Now as you all may well know, when it comes to events like the FBR Open we leave all the box score type stories to all the sports outlets as it would be pretty pointless to cover that specific angle of the event as there are so many people already covering that part of the FBR Open.

I poked around much of the open to find the stories that you wouldn’t see on TV or in the sports print media.  The more I looked, the more I kept coming back to the same thing.

In the middle of Day 2, on my way to the now infamous 16th hole, I stopped at the players practice areas (the driving range, putting green, and sand trap) and was mesmerized by the time and effort that the players who were about to start their days at the FBR Open put into their craft (as it were).  But the thing that really blew me away was around the time that rounds would get called for darkness, there was ALWAYS someone out there practicing.   Not just a few swings but time intensive work on the different aspects of their games.

I spent a good 20 to 30 minutes watching a golfer, at the end of a given day practicing a shot out of the sand and trying to hit a specific area on the practice green. Now this is among all the partiers going to and from the 16th hole completely and utterly in different stages of drunkeness and all the associated noise that goes along with it.  Not a thing phased him.  He put a ball in the sand, lined up his shot, mentally targeting the zone he wanted the ball to land in, and took his shot.  He must have done this at least 30 to 50 times and then switched his position in the sand and took even more shots from a completely different angle.

This may be something that isn’t new to you golf enthusiasts but for people like myself who don’t exactly know the amount and kinds of hard work that goes into simply becoming a player on the PGA Tour, this was an eye opening experience.  I could have sat there for hours just trying to simply recognize what the small adjustments made for each shot were.

I’ve always had a love and respect for golf that has never been to the fanatical levels like some fans are.  However, by simply just watching the PGA Tour players practice their craft, my respect and appreciation for Pro Golfers didn’t simply reach a new level but another dimension.  My time hanging out at the players practice areas gave me a tremendous inside look at what goes on when the cameras are either turned off or not focused on the players.

That’s right, I spent my time today (and yesterday) at the 16th hole the loudest and most unique hole in all of golf.  Thanks to some friends yesterday, I had the ability to view the 16th hole from all angles starting with the Tee off shots in the VIP section to the general admission bleachers at the opposite end of the hole today.

For those of you who have never been to the FBR Open, the 16th hole is legendary for two reasons:

1) The hole is partially enclosed by bleachers FILLED with people most of them drunk and partially by VIP booths where corporations pay an arm and a leg to sit and watch the action at the hole.

2) This is one of the few known areas in the Golf universe that the ‘quiet’ when golfers are about to take their stroke is merely a suggestion.

The seating is literally right ON the hole and it gives fans to really feel like they are a part of the action and cheer on every golfer no matter how good or how bad their score is for the day.  Sitting in the general admission section is like being a part of a mix of a baseball game, a hockey game, and a kegger.

I’ve been to a TON of sporting events in my time (in the US and out of the country) and I have to admit that next to the World Cup (Soccer), sitting at the 16th hole among all the hardcore and temporary golf fans was one of the most fun and exciting experiences I’ve ever had the fortune to witness in my life.

I am beginning to see why the FBR is penciled in on everyone’s calendar months in advance and why this is one of the most unique experiences in all of golf.

If you make it out to the FBR Open, a stop at the 16th hole is a MUST!

Editors note: Regarding the ability to take pictures at the FBR Open and the Bird’s Nest, the matter was clarified by one of the on-site PGA media heads.  AZ Vibe was not granted the permission to take photos at the FBR Open.  We will not be publishing any of our FBR Open photos we have taken so far from the event and will not be taking or publishing photos for the duration of the event.  The PGA Media heads have been gracicous in that they will be sending us photos of some of the greatests parts of the FBR Open.  We sincerely appreciate the assistance the PGA and the FBR Open in the publishing of our articles.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Today is the first of many reports from the FBR Open.  We will be making periodic reports throughout the course of the entire Tournament.

I headed out to the Bird’s Nest tonight to check out what exactly it’s all about.  From what I’ve been reading on all the Facebook event invites floating around, I knew already that this was going to be a popular destination and there would be TONS of people there.  Tonight featured O.A.R as the main headliner.  The only thing that I’ve heard of them was samples of their songs on iTunes.  That’s about all.  Even from the clips I listened to I got the impression that I was in store for ‘Death Cab for Cutie – Part II’.

You all may know that ‘Death Cab for Cutie’ is a Seattle band who writes somewhat catchy pop songs but their major failure with ‘Death Cab for Cutie’ (as is with 99% of bands in this age of crap music) is that they don’t know how to do a live show at all.  I saw them at two stages of their careers.  At the beginning of their careers in Seattle and a coupe of years ago in San Diego.  Both times were horrid and both times they didn’t know the first thing about putting on a live show.

I try not to go into shows with pre-conceived notions about bands but let’s face it.  Putting on a live show for fans is a lost art.  Only local band Black Carl understands how to put on a KILLER live show.  Little did I know I would be adding another band to my small list of bands I would sell my mother to get tickets to go see.

As I entered the Bird’s Nest, I was quickly enveloped by a killer party atmosphere.  Food, drinks, even a hooka/cigar tent were among the many features of the public portion of the Bird’s Nest.  As I approached the main stage/party tent O.A.R was in full gear and kicking out the jams.  The more they played the more they not only visibly were having fun playing but they worked the crowd musically and vocally like experienced musicians should.

Then they added the one ingredient into a live show that has the potential for O.A.R. to gain new fans….they played cover songs that everyone knew and loved…and they played them well.  The one song in particular was a cover of the Beatles ‘With a little help from my friends’, but done in the 60′s Joe Cocker/Woodstock fashion.  That is how bands get bigger and gain a stronger following.

If you ever see O.A.R. come to town again, have the chance to watch their live footage on YouTube, or pick up one of their albums, DO IT!!  You will not be disappointed.  This is a band you need to go see!

I plan on hitting the Bird’s Nest a few more times as I want to see the crowds as the weekend is now here.

My only complaint about the evening (if you want to call it that) was not the festivities or the events that went on that night, it was the clear lack of communication between the security staff to allow the press to do their jobs.  I was able to take a few close up photos of the band but was not allowed to finish my job, even after I showed my press credentials.  It was clear to me that the Security staff was not experienced in handling concert events, nor were they experienced in assisting the press to do their jobs.  To make things better for next year hiring a music press consultant during the planning stages of next years events would help make coverage of future Bird’s Nest events a smoother expereince for all involved.

Other than that.  You all need to get off your butts and shake your booty at the Bird’s Nest before it’s gone.  As with any fun event, the more the people you bring, the more fun you will have!  This event will sell out this weekend so get your tickets NOW!!!

Today is the first of many reports from the FBR Open.  We will be making periodic reports throughout the course of the entire Tournament.

Well, I just got back from an impressive opening session from the current leader of the FBR Open, David Berganio, Jr. at -5 for the day (ED Note: His score has since been beaten by Australian James Nitties and American Lucas Glover atop the leaderboard).   I followed Mr. Berganio for a good eight holes or so watching each shot, each putt and I have to say this man is in a ZONE right now.  Nothing is phasing this man as he attacked and pretty much owned the course this morning/afternoon with a calm yet fierce attitude with each shot he took around the FBR Open.

The best way to describe his amazing play and concentration this morning would be taking Kevin Costner’s role as…wait for it…it’s not Tin Cup…Billy Chapel in the 1999 movie ‘For the Love of the Game’ (Click Link for more info).  In this movie Billy Chapel plays a pitcher who is (without giving up too much of the plot) pitching in Yankee Stadium near the end of his career.  Before he pitches each inning he utters the phrase ‘Clear the Mechanism’ which blocks out every sound and object around him except for the next task at hand.

The moment David Berganio, Jr. stepped on to the first hole this morning, his ‘mechanism’ was cleared and he proceeded to completely and utterly destroy the course like a conquering warrior beginning his claim on making the FBR Open his own.

If he keeps this pace up, he just might come out on top.

Stay Tuned!  Our Review of the Bird’s Nest comes tonight!