U.S. Open (Golf) Fan Guide 2015

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12 1 1 5 T H U . S . O P E N C H A M B E R S B A Y AVOID FAKE SOUVENIRS Friday, June 12, 2015 • Thenewstribune.com/Entertainment Northwest sports fans should be used to warnings about counterfeit souvenirs after the Seahawks’ recent trips to the Super Bowl. Counterfeit apparel and accessories was the No. 1 seized item in 2012, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. And NFL gear is one of the most counterfeited types of apparel. The biggest issue with golf is counterfeit equipment. Still, the U.S. Customs and the USGA offer a few tips to avoid purchasing counterfeits: ■ Only purchase U.S. Open merchandise from its official stores and its online store, usgashop.com. ■ People selling merchandise outside the event are most likely not selling official merchandise, said Mary Lopuszynski of the USGA. “We don’t do that,” she said. ■ Beware of flashy websites designed to trick people into purchasing counterfeits. Andrew Munoz, spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement in the Northwest, recommends studying the websites first. They often have hints such as pages that aren’t completely built, poor grammar, contact emails with generic domain names such as gmail- .com and hotmail.com. ■ If items ship directly from China it should be a red flag, Munoz said. ■ Counterfeit sites will pay for ads on search engines so don’t assume the top results and the advertised results are legitimate, Munoz said. ■ And beware of scams on even reputable auction websites such as eBay. One common scam, Munoz said, is after bidding on an item you’re informed you just missed or the winning bidder backed out. The seller then asks for you to pay directly for the item bypassing the buyer protection services provided by eBay and PayPal. Never do this, Munoz says. “It’s buyer beware,” Munoz said. “As the customers get savvier, so do the counterfeiters.” DEAN J. KOEPFLER Staff photographer The palatial U.S. Open merchandise tent has already been erected at Chambers Bay and it’s bigger than the one at last year’s tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The 41,000 square-foot tent is 2,000 square-feet larger because the USGA decided to add 10 more cash registers to reduce lines. US Open a souvenir bonanza Hats, T-shirts and jackets are among the variety of merchandise available BY CRAIG HILL Staff writer The United States Golf Association expects to sell enough hats at the U.S. Open to cover the heads of all 32,000 University Place residents three times. Hats tend to be the most popular souvenir at the U.S. Open golf tournament, said USGA merchandise director Mary Lopuszynski, and 100,000 are expected to be sold. The merchandise tent opened at Chambers Bay on Thursday. “They’re always popular items,” Lopuszynski said of the $27-$32 hats. “You don’t have to know somebody’s size to get them a hat.” Judging by the excitement percolating regarding the South Sound’s first major golf tournament, Lopuszynski is expecting merchandise sales to break par at the U.S. Open. She forecasts selling 80,000 golf shirts ($39-80), 25,000 towels ($16-22), 40,000 ball markers ($2) and numerous other souvenirs. “And we are trying to cover every price point,” said Lopuszynski, who says the most expensive merchandise will include $400 jackets and $500 pieces of golf art. THE VENUE The palatial U.S. Open merchandise tent has already been erected at Chambers Bay and it’s bigger than the one at last year’s tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The 41,000 square-foot tent is 2,000 square-feet larger because the USGA decided to add 10 more cash registers to reduce lines. The tent opened for shopping Thursday, four days before the first practice round. Friday through Sunday will be the only time visitors can shop there without a ticket for the event. The USGA typically sells 5,000-7,000 items during this four-day window, but Lopuszynski expects to sell even more this year. “I’ve heard so much from the community about how excited they are,” Lopuszynski said. “I expect it to be one of our best (pre-tournament sales).” Busy as it may be, it could also prove to be one of the best times to shop. As the week moves on, it will only get more crowded. On the final two days of the tournament, it’s not uncommon for the doors to be closed regularly while the event staff waits for the crowd to thin out. ‘EXCLUSIVITY’ Unlike other major sporting events such See MERCHANDISE, 13
13 1 1 5 T H U . S . O P E N C H A M B E R S B A Y MERCHANDISE From12 as the Super Bowl in which local stores can be flooded with souvenirs, the USGA will limit where people can buy U.S. Open souvenirs. Your options: The venue’s merchandise tent, a small selection of Ralph Lauren shirts at Macy’s and the event’s online store (usgashop.com). Why the limitation? “We just try to keep it more special, for those coming to the U.S. Open,” Lopuszynski said. “More exclusive.” And don’t expect a slashing-prices, everything-must-go sale on June 22, the day after the tournament. “We’re only going to be open (June 22) if there’s a playoff,” Lopuszynski said. 12’S, COUGS & UW Lopuszynski has worked for the USGA for 21 years and says the Northwest’s passion for their local sports teams is at a level higher than most areas who’ve hosted U.S. Opens. Fans of the Seahawks, University of Washington and Washington State University caught the USGA’s attention as they planned merchandise for the event. “So you will find merchandise that is purple and crimson and blue and lime green,” Lopuszynski said. LET IT RAIN From $3 plastic backpacks to $400 Gortex jackets, there will be plenty of merchandise designed to keep fans dry. Much more of these items than most U.S. Opens. Washington’s reputation for wet weather DAVID MONTESINO Staff photographer Some of the U.S. Open gear available for purchase. led to a drastic shift in the way the USGA will stock the souvenir tent. Most years, the USGA stocks one piece of outerwear for every eight shirts. At Chambers Bay it will be closer to one piece of outerwear for every two shirts. “We’re shifting to what it (weather) will likely be,” Lopuszynski said. She says the USGA made a similar shift at the 2012 tournament in San Francisco. There, it was concerned more about cooler temperatures than precipitation and Lopuszynski said it stocked one piece of outerwear for approximately every three shirts. LOCAL COMPANIES Lopuszynski says the USGA tries to bring local companies into the fold when it comes to U.S. Open merchandise. Seattle-based Cutter & Buck and Oregon-based Nike already gave the USGA a strong tie to the Northwest. But some smaller Northwest companies will also find a spot in the merchandise tent. Seattle’s Blowing Sands will make blown-glass souvenirs with the U.S. Open logo. Lopuszynski says items will range from $25 ornaments to $200 vases. Beaverton’s Seamus Golf will sell ball markers ($20) and golf club head covers ($79) that buyers can have personalized at no additional charge, Lopuszynski said. THE KIDS Merchandise for children has proven to be one of the fastest-growing categories of U.S. Open souvenirs, Lopuszynski said. WHERE TO BUY ■ The main merchandise pavilion is open to all from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday (June 12)-Sunday. There will be complimentary parking near Chambers Bay. Look for signs. ■ The main pavilion and secondary tent will be open only to ticket holders 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-June 21. Little golf shirts (“They are adorable,” Lopuszynski said) go quick, and pink ones are especially popular for girls. Perhaps the most popular item for kids is the $12 over-sized rubber golf balls manufactured by Renton-based Baden Sports. The balls can be used as a toy or, more commonly, as an item for collecting autographs. CONVENIENCE SHOPPING Lopuszynski says the tournament will offer several perks for shoppers. A bag check area will allow them to stow their purchases so they don’t have to lug them around the hilly course. And a UPS tent is set up for shipping gifts right away. This could be particularly beneficial for last-minute shoppers. Father’s Day is June 21, the final day of the tournament. WHERE TO SEE THE U.S. OPEN TROPHY The trophy will make a nationwide tour that will end in Western Washington. Area stops include: SATURDAY ■ 8-11 a.m. at Willows Run Golf Course in Redmond. ■ 1-3 p.m. at Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle. SUNDAY 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the Flag Day ceremony at Chambers Bay in University Place. TUESDAY 2-4 p.m. American Lake Veteran’s Golf Course in Lakewood. WEDNESDAY-JUNE 22 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, noon-7 p.m. Thursday-June 22 at the U.S. Open for the All Fan Experience at South Lake Union Park in Seattle. Friday, June 12, 2015 • Thenewstribune.com/Entertainment 1776398-01 NOW OPEN DeLong’s DeLuxe “Morning Grind” (espresso, breakfast sandwiches, snacks) 8901 BRIDGEPORT WAY, LAKEWOOD (253) 301-0282 DELONGSDELUXE.COM Free FRIES w/purchase of any two items. (Burgers, Dogs, Shakes or Sundae) With coupon. Not valid with any other offer. Exp. 7/15/15 Free SUNDAE w/purchase of combo meal or equivalent With coupon. Not valid with any other offer. Exp. 7/15/15 OPEN DAILY 11am-8pm 1760092-01 U.S. Golf Open Special MENTION THIS AD FOR 50% Off FIRST READING Psychic Boutique By April Palm $ 20 - $ 30 Tarot Card $ 45 - $ 55 Psychic Readings $ 75 - $ 110 Also Available for Chakra Balancing Holistic Healing Private Meditation Classes 253.363.1458 3100 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor Also available for private parties. gigharborpsychic@yahoo.com 1760404-01
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U.S. Open (Golf) Fan Guide 2015

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