SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kris Bala wouldn't be anywhere right now but the Phoenix Open. In fact, he hasn't been anywhere but the Phoenix Open this time of year for the last 43 years.
“I have not missed a single Phoenix Open from 1981," Bala said.
Bala moved to Arizona in 1979 and worked as an oral surgeon. His first Phoenix Open came just two years later.
Back then, it was a smaller event. It was held at the Phoenix Country Club in downtown Phoenix, there was no 16th Hole and no massive crowds. He could walk right up to the golfers... and did.
“My favorite one was in the old course when we used to play in downtown in Phoenix," Bala said. "It is really fantastic because you can talk to Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus. Lee Trevino is a real guy.”
We found Kris Bala by accident. He was walking past the fifth tee wearing a Super Bowl XXX jacket. He remembers that Super Bowl well. He was at the Open, though, as he always was. The game was held in Tempe and he remembers the golfers being picked up by helicopter to head to Sun Devil Stadium.
But his 43-year streak almost ended this year.
Bala said he thought he would miss the open. It was raining, cold, miserable...and he had no ticket.
"My son surprised me with a ticket," he said.
The streak stayed alive, and Bala can check another Phoenix Open off his list.
"I'm retired so there's nothing to do but play golf," he said. "One day my age and my golf score will meet."