N.Y. has lots of aloha for MacLachlin
Greg Nichols, Director of Golf at Ko Olina Golf Club, accompanied former Punahou School star Parker McLachlin to this week's U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Nichols is providing Advertiser readers a behind-the-scenes look at McLachlin's experience at the U.S. Open.
By Greg Nichols
Special to the Advertiser
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Parker McLachlin again had a great time over here.
The New York crowd is such a rowdy crowd, more than anywhere else you see in the country.
What's really interesting is the crowd has seemed to have adopted Parker.
They call out, "Aloha, Parker. ... Hey, Parker, you like the sand? ... Parker, we'll see you Sunday."
He's smiling, the crowd loves him.
He's been having to get used to signing a lot of autographs. He literally had to sign hundreds and hundreds of autographs.
It's really exciting for him, but he's really taking it in stride.
He's out on the driving range and he has Retief Goosen (2001 U.S. Open champion) on one side, Ray Floyd (22 PGA Tour victories) on another, Ernie Els on another.
Parker really looks like he belongs out there. He is staying with his routine.
Today was preparation day, so he decided to take it easy. He went to the practice range, and went out to play nine holes with Kevin Stadler, son of Craig Stadler.
Kevin looks just like a young Craig Stadler.
Scott Simpson and Craig were college roommates at USC and Simpson introduced Parker to Craig. Craig introduced his son to Parker.
The Aloha connection is strong here.
We bumped into Paul Spengler Jr., a former Waialae Country Club member and member of the Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame.
Paul is the vice president of operations at Pebble Beach and he announced that Pebble Beach will host the 2010 U.S. Open.
Also bumped into Steve Cryan, son of John, who was a head professional at Hickam in 1970s and '80s.
Steve is now director of merchandising for Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina (site of 2005 U.S. Open).
Another with a Hawai'i connection is Tom Neiporte, who played at lot of golf at Navy-Marine and won several local tournaments in the 1950s.
Also here is Curtis Kono, who is superintendent at Oahu Country Club. He's here to help with the preparation of the tournament.
Parker has a tremendous amount of friends and family who have flown to watch him play.
His aunts and uncles from Hawai'i and California are here, as are his mom and dad, Beth and Chris.
Greg Nichols was Parker McLachlin's first coach when, at the age of 7, McLachlin took up the game of golf. McLachlin, 25, plays on the Hooter's Tour and qualified for the U.S. Open on June 7 by shooting a 145 at Turtle Bay Resort's Palmer Course, in Hawai'i's first-ever sectional qualifying.
