Ira Cronin WCNC Sports

Wednesday Aug. 6 was one of the best days of my professional career. At first glance you may wonder why, when my assignment was to cover a press conference. But when I say it was a press conference for the upcoming U.S. Amateur in Pinehurst you may begin to understand.

Yes it was a pretty average press conference, but I have to say the lunch was better than most. The interviews after word were alright, but the post press conference activity -- golf on Pinehurst No. 2 -- was out of this world, but that wasn't my only big thrill of the day!

Anytime I make the drive from Charlotte to Pinehurst to do a story I'm excited. Every time I am in the area, I feel the history and significance of being in a very special place in the annals of golf. I have seen many of the greatest players in the world play on No. 2 and I have only been in Charlotte long enough to cover the 2005 US Open. I clearly remember watching the final round of the 1999 Open when I was working in Salt Lake City, and seeing the late Payne Stewart's miraculous finish to beat Phil Mickelson.

Besides playing golf, a big thrill for me was holding and taking a picture with the actual U.S. Amateur trophy. Trust me, I know holding the trophy is the closest I will ever come to winning anything in golf. I was struck thinking that I was holding the same trophy that has been held by the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank, Billy Mayfair, Matt Kuchar and many many others.

The USGA paired every media group with a player from the local area. My group played with Phillip Moica, a rising senior at Clemson. Playing a round with Phillip on No. 2 really gave me an appreciation of how difficult the course is, and how easy good players make it look to negotiate their way around the Donald Ross masterpiece.

In case your wondering, I shot 99 on No. 2. I take great pride in knowing that I needed a Par on the final hole to break 100, and I came through. To tell you the truth I could have shot 120 and still would have been grinning from ear to ear. Playing No. 2 for me isn't about what I shoot, it's simply enjoying the history that seems to echo off the tall pine trees and around every corner of the course.

If you have the chance to play the course, I would highly recommend it. If you have the chance to go out and watch the US amateur the week of Aug. 18-24, I would also recommend that. The players who are out there may not be household names, yet but I can promise that many of them will someday.

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