Sports/Olympics / Newsmaker

Wie trying to make history at U.S. Open
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-05 20:24

While she has played all over the world and recently competed in a frenzied atmosphere in Korea about a month ago, it will be interesting to see how Wie reacts with a media throng on hand and a bigger than expected crowd anticipated.

George Krieger, a Canoe Brook member from nearby Chatham, plans on attending.

"I think it's a chance to be here when history is made," Krieger said.

"I've been in six different golf clubs over the last month and all the talk is about her," fellow member Dick Bishof of Basking Ridge said.

Allan Small, the current New Jersey Mid-Amateur champion, got a chance to see Wie up close Sunday. They hit side-by-side on the driving range after Wie played her last hole.

It was ironic. Small is a 54-year-old electrician who believes he is the oldest player in this sectional. Wie is the youngest.

"I kept looking to make sure my ball finished higher on the (range) net than hers," Small of Florham Park quipped.

Small then got serious, recalling another time on the range about a decade ago when he was preparing for a U.S. Amateur. The kid next to him then was Tiger Woods.

"Maybe he was a junior in high school, or sophomore year, pretty much the same age as she is," Small said. "I got to watch him, and I just got to do the same thing with her. She could equal Tiger easily for the women."


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