Our Golf Tradition

In 2009 when Evan was barely 2 years old, he and his daddy started a tradition.  Our city hosts a big event every Spring quite literally in our own "backyard."  Seriously, we could walk to this golf course easily, and the longest part of the walk would be getting through our neighborhood.  The name of the golf tournament has changed a few times through the years as it is sponsored by one of the mega-banks headquartered here in Charlotte.  Charlotte, as you may know, is a banking center (the second largest financial headquarters in the country behind NYC).  It is home to the corporate offices of Bank of America and Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia).  The tournament was formerly hosted by Wachovia.  During the financial and banking crisis a couple years ago, the tournament was just sponsored by the golf course itself (Quail Hollow) and was called the Quail Hollow Championship.  Now, it is the Wells Fargo Championship.  All of the world's best golfers are usually in attendance, and the boys love going on the Pro Am day so they can take pictures and get autographs.  Unfortunately, our favorite, Tiger Woods, wasn't there this year although he has attended every previous year.  The only year mommy attended with the boys was in 2010 when she and Evan got Tiger's autograph on one of the photos we had taken the year before.  Evan's other favorite, Phil Mickelson, was in attendance so he wasn't disappointed.  He even got Phil's autograph although it meant hanging around all day until Phil finished playing because he only signs at the end.  We were really pulling for Phil to win this year, and he almost did until the last three holes on Sunday.  Oh well, third place isn't too bad!

One thing I love the most about this experience is seeing the progression of Evan's growth captured by the pictures since they are all pretty much at the same time every year.  I can't believe he started going at 2 years old and is now 6.  I am a little sad that Brody didn't go this year, but daddy plans to take him next year.  This is the difference between Evan at 2 and Brody at 2.  Evan just seemed so much calmer, and we felt that daddy wouldn't be able to keep Brody from running off onto the course.  I think Brody is actually more typical of most 2 year olds though.  I just love this little progression of pictures of Evan through the years.

It was a little rainy and cloudy this year so the pictures were a little harder to get, but the boys had a good time.  Thankfully, Uncle Paul got them tickets that included passes into the indoor Champions Club where they could eat lunch where it was dry.  More pictures from this year:

My sweet boy enjoying a mid-morning snack.

Sporting his newest hat with some autographs he already acquired.

Staying warm and dry inside the Champions Club. 

The Pro-Am leader board.

{To be filled in by my husband}

{To be filled in by my husband}

He's a pro at getting autographs now.

Waiting for his autograph.

{To be filled in by my husband}

Filling up his hat.

{To be filled in by my husband}

{To be filled in by my husband}

Can't miss this golfer, can you?  Ricky Fowler always wears the brightest attire sponsored by Puma.   Eddie said there were so many adult men attempting to dress like this guy.  Ha!  

Ricky is an up and coming young golfer named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2010.  Also the winner of the Wells Fargo Championship in 2012.

There is something so elegant about the game of golf. 

Catching up to Phil. 

Phil's big swing.

Confidently strolling across the course. 

Phil Mickelson - Winner of 49 professional tournaments, 3 Masters, 5 U.S. Opens, and 1 PGA Championship. 

Nice putt!

That cocky smile.  

Waiting his turn.  

Lining up a shot. 

Angel Cabrera, Argentinian golfer and winner of a  U.S. Open and a Masters

Waiting for Phil's autograph!