Tournament 1 in the books...

Well, I completed my first tournament on Saturday at Olde Stonewall in Mercer, PA. A really great course - lots of elevation changes, and some water here and there, both in the form of both rivers and lakes. My score was OK, but above where a 16 handicapper should be. I finished 3rd in my flight, and left a few shots on the course.

The course conditions were good considering the amount of rain that we have had this spring. I was presently surprised by the fact that the range was open, and able to be in use. I did that, and putted for about 20 minutes on the practice green, then headed for the first tee with no sign of the other 2 parts of my threesome for the day.

The fact that I did not see or hear of them until the first tee should have given me a bit of foreshadowing toward the scope of how my day was going to proceed. My two playing partners did not help my game, and I did my best to ignore them, and do my best and concentrate on having a great time at a nice course. I intend to discuss them (and other pet peeves) in a later post, but lets just say they were not conducive to having the best time possible on the course.

Speaking of the course, I did have 4 birdie putts (none converted), but did have 2 nice long putts over 10 feet that went in. Unfortunately, I also had 2 four putts (OUCH - I hate to even 3 putt), so I was not happy about that. Our tour director did mention to us on the first tee that the staff double cut and double rolled the greens, and they were running about 11-12. Thanks for that. My 2 four putts were on the front, and were a direct result of me being frustrated and not taking my time. I got it together on the back and only had one 3 putt on the back.

Overall, not too bad, although I have noticed I have to slow down now getting through the ball, or it goes left. My P90X workouts have made me stronger, so now I have to slow down. I went to the range Tuesday night, and fixed some things there - most notably the swing thought of keeping the back of my left hand through the target through impact. I also did a lot of putting.

This Saturday - Tournament #2 at Sawmill Creek. Looking to get a lower score, and strike the ball better given the amount of rain in the area. Let me know if you have any questions!

The Exploits of Kevin Na...Ouch

At this point, I am sure you have heard of it - Kevin Na takes a 16 at the PGA Tour event in Texas. I am not going to say that I enjoyed it, but all of us have been there. I have the video from the PGA Tour, and it is like watching a car accident. I am glad he was able to move on, but it shows how this game can humble even the greats. Enjoy...I think....I can definitely empathize with him!

The Golf Channel Amateur Tour...

I belong to the Golf Channel Amateur Tour. This is my 5th year on the tour, and love each and every event. There are a few stipulations to join. First, there is a yearly $199 entry fee (lowers to $179 in subsequent years)...This fee gives a neat players pack, where you get a shirt, hat ball markers, balls, rule book, and other things to help you succeed on tour. There is then a fee for each course you play. This covers trophies and prizes. Skins are extra, and are usually $20.

Once your are signed up, you are placed in your local tour. In the Cleveland tour, you can play as many or as few events as you want. Some of us even play events on other tours around the country, as you are eligible for them all. I play a few on the Pittsburgh tour on some of the courses I enjoy. Some people who travel play on different tours all over the country.

As you compete, you earn points (an Golf Galaxy gift cards) based on how many people are in your flight. All points go back to your home tour which is scored in a FedEx-style point system. I won my flight in 2007 and 2009, and lost by 5 points in 2008, so it can get competitive. There are majors around the country that you can go to for more points. All of the courses tend to be upper end daily fee courses, with an occasional private course thrown in occasionally. An idea of courses we will play in 2011 include StoneWater, Little Mountain, Boulder Creek, Sawmill Creek, Blue Heron, and Avalon Lakes.

It's real tournament golf - no mulligans, no gimmes, stroke and distance apply when you hit a ball OB, as well as announcing a provisional. It really focuses both your mind and your game when you know you have to count every shot. USGA rules apply, and there are officials to assist you if need be. There are 6 flights, and you must have a current handicap to compete.

One the best parts of the tour is the camaraderie. Because of the lack of sandbagging due to the strict adherence of handicaps, the flights are very competitive, and you tend to play with the same people over the course of the summer. I have met great friends over the years that I look forward to seeing every summer. It is a lot of fun. If you have any questions, let me know! I'd love to tell you about it!

By the way, I'll be playing in a Pittsburgh event this Saturday - at Olde Stonewall - A GREAT course designed by the same people that designed Little Mountain. I hope it is not too wet! Got a new Nike rainsuit for my birthday, so that shouldn't be a problem!

Single Digits...

That is my ultimate goal...to be a single digit handicapper (even a 9). I do a lot of reading on the various subjects of golf, and the main point said by all professionals about amateurs is that they do not practice enough on their short game. It has been estimated that at least 60 percent of your game comes from 100 yards and in. My goal this year is to lower my scores by improving on my short game. I spent about 45 minutes on chipping, and finding the most consistent of my 4 wedges (P, 52, 56, and 60). I really got dialed in with my new PING G15 pitching wedge. I was fairly consistent, and that's what I was looking for. I feel that if I could shave off 1-2 strokes per round in the beginning with my improved chipping, that would be a good start. I've always been a fairly good putter, even as a lag putter, so I'm not too worried about that.

I have a tournament coming up next weekend, so we will see how it goes. I plan to do better there than I did last year! I'd love to even win! We will see! Let me know if you have comments or questions!

Masters Recap...

Well, its over....Charl Schwatzel won the Masters in a whirlwind of activity. This might have been the best one that I have seen in a long time. I think that there were 7 different people who were in the lead beginning with Rory McElroy...

Speaking of Rory, how about that tee shot on 10 between the cabins? That was a crazy shot - something most amateurs have done at one point. It was both interesting and sad to watch him unravel down the stretch. At least he has many, many good years left in him. I felt the same as I did watching Greg Norman collapse to Sir Nick Faldo. I do feel that he will learn from this, and move on...

Adam Scott looked good with his long belly putter - it definitely is helping his game. I expect to hear more from him this year.

AND.....I was able to get 18 in before the Masters....I'll talk about that later in the week. I have a tournament coming up on the 23rd!

Share your thoughts and questions with me....

Masters Par 3 Contest

I watched over an hour of the Par 3 contest today on ESPN. I especially liked the feature group, the "Big 3" of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. I watched the interesting dynamics between the three giants of golf. On the telecast, Andy North noted that even though this was "just for fun", all three desperately wanted to beat the other. I could tell, as on 2, Arnold hit a bed tee shot - Jack gave him a hard time (which happens on virtually any course in America), and Arnold did not look happy. I just thought it was a glimpse into the interactions between them. Before my father passed away, he told me about Nicklaus and Palmer in the 60's and 70's and their heated rivalries. I thought about that as well as I watched them. As always, I thought Gary Player exuded class and dignity.

Another interesting side note - you always see a son/daughter/spouse/parent hit a putt or two in this competition. What I did not know was that as soon as that happens, your score becomes invalid as far as winning the Par 3 competition. That makes sense logically, as someone else hit a shot of yours. Then, I started to wonder....of the leaders (Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Peter Uihlein (A)) - they DIDN'T let a son/daughter/spouse/parent hit a putt...Did they not have family or friends for a caddie? Did they really want to win the Par 3 contest? I should point out that the winner of the par 3 contest has NEVER won the Masters...I would definitely have a friend or family member hit a putt for me if I could somehow make it to the Par 3 tournament....just a thought...

The Masters begins tomorrow....I think Phil has a great chance to win, but I would like to see Ian Poulter. I like his style, ease with social media and opinions, and his game. He's a favorite of mine.

Let me know what you think....I'll be checking it out on Thursday!

Masters Week

Masters Week is one of my favorite times of the year. In past years I have coupled it with a trip to Las Vegas (for spring break), but I won't make it this year. I especially liked watching the Par 3 competition from the 19th hole at the Wynn Golf Club, that costs $500 a round (which I cannot afford). I do like to soak up the ambiance there, as it was ranked one of the top 10 19th holes by Golf Digest.

On to the Masters. It definitely is on my bucket list to get there one day. I have heard that it is beautiful, but much more hilly than TV makes it appear. I would like to see the azaleas, Rae's Creek, and the Eisenhower tree in person. I would like to munch on a pimento and cheese sandwich, even though I may not like it. I would also like to spend some money in the merchandise tent. I have "tried" to get the News-Herald to get me credentials - hey, I could write from there - but I was quickly informed that those are hard to get (just like the real tickets. I thought I would ask, the worst they could say was no - and they did)!      :)

Phil Mickelson seems to be the odds-on favorite at 7-1. Tiger is at 11-1. Phil and Tiger both have games that set up nicely for Augusta, but I'm not sold on Tiger, and the fact that he is still a work in progress. I enjoy the fact that the golf course seems to humble people, and that some people move to the forefront that had been in the shadows previously (see Larry Mize, Zack Johnson, and Trevor Immelman). I think Phil is benefiting from good karma over the Tiger Woods fiasco. While Tiger was having his infidelity problems, Phil was persevering and playing for his mother and wife, who were both fighting cancer. I think him being a good father and husband had something to do with his triumph last year, and he seems to have it moving in the right direction after last weeks win in Houston at the Shell Open.

I encourage any questions or comments you have about the Masters. I bet you know where I will be and what HD channel I will have on during Sunday afternoon around 4PM...

Round 1 of the year...

Today I was able to get out for the first time this year. I was a little hesitant, as it was cold, but I was looking forward to seeing where I was at with my game. I arrived at Painesville Country Club to play (the back 9 was closed).I drove the first tee shot a bit left, just missing the fairway. On #2, I hit my approach to 3 feet. On #4, almost holed out a seventy-five yard chip for a birdie. I got a par on #7.

Overall, I thought it was a great first day of the season. My score was higher than it usually is, and I mis-hit 3 shots, but overall, I was happy to be outdoors playing the game that I love. Additionally, I putted very well. I have a tournament coming up on April 23rd, so I need to get it together before then...

I also got the Tiger Woods 2012 for my XBOX. I'll review it next week. I hope all of your get out on the links next week. Let me know if you have questions....