It’s dawn at Warwick Hills Country Club and officer Paul Connelly is waiting for work to begin.
A shiny new Buick arrives at the clubhouse now, nestled among a myriad of communication trailers and satellite dishes tied together with ribbons of cables.
Connelly’s assignment for the Buick Open has just arrived.
‘Tiger Woods drives himself to Warwick Hills and typically shows up with a bag of McDonald’s,? smiles Connelly, a 13-year veteran Grand Blanc Township policeman and 1991 Brandon High School graduate. ‘Woods, the top golfer in the world has the first option of selecting his tee time’it’s often first at 7 a.m.?
Donning street clothes and a cap to blend into the droves of spectators, Connelly will spend the next four days shadowing Woods as he competes in the Buick Open’providing police protection and assuring his safety during the PGA event.
While the 2009 Buick Open marks the fourth event Connelly has worked with Woods, the two have spoken very little over the years.
‘On Wednesday during the Pro Am, Woods jokes around but he’s all business when the tournament starts on Thursday morning.?
‘It’s not about the money for Woods, or for many of the professional golfers for that matter at the Buick Open,? said Connelly, who earned a degree in law enforcement from Ferris State University in 1995.
‘Woods and others are there to win. It’s all about the competition.?
The crowds are massive, said Connelly.
‘People are really pretty good around him. Once in awhile they may jab him with a pen or something. Sometimes the crowd just gets a little overzealous. But they are excited to see him and get a possible autograph or signed ball. Tiger is very good about autographs’it’s the kids he’s quick to sign for’I’ve never seen him sign for an adult. It’s understandable people are upset with each other. Once in awhile a spectator yells out at an inappropriate time’but that’s about the worst it gets.?
Connelly said on Wednesday Woods joined with Ann Arbor native and rock legend Bob Seger in the Pro Am event.
‘I’ve watched the crowds triple when he shows up for the Pro Am. When he leaves, the crowds trickle out.?
‘Tiger is every bit the best,? said Connelly. ‘When he swings you can see the club speed and the contact on the ball. He can just crush it’from the impact to the whiz of the ball down the fairway’a ball hit 300 yards at that speed is just amazing.?
‘When Tiger has a bad shot, he talks to himself,? said Connelly. ‘He’ll tip his hat down and laugh or drop the occasional swear word. Never too loud, though’plenty of times he’ll say sarcastically, ‘Oh, nice shot, Tiger? or ‘I can’t believe it,? following a shot.?
While Connelly is a self-proclaimed, ‘pretty good golfer,? with a nine handicap, he admits, considering a request to have Woods evaluate his golf swing.
‘I’m positive after two or three hours of instruction Woods could take two or three strokes off my golf game,? Connelly laughs.
‘But I keep it professional’and just do my job. I know, too, that when I’m standing near Woods and he hits the ball straight down the fairway or drops the ball on the green, near the pin on a par four, I’ve been watching the greatest golfer in the world.?
Prior to the start of the 2009 Buick Open, several unofficial reports were circulating regarding the future of the PGA tournament.
‘The Buick Open is great for Grand Blanc and the entire area,? said Connelly.
‘Warwick Hills is a great place for golf. I’ve worked here for 12 seasons and even now in tough economic times the crowds keep coming back. The professional golfers love it here, too. In the clubhouse they all comment how great the course is, how fast the greens are to putt on’I’ve never heard anything negative about Warwicl, ? he said
‘They also love to finish a course 20 under par. Woods won his 50th PGA tournament here’I’m sure he’d like to come back.?