Given the sequence of events over the past eight months, it makes a lot of sense for Spokane’s Dave Christenson to start Thursday at the prestigious US Senior Open.
As it should be: in an improbable and meandering way.
There probably isn’t another player in the 156-man field who seriously considered quitting golf last winter. Christenson made his annual winter trip to Florida to work on his game, but his scores soared in the wrong direction.
“I told my wife I was tired of doing all this work and not seeing the results,” Christenson said Wednesday, just before his final practice session at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. “She told me to keep going.”
Wise words that helped Christenson find his game again. He didn’t play well in the Florida tournaments, but slowly improved when he returned to Spokane.
“I’ve worked with (instructor) Cheryl Anderson the last two years,” said Christenson, who retired after a five-year stint as Circling Raven’s director of golf and now works part time at The Club at Black Rock. “It seems like every time I go there, she tells me something Gary Lindeblad used to tell me when I worked for him (at Indian Canyon).
“It’s a lot of the same teaching philosophies and techniques. I refocused on golf when I retired. She helped me improve things and make some changes. Everything started working in spring. I think my confidence just increased, but it was also an experience and some competitive rounds thanks to the beating I got in Florida and the difficulties I had.”
Christenson, 56, came close to qualifying for the US Senior Open a couple of times before heading across the state to Oakbrook Golf Club near Tacoma for a qualifying match in May.
There is probably no other player in the US Senior Open field who has had a qualifying experience like Christenson, who was in the first group and shot a solid par 71. He checked the scores of the players in the field and quite a few were under average. Christenson believed 3 or 4 under par would be necessary to compete for two qualifying spots among 80 players.
“I got in my car and drove back to Spokane,” he said. “As soon as I got back, I got a call saying I was in a playoff for second place in 10 minutes. “Well, I’m not going to make it.”
Jeff Coston was the medalist with a 1-under 70 and Steven Dorigo (71) took second place.
Christenson was the first substitute. His old friend Pete Caruso, who caddies for Christenson this week, suggested making plane reservations to Rhode Island just in case.
“I got called into Black Rock and the guy was like, ‘I hope you’re having a great day, but I’m going to make your day better,’” Christenson said. “Coston pulled out, I think he had back problems, that’s why I was able to come in.”
Christenson played in a U.S. Amateur Public Links, but called the U.S. Senior Open “kind of the biggest golf tournament I’ve ever played in.”
Thursday will begin at 7:10 a.m. Eastern Time and Friday at 12:50 p.m. She has spent three days studying the links-style, par-70 golf course, just over 7,000 yards.
Newport Country Club reminds you of Gamble Sands in Brewster. Christenson was the head pro when Gamble Sands opened in 2014.
“It’s pretty open off the tee,” he said. “Interestingly, there is no irrigation on the fairways, they only water the tees and greens. They had a wet spring, so it’s really lush and the field is long.
“The complicated part will be the wind. It is quite exposed and the wind could be a major factor. Most greens have front entry, so a lot of guys will bump, run, and hit cheap shots. Tons of slope on the greens. A true test of golf.”
One that requires solid execution, trust in your skills, and the right mindset.
“My goals are just to play the field and not make it any bigger than it is,” he said. “A guy I looked up to in Florida told me, ‘If you ever get to a tournament like this, have fun and enjoy it; Don’t overreact and practice without stopping.’ So that’s what I’ve tried to do.”
What will be going through your mind on the first tee on Thursday with an interesting last eight months in the rearview mirror.
“I’m sure there will be some nerves, but I think it will be fun,” Christenson said. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity to see where my game is and where I need to improve.”
Jim Meehan can be reached at 509-459-5585 or jimm@spokesman.com.
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