These people fall into three categories:
- First, you have those who just want to get on TV. When they spot the ball bounding into the trees, they're primary concern isn't getting as close as possible to the ball. Sure, they'll chase it down like the best of them. But, what they really want is to be seen by their buddies back home. Before they even get to the ball, they start turning as they run, waving like mad, hoping and praying that the camera will catch them. You would think that the Masters would attract a slightly higher class patron than the Greenbrier Classic. But, it doesn't look that way when you consider these guys.
- Second, you have the self-proclaimed golf police. They're the ones who chase after the ball and, as soon as they get to it, decide that it's their duty to take over. They start waving their arms, holding people back as if their life depended on it. You can read the thoughts going through their minds: "Don't these other people know they're not supposed to get too close to the ball? The world might end if one of these crazies actually touched the ball. I must keep them all away from it. The golf gods need me now." Who are these people?
- Finally, there's the wayward father. This is the guy who momentarily forgets that he's at the Masters with his young son. He's easy to spot. When he sees the golf ball go bounding past him, he immediately starts chasing after it. About two-thirds of the way there, he stops short, remembering that he just left his seven-year old in the dust. A few seconds later, you see the little guy come into view. Dad sheepishly reaches down, awkwardly puts his arm around his son's shoulder, and then half-drags, half-carries his son over to the crowd that's gathered around the ball. I always feel the worst for this guy. For one thing, everyone watching on TV saw him abandon his son. To top it off, he's now on the outside looking in as he's been too slow to get close enough to the ball to get a good view. Poor guy.
