By ANNE MARIE TOBIN
With the 38th U.S. Senior Open just around the corner, now is the time to plan how to follow the championship action. The tournament, which features some of the world’s best professional and senior golfers age 50 and older, will be held at Salem Country Club in Peabody June 26 to July 3.
There are many options for golf fans to stay abreast of the action.
There is the old-fashioned way; strap on your most comfortable pair of walking shoes, sneakers or flip-flops, apply plenty of sunscreen and join the throngs of fans (expected to number up to 25,000 per day) at the course for an up-close-and-personal view.
If you’re unable to join the galleries, 16 hours of live television coverage will be broadcast in 100 countries, including all four rounds of the championship on the Fox and FS1 networks.
If social media is your thing, join the #USSeniorOpen conversation on Twitter and Instagram at @SalemCC1895 or @usga. Here is some handy information to help you get the most of your Senior Open experience.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Practice rounds are Monday, June 26, Tuesday, June 27, and Wednesday June 28. The championship rounds begin on Thursday, June 29, with the final round set to be played on Sunday, July 2. The gates open every day at 7 a.m. and close after the completion of play.
TICKETS
Tickets may be purchased online at the official championship website, www.2017ussenioropen.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the ticket booth at both the main entrance and satellite entrance. There are several ticket packages. General admission tickets are $25 for practice rounds (single day) and $50 for championship rounds (single day). Weekly general admission tickets that are good Monday through Sunday are $125 each and include a championship program voucher. Upgrades are also available. Ouimet Trophy Club ticket holders have access to the climate-controlled club located along the 17th fairway. Trophy Club tickets provide expanded beverage and dining options, flat-screen televisions and lounge seating along with a 15 percent merchandise discount and a championship program. Tickets cost $50 a day for practice rounds, $80 per day for championship rounds and $225 for a weekly ticket, good Monday through Sunday.
VIP tickets features include access to the climate-controlled 17th Green Suite with complimentary beer, wine and food as well as flat-screen TVs. This suite will be open from Wednesday, June 26, through Sunday’s final round. The cost of a single ticket is $1,350, two tickets are $2,400 and four tickets are $4,000. Corporate tickets are also available. For more information, please call the USGA at 978-818-6006.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Parking for the championship is free and off-site. The general parking lot is at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Route 1. Shuttles will provide transportation to and from the main entrance at Salem Country Club. The fairgrounds will be the only location with shuttle service for fans with general admission tickets. Handicapped parking, along with shuttle service, is also available in the general public parking lot.
VIP TRANSPORTATION
VIP shuttles will take VIP ticket holders to and from the satellite entrance, which is located at the Salem Country Club member’s entrance on Forest Street.
MAIN ENTRANCE
The main entrance is on Forest Street across the street from the 17th fairway.
CAMERAS/ELECTRONICS/CELL PHONES
Cameras are permitted during practice rounds, Monday through Thursday only, for personal use. Tablets, computers, video and/or audio recording devices and noise-producing devices of any kind (including portable speakers) are not allowed. Cellular mobile devices smaller than seven inches are permitted.
CONCESSIONS & REST ROOMS
Full menu concession stands are located inside the main entrance, next to the 6th and 13th greens, and in the lower parking lot on the left side of the 9th fairway. Limited menu concession stands can be found between the practice putting green and the 10th tee, between the 11th and 12th holes and between the 16th and 17th holes. Rest rooms will be near all menu concession stands, except the limited menu concession stand on the 10th hole.
FIRST AID
First aid stations are located inside the main entrance and in the lower parking lot between the 2nd and 9th holes. ATM An on-site ATM will be available at the main entrance.
JUNIOR TICKETS
Juniors age 17 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult (general admission only).
LEADERBOARDS
Several strategically-placed leaderboards are located throughout the course. Leaderboards will be at the 4th green, 6th green, 8th green, 9th green, 10th green, 13th green, 16th tee, 17th green and on the right side of the 18th fairway.
BLEACHERS
Bleachers are located behind the 1st and 10th tees and the 4th, 9th, 15th and 17th greens.
SECURITY SCREENING
Spectators and championship attendees will have to go through strict security screening prior to entering at all entrances. and will not be allowed to bring any of the items listed below. To expedite admission into the championship, it is recommended that all prohibited items be safely stowed prior to boarding the shuttle.
The following items are prohibited:
- All weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to firearms or knives)
- Explosives and/or fireworks of any kind
- Backpacks, briefcases and/or bags larger than 6-inches by 6-inches in their natural state (Note: Clear plastic hand and shoulder bags no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 (depth) are permitted)
- Signs, posters and/or banners.
- Food and/or beverages, except for medical or infant needs
- Containers and/or coolers except for medical or infant need (Note: personal care items (3 ounce size or less) and transparent/clear plastic empty water bottles (24 ounces or less) are permitted.)
- Pets, other than service animals assisting disabled individuals
- Lawn chairs and/or oversized chairs with arms. Compact chairs without arms are permitted with no case
- Ladders and/or step-stools or similar items
- Bicycles
TICKETS and WILL CALL
The tickets and will call area is located inside the main entrance.
MERCHANDISE TENTS
Merchandise tents are located inside the main and satellite entrances.
WELLNESS PAVILION
The Lahey Wellness Pavilion is located inside the main entrance.
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality villas and chalets are located along the left side of the 9th hole and right side of the 17th fairway.
WEATHER WARNINGS
The USGA will have meteorology staff on-site monitoring the weather. If inclement weather approaches, special “weather warning” signs will be posted on leaderboards. Fans are advised to take immediate precautions, including evacuation of all grandstands, prior to the suspension of play. Fans are advised to follow all safety and evacuation instructions.
HANDICAP SCOOTER RENTAL
Scooter rentals are available at the main entrance.
TELEVISION COVERAGE
The first two rounds of the championship will be televised live on FS1 from 2-7 p.m. Rounds three and four will be televised live on Fox from 1-6 p.m. The USGA will present bonus coverage of all four rounds on its website, www.usga.org; the first two rounds from 10 a.m. to noon and the final two rounds from 1 to 6 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Join the conversation about the #USSeniorOpen at Salem Country Club on social media. Twitter: @SalemCC1895 | @USGA Instagram: @SalemCC1895 | @USGA
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