This past weekend, I checked something off my golf bucket list: attending my first professional golf tournament. I went to the 2026 FM Championship at TPC Boston with my brother, who had passes to one of the hospitality tents and invited me along.
It was also my first time at TPC Boston, and seeing the course in person did not disappoint. The fairways looked perfect, the greens were immaculate, and the whole course was buzzing with excitement. Watching the LPGA players up close was especially impressive. Their swings looked so effortless that it almost made golf seem easy, though we all know that is definitely not the case.
I have been playing golf for about eight years, and over that time I have grown to love not only playing the game but watching it as well. One thing I have really come to appreciate is the mental side of golf. Watching these professionals up close made that even more obvious. With a crowd surrounding them, cameras everywhere, and so much happening around the course, they somehow managed to completely focus on the shot in front of them.
One of my favorite parts of the day was realizing just how hard it is to stay quiet at a professional tournament! Every time a player was getting ready to hit, the tent would get the familiar “QUIET!” warning. As someone who used to teach junior golfers, I couldn’t help but think about how much I would have loved to teach those kids that kind of focus and maybe learn a little of it myself!
Of course, the merchandise tent was another highlight. They conveniently make you walk through it on the way into the tournament and again on the way out, which makes it almost impossible not to buy something. Naturally I did, but I think that is the fun of it, now I have something to remind me of the day.
The weather could not have been better, the course was beautiful, and it was great getting to experience professional golf with my brother. Ruoning Yin ultimately won the 2026 FM Championship, but for me, the best part was simply being there and getting to see the game I love played at the highest level with the company of my brother.
It was a great day, a great tournament, and hopefully the first of many professional golf tournaments to come! One day I hope to make it to the Masters!