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For Miller, it’s tee time at US Open
The attention Dennis Miller has received over the past week has all built up to this moment. Today, he’ll step into the tee box on the 520-yard, par 4, hole No. 1 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco ready to show the nation that he’s more than just a Cinderella tale from the storybook land of Youngstown, Ohio.
His name will be announced in front of thousands gathered there and even more watching around the world.
“It’s going to be pretty scary,” Miller said. “I’m getting nervous just thinking about it.”
“His brain has to be spinning like a top,” colleague and former PGA Tour player Jerry McGee said.
McGee, who lives in East Palestine, broke on to the Tour in 1967. That first year, he played The Olympic Club as part of the Lucky International.
“It’s a very quirky golf course,” McGee said. “On the dogleg lefts, the fairways slope to the right. On the dogleg rights, the fairways slop to the left. That’s very awkward for a player to get used to.
“The fog, too,” he added. “You couldn’t see where the ball was going. I had no clue where the greens were because the fog was so thick that you couldn’t see anything.”
McGee played in a number of U.S. Opens with his best finish (13th) coming at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., in 1971. Lee Trevino won the title, his second.
“You can practice on all kinds of courses, but when you get to the U.S. Open, it’s entirely different,” McGee said. “The [United States Golf Association] makes the courses ridiculous. They have in their head that even par should win. It’s the standard.
“They don’t put gravel on the infield of the World Series, they don’t raise the net at Wimbledon, they don’t slick the floor in the NBA Finals, yet the USGA has to trick up the golf course in the U.S. Open.”
Miller didn’t play any holes at The Olympic Club on Thursday. However, he did take three hours’ worth of practice strokes and listened intently to Bubba Watson’s press conference.
“Bubba said, ‘If you could play [holes] 1-6 two to three over par, you’ve probably picked up strokes on the field.’ That’s how challenging it is.”
A week before his sectional qualifier in Columbus, Miller played a round with George Bellino, the golf pro at Tippecanoe Country Club.
“He was striking the ball real well,” Bellino said. “Straight and long is his game. He didn’t make many mistakes.”
Bellino, like McGee, played at Ohio State. At age 19, he played in his first professional event and participated in Tour events until 2003.
“You get used to the crowds and attention,” he said. “There’s always people that know you, even if you’re out in California. People recognize you and get a kick out of seeing you up close.”
That was McGee’s biggest concern for Miller — especially coupled with a high-profile golfer such as Casey Martin.
“I told him, ‘Don’t hit any shot until you’re absolutely ready,’” McGee said. “You can get a little quick, and you’re concentrating a little more on the camera than you are on the shot.
“He’s gotten a lot of hoopla since he’s been out there,” McGee added. “He’s been on camera, he’s smiling and enjoying it, so that will help him to tee it up and be ready.”
The last time the U.S. Open was played at The Olympic Club was 1997. Lee Janzen was the champion for a second time, shooting even par.
“You know going in that you’re not going to make a bunch of birdies, and you’re going to make a bunch of bogeys,” McGee said. “It’s like tippy-toeing through hell without getting burnt.”
“That’s good advice,” Miller said, laughing. “Par will be a lifesaver.”