If you have ever seen a professional golfer hit a shot well off target and thought to yourself, "I bet I could have done better than that," then maybe the 14th hole at the KLM Open in The Netherlands is where you're supposed to be this week.
This isn't a joke. On the 14th hole, fans will get to partake in a closest to the pin challenge during Thursday-Sunday rounds against the tour pros on the 133-yard hole. Here's a bit more information, courtesy of the European Tour.
"The concept, formulated by tournament sponsors KLM and ING Private Banking, was a huge success in 2016 and with the support of the players the challenge will be played over three days this time around, compared to just two days last year.
Once each of the pros has hit their tee shot in front of the stadium crowd on the 14th hole, a fan will be introduced to the tee and have one shot to try and hit inside the shots of the professionals. In addition to local fans and competition winners, Dutch sport stars, including footballer Durk Kuyt, will also take on the Beat The Pro challenge.
If an amateur is successful in "beating the pros", he/she will win two return flights anywhere in Europe, courtesy of the tournament sponsor KLM."
Kuyt was unable to beat the pros in his group, but a young woman in the crowd named Lauren Hillebrand beat her competition for the second year in a row, stuffing her tee shot to a few feet away from the hole. Impressive stuff.
As for me, I would have to have all the fans sign a waiver, clearing me any of responsibility for an errant shot. Even at such a short distance, I'd be lucky for my shot to hold the green with all those eyes on me. Luckily, these pros and fans are much, much better than me.