US OPEN ticket scalping

The US Open in underway at Southern Hills Country Club. If you're looking for tickets just drive down Lewis Avenue and you'll find some, especially since scalping is perfectly legal in Oklahoma.

Wednesday, June 13th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The US Open in underway at Southern Hills Country Club. If you're looking for tickets just drive down Lewis Avenue and you'll find some, especially since scalping is perfectly legal in Oklahoma.

KOTV's Diane White takes a closer look at the deals. A steady flow of fans loads into buses, headed for the Southern Hills Country Club. Scattered among eager fans - anxious scalpers. "I'm actually selling them for less than they're worth." At the corner of 81st and Lewis, Scott Schein is trying to unload some extra tickets. "This one's for tomorrow - 30. These are trophy tickets, both of these for 60 bucks, and they're face value of 60 bucks." Some interest, but no takers." "If I sell em, I sell em, if I don't, oh well. I'm not hanging around much longer." Up and down Lewis, sellers wave their wares.

While the scalperâ€™s sales are slow and deals are good right now, professional ticket sellers say that will change by the end of the week. Andrew Hentrich: "We are working with a tour operator that has extra tickets left over and we're just out here selling and buying a few in between also." They're professionals from Norman, setting up shop at 51st and Lewis, and admits tickets are face value - or less. "It's early in the week, I guess we just have to wait and see how it goes. It'll pick up momentum though." Momentum fueled by a Tiger Woods. That is whom everyone wants to see. And the actual tournament is underway is when scalpers expect sales to soar.