretty big crowd following him so my wife bought me a periscope for Christmas. Next thing all of my friends were using mine and passing it around to see a lie or how far a player was from the ball. I decided to buy 12 for my friends to give to them for Christmas.

"When I spoke with the owner in 1997 I ended up buying the company."

Mickelson Sr. went on to upgrade the original periscope, used to see over crowds to give a better view of tournament play. A few years later he created a version that has zoom capabilities. It allows a person to see 22.5 inches higher and five times the distance. Without any endorsement from his son, the Sportscope has done very well, selling out at three times during the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and again at the Ryder Cup.

It's now an officially licensed PGA Tour product and is also used for hunting, law enforcement, military, concerts and parades. Mickelson Sr., now almost 80, plans to retire soon from the periscope business. The onetime Navy fighter pilot turned commercial airlines pilot is happy he was able to give back by providing golf fans a way to have a better experience.

If a taste of the Evergreen State is what you desire, the Washington State Wine Commission created an exceptional experience showcasing the best of Washington wines in the Rainier Village hospitality tent beside the 18th fairway. Chris Stone, VP of marketing and communications for the wine commission, explains, "We wanted to showcase the diverse selection of wines that represent the region and diversity of varietals and price point."

Many visitors to the space are wine industry professionals, including sommelier's and wine buyers. With over 800 wineries in Washington, choosing which ones would be represented was no easy task. An outside five-person panel was created to review the over 420 wines submitted.

Ultimately 140 were chosen and 20 wines are showcased each day of the U.S. Open. Most notable is the fact that Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State's oldest winery, is the largest single producer of Riesling in the world. In addition to their 49-plus wines they currently have a new collaboration. Tenant, a Rhone-style blend made up of 40 percent Grenache, 35 percent Syrah and 25 percent Mourvedre. It's the love child of Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Rhone's Michel Gassie and it is delicious.

While many golf professionals have ventured into the wine industry, most notably Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Luke Donald and Annika Sorenstam to name a few, some NFL players have also found a passion in winemaking. Two vineyards in the Washington area have strong ties to football.

Passing Time Winery, the joint vision of quarterbacks Damon Huard and Dan Marino, was inspired by their respective great-grandfathers' roots in the industry. This is part of what propelled them to execute the dream of creating Passing Time. Huard has ties in Eastern Washington and his great-grandfather grew concord grapes, while Dan Marino's great-grandfather made homemade wine.

The name Passing Time rightly suits the passion both possess for family and football. As Huard explains, "It is what you do when you are with your family and friends passing time enjoying wine as well as when it is third down and you are in the red zone and down six with 10 seconds left in the game and you have to score then it is passing time."

The venture for Marino and Huard is a passion that runs as deep as their love of football. "Our vision is to make big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon and we use Merlot and Cab Franc from iconic Washington vineyards to create a complex and complete blend that compliments the Cabernet Sauvignon without taking away from its unique character." Using 86 percent Discovery Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Klipsun Vineyard Merlot and 5 percent Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Franc Passing Time, has created a spectacular wine.

Huard walked the course at Chambers Bay this week with his father, a former high school football coach. While he regrets his golf game has suffered due to lack of time Huard notes he was able to get his handicap to an 11 at one time. "I really enjoy golf. I just don't have as much time to play. My dad played golf and he taught me to play so it was great to be out there with him at Chambers Bay," says Huard.

Drew Bledsoe, the New England Patriots starting quarterback from 1993 to 2001, was born in Ellensburg in Eastern Washington. After a very successful NFL career, Bledsoe founded the Doubleback Winery along with close friend Chris Figgins. It was started when he returned home following career that inspired the winery's name.

For Bledsoe, owning a winery has been a longtime goal that would allow him to combine his passion for fine wine and the love of the Walla Walla Valley. The company's grapes are harvested from McQueen Vineyards and Flying B Vineyards, located in and around Walla Walla, where Bledsoe grew up. He is very proud of the region and notes its ability to produce great wines at reasonable prices, as well as superior wines. His first production, a 2007 vintage, quickly sold out of its initial 600 cases. In 2012, Marvin R. Shanken, noted N.Y. Giants fan, invited Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Tom Seaver and Bledsoe to introduce their wines, and despite Shanken's dislike of the NE Patriots, he welcomed Bledsoe and his wine.

Their pride in their home Washington State resonates with both quarterbacks when describing their wines and reasons for returning home. Along with a souvenir U.S. Open golf shirt, a great bottle of Washington State wine makes for a lasting memory long after the tournament ropes are down.

Elisa Gaudet brings a wealth of entertainment and golf experience to Cybergolf. Elisa has spent the past several years in the golf industry in the U.S., Latin America and Spain. She worked for the PGA Tour and the Tour de las Americas before founding Executive Golf International, a marketing company that works with clients to develop strategies using golf to develop and implement golf-related programs. Elisa worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years as a model and SAG and AFTRA actress. She has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs and has been a guest speaker on a variety of golf topics. Elisa published her first book, "Two Good Rounds" (Skyhorse Publishing) in 2011. The second book, "Two Good Rounds Superstars," was published in late 2013 and her most recent, "Two Good Rounds TITANS," was released in late 2014. Her story for Cybergolf, "Golf a Romantic Affair at Cabin Bluff," won first prize in ING's 2012 Travel Writing category, and that same year she won the ING's Outstanding Achievement award for the Op/Ed Writing Category for her Cybergolf article, "I Want to Fall in Love with Tiger Again." For more information about Elisa, visit her websites at www.twogoodrounds.com or Executive Golf International www.execgolfintl.com. She splits her time between New York City and Florida.

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