Cristie Kerr teams up with Kwiat

KWIAT AND TOP WOMEN’S GOLFER CRISTIE KERR ANNOUNCE
YEAR-LONG PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Kwiat and Kerr design limited-edition collection to benefit “Birdies for Breast Cancer”


NEW YORK, NY (December 19, 2009)— New York-based diamond brand Kwiat has
partnered with renowned women’s golfer, Cristie Kerr, to design an exclusive collection to benefit “Birdies for Breast Cancer,” Kerr’s foundation committed to increasing breast cancer awareness. The partnership officially launches with the start of the Wendy’s Challenge at the Rio Secco Golf Club in Las Vegas on December 19, 2009, and will continue through 2010.

“Kerr is an extraordinary example of someone unwavering in her commitment to excellence, not only professionally but personally,” said Greg Kwiat,Chief Financial
Officer. “Like Kerr, personal passions inform professional aspirations at Kwiat. As a century-old, family-owned business, Kwiat’s industry growth has always mirrored the personal ambitions of each new generation—it’s been an organic partnership from the
start.”

The Birdies for Breast Cancer Collection is inspired by Kwiat’s Signature Platinum Star Collection, and includes a pair of delicate, diamond-drop earrings as well as a pendant of the same design. Invoking the charitable connection, both pieces are set in 18-carat pink gold and accented with a pink sapphire. Kerr will wear both pieces on tour throughout 2010. “I am delighted to have Kwiat join us in our mission to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer,” said Cristie Kerr. “The earrings and the pendant they created are truly stunning. Our hope is that these subtle pieces will serve as a reminder of those we have lost to the disease, and represent our hope for the future.”




Following Wendy’s Challenge, the collection will debut to the public in January 2010
with a launch event at Kwiat’s Madison Avenue flagship boutique, supported by a robust online campaign on both Kwiat.com and Kerr’s personal Web site. From there it will be made available at Kwiat Las Vegas, as well as all other Kwiat retailers nationwide. 10% of all proceeds will go directly to benefit Birdies for Breast Cancer.

About Kwiat
Founded in 1907, Kwiat, the New York based diamond jewelry company has a century of experience in the diamond industry and a reputation as one of the world’s leading
diamond and diamond jewelry companies. Kwiat is dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and sets the standard for brilliance. Kwiat. Simply Brilliant.

About Birdies for Breast Cancer
Founded in 2003, Birdies for Breast Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that
focuses its efforts on breast health awareness and raising money for breast cancer research. Cristie Kerr founded the organization after her mother, Linda Kerr, was
diagnosed with the disease. Cristie donates $50 for every birdie and $100 for every
eagle she makes on tour. Individuals can make direct donations by visiting
cristiekerrgolf.com

Golf Channel Amateur Tour National Championship - Round 2

I started my round at 7:18 am at SilverRock Resort on hole 10. Had a good short warm up, but felt good enough about my game and round from yesterday that I felt I could still post a good enough score to make the cut. I played a practice round at SilverRock on Sunday and played well on the front but had bad memories on the back, but I was determined to not let that round get in my head and just focus on what I had to do. I got to the tee box, greeted my playing partners, and we were ready to go. All marshalls for the Golf Channel National Championship are tour directors from across the country who come and officiate the tournament. For each group they tell which tees will be played during the round as well as the local rules and how to abide by them. This morning the marshall told our group that we would be playing from the white tees. I looked at him and ask if I was also playing from the white tees. He looked at me and said, “Yes. The women in the Hogan flight play from the whites.” I proceeded to tell him that I was not playing in the Hogan flight and that I was in Jones. He said, “You are still playing from the white.” I continued to questions him and he continued to assure me that I was playing from the white tees. I took my score card wished my playing partners good luck and off we went. I hit my first tee shot of the day in the water on the right and ended up with a six on the first hole. I calmed myself and brushed it off. It felt like the entire day was full of ups and downs. Bad swings would sneak in and out of my round as well as the good and bad scores. I reached the turn and told myself that I could turn my game around and still have a decent score. A marshall was at hole #1 (my #10) and as I prepared to hit my shot the marshall told me that I was playing from the wrong tee box. I let my playing partners play first while I spoke with the marshall. He radioed in asking if the women were playing from the whites and he told me that the Marshall from that morning had a “Senior Moment” and he made a mistake. He continued to tell me that I had to continue my round playing the whites or else I would be disqualified. At that point because I was already mentally exhausted it took all I had to not break down and cry. I took a deep breath, stepped up to the tee box and bombed one down the fairway. I tried to stay patient and focus on the rest of my round. I only had two pars and two boggies the entire day. That partnered with a 7,8,9 and an 11 left me with a 57 on the front (starting on hole 10) and a 53 on the back.


Looking back on my scores for the past few days in relation to the rest of the field I am devastated. I haven’t shot scores like that in a long time and I know that I and my swing are better than what I have been showing. But, at the same time the scores that are in the lead are in the low 80’s. I have only broken 90 once and have come close a few times in the past few months. The Jones bracket is for handicaps between 16 - 19. Technically our scores should be in the high 80’s if it goes according to our handicap. I don’t think we are flighted fairly and the Golf Channel needs to do a better job at watching the handicaps and making it fair.

One thing I can take away from today is how well I handled my emotions through such a crazy round. A cut is made after three rounds and my game plan for tomorrow is to shoot at every flag, be aggressive on every hole, and continue to play fearless golf. I have nothing to loose tomorrow and everything to gain. Time for a good nights rest.

Golf Channel National Championship Day 1

I had a late tee time this morning which was on one hand great because I got to sleep in. On the other hand it meant that I would have to play in the brunt of the heat, which was 105 degrees today. After a good warm up I made my way to the tee box, met my playing partners (they were both men) and we were off. I started off really well with two pars, a double, two bogies, birdie, and then I had a quad on a par 4. I got a lucky bounce into the fairway on my tee shot but hit my second shot into the water, dropped, hit my third shot way left of the green, had a blind flop shot onto the green and two putted for an 8. I happily rebounded from that with a par on the next but doubled the 9th. As we walked off the 9th green we received a pace of play warning. The entire front nine we were waiting for the group in front of us and all of a sudden we got to the 9th tee box and the group in front of us was gone. We got to 10 and they were gone. It wasn’t until we got to the 11th tee box that we caught a glimpse of them reaching the green. After the warning I had a 9 on hole 10 (par 4), 7 on hole 11 (par 5) and I recovered with two bogies, a par, a bogie, and 9 on a par 4. I got stuck in this unbelievable green side bunker. I couldn’t see the flag and it looked like the big red wall on the big break. I attempted that flop shot and it didn’t work so well. I finished the round with two bogies and shot a 99. I kept my spirits up during the round and didn’t let the big numbers get me down. Overall I was really happy with how I was striking the ball and with my putting. I didn’t have any three puts and it was great to know that no matter what I could make whatever putt I left myself. Overall I am really happy with the way I played. It was just a few bad bounces and mental demons that messed up my round. I am in the middle of the pack in my flight so I am really excited to play tomorrow and see what happens. I hope this post makes sense. I am tired, it is late (for me), and I am off to bed. 7am tee time tomorrow at SilverRock.


leaderboard

Road to Nationals

I am in my final week of preparation for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour National Championship. I learned a lot from last year and I know it will help me in my preparation for this year. This year Nationals takes place in La Quinta, CA and we will be playing PGA West-Stadium, PGA West-Nicklaus Tournament, PGA West-Norman, Golf Club at La Quinta, SilverRock Resort, La Quinta-Mountain, and Mountain View Country Club. My only experience playing in Southern California was a few years ago when my parents and I took a John Jacobs Golf School in Palm Dessert. It was in December, so the heat was never a factor, but I know the heat will be a factor next week. Around this time of year the temperature in La Quinta is above 100 degree everyday. Luckily I think I will have an upper hand considering the heat doesn’t affect me to much. As far as I know there is little to no humidity as well as no wind, so I just have to stay patient, drink a lot of water and just be prepared. I played a Golf Channel tournament up in Sacramento last year and it was 100 degrees or close to it. Every time I stepped out of the golf cart it felt like my skin was burning because it was so hot. Hopefully it won’t be like that in La Quinta, but I guess if I expect it then it won’t be such a shock when I get there.

My preparation for the tournament is quite simple I guess. I want to focus solely on my swing Saturday and Sunday, work on my short game on Monday, and play nine or 18 holes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Maybe hit the range on Friday just to keep my rythm going and my parents and I head down to La Quinta on Saturday, which will be my day off. Sunday I will play a practice round at Silver Rock resort and Monday I will play a practice round at PGA West Stadium course and the tournament starts on Tuesday. I know it sounds like a lot of golf, but I am a player who plays better the more I play. In the past when I have taken a few days off and gone back to the range I have “lost” my swing and I would have to build it back up. Thankfully I took three days off last week and went to the driving range last night and it went well. My swing felt good and I just have to keep that confidence with me through out the tournament. Confidence will be a big factor this year as it is with every tournament. I have to believe that I can do it and trust that I have worked hard and deserve to be there. One issue I had last year was that I focused too much on what the other players were doing which lead to a lack of confidence and my swing broke down which caused me to think about my swing instead of just trying to play. I know this year will be different and hopefully I will come home with a trophy. Which me luck!

Golf for a Cure Classic

For anyone who is in the Bethesda, MD area please check out and participate in this wonderful event dedicated to cancer research. Here is the press release for this event as well as a few pictures.

Golfers Band Together to Cure Cancer
National Foundation for Cancer Research holds annual golf charity tournament

The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) will hold its 6th Annual Golf for a Cure Classic on Monday, September 14th to support its many scientists across the country in their quest to find a cure for cancer. The fundraiser will be held at the Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda. Last year, the event brought over 100 people together, including politicians, scientists, sponsors, and donors from around the world.

Golf for a Cure has quickly become a popular event for the health charity, as it provides sponsors the ability to donate to a good cause and promote their businesses through cause marketing, a growing choice for self-promotion. Additionally, attendees can spend the day enjoying the sport and networking with other business leaders.


Proceeds from Golf for a Cure go towards supporting NFCR cancer researchers and scientists who receive funding for research efforts. The fundraiser also supports the dissemination of public education materials on the prevention and treatment of cancer. This year’s tournament will be sponsored by Calmark, Inc., with other significant sponsorships from Tech Catalyst and McCormick & Schmick’s. A full list of sponsors can be found at www.GolfforaCure.org.

In the Foundation’s 36 years, it has provided over $260 million in support of cancer prevention and treatment explorations. These discoveries better the lives and prognoses of cancer patients, and will continue to be pursued until there is a cure for all types of cancer.

About the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR)
Since its founding, the NFCR has spent more than $260 million funding cancer research and prevention education focused on understanding how and why cells become cancerous. NFCR is dedicated to funding scientists who are discovering cancer's molecular mysteries and translating these discoveries into therapies that hold the hope for curing cancer. For more information, visit http://www.NFCR.org, or call (800) 321-CURE (2873).

Cool iPhone App - TigerTrax

I love my iPhone and anything to make me love it even more is cool with me. The golf world has been getting more and more into new apps for smart phones which allows fans to keep up with their favorite players while they are out on the golf course. Well, that is usually where I am if I am not in front of my computer or TV. The TigerTrax app is AWESOME and allows fans to follow Tiger throughout all of his rounds and gives a break down of how he did hole by hole as well as how he did in each tournament.

Adding shot tracker would be a nice touch, but this app has everything you need to keep track of Tiger and his quest to break Jack’s record. Oh yeah...there is a page on the app for that too. You can download the app from the iTunes store and follow TigerTraxApp on Twitter

P.S.

Can someone make me a Paula Creamer app?! Pleaseeeeee! One for Rory McIlroy would be good too. ;)

Golf Channel Amateur Tour - Win #3

The past few tournaments that I have played in I have felt really good about my game, but this time the only thing I knew I could count on was my short game and my putting. The country club I practice at is going through a huge remodeling project and because of this the driving range is only open on the weekend. So I am only able to practice my putting during the week and only play when someone asks me to join them for a quick nine holes.

(For those of you who missed the story here is the short version. Our club like many clubs has a rule that once children of members turn 25 they are no longer allowed to be a member and must be accompanied at all times on the club grounds and must pay to play. I turned 25 back in March and after a few months past the club notified my parents of the rules and whenever I wanted to play I would have to pay the guest fee. Obviously my parents and I didn’t take this well especially the part where I had to be accompanied at all times at the club. So, thankfully the board approved that family members after the age of 25 can use the practice facilities as much as they want as long as they continue to take lessons.)

Since the driving range is closed during the week my full swing has suffered a great deal, which is really frustrating. When my parents were on vacation I heavily relied on a few people to play with during the week which allowed me to keep my swing fresh for my tournaments. My parents are now back from vacation, but my dad has a back problem so he can’t play as much and my mom hasn’t been feeling well so she doesn’t want to go out and play. I played two times leading up to the tournament and my swing just wasn’t clicking. My tendency is to sway my hips and get ahead of the ball which is what I am doing. Going into the tournament I knew that my swing wasn’t feeling great and I would just have to grind through the day and just do the best I could. I decided to stick with my 5 wood for the entire day because I knew that even if I had a bad swing it wouldn’t get me into too much trouble. I ended the day with 7 pars which was awesome, but I ended up with too many mistakes and finished my round with a 94. Considering I wasn’t comfortable with my swing and relied heavily on my short game and putter I am pretty happy with that score. I ended up winning so I guess I can’t complain too much.

Since this is my third win on tour I qualified for the National Championship which takes place in La Quinta, CA this year. I am really excited and I hope I get to play in team play championship as well.

The biggest thing that I can take away from this tournament is that because of all the practice I have been doing on my putting I felt very comfortable with it and even though the greens were slow I was able to make the adjustment and make a lot of putts and not get too frustrated mentally with my long game. I will have to find another way to practice leading up to the National Championship which takes place in September. I know I have plenty of time to get ready, but there is more than just my golf game that needs to get ready. Last year when I played in the National Championship it was my first multiple day tournament and mentally I put a lot of pressure on myself and my body was also very tired after the third day and I just couldn’t get anything going. Hopefully I can fix that problem this year and maybe bring home a trophy! That would be nice....

Tips from The Golf Channel Amateur Tour

Another great tip from The Golf Channel Amateur Tour. I totally agree with Sam and this is something I am personally working on. I hope this helps!!! (Photo courtesy of golfwrx.com)

Keeping your upper body behind the ball on your downswing is a must if your clubhead
is to reach maximum velocity through the impact area. If you let your shoulders slide toward the target, you destroy the centrifugal force that builds up this clubhead speed. Think of keeping your head behind your right hip until the clubhead is well past the ball. This will encourage the proper sliding-turning action of the knees and hips and will discourage you from trying to hit the ball with the arms only.

-Sam Bacon

Maintain the triangle for consistent chips

Another great chipping tip from the Golf Channel Amateur Tour! Enjoy! I totally agree with it. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images...couldn't resist putting a Rory McIlroy pic up. :) )

Maintain the triangle for consistent chips

Many chips are missed because a player tries to life the ball in the air by scooping with the right hand. The common result is to skull the ball across the green or to hit it fat. To end scooping, imagine that your arms and shoulders form a triangle, with the club an extension of your left arm. Maintain the triangle during the chip shot by using little or no wrist action. The clubhead's loft will propel the ball into the air and you will strike the ball crisply and more consistently.

The Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center

As we all know Cristie Kerr is an awesome golfer and competitor. Her passion for furthering Breast Cancer awareness has evolved into a partnership with LibertyHealth in creating The Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center. Thank you Cristie for your dedication to breast health and good luck for the rest of the season.
Full article can be found below.



TOP WOMEN’S GOLFER CRISTIE KERR AND LIBERTYHEALTH
UNVEIL PLANS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER AT JERSEY CITY MEDICAL CENTER

Serving the insured and uninsured, The Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center will be Hudson County’s first comprehensive breast health center

NEW YORK, NY (July 16, 2009) – Cristie Kerr, one of the world’s top women’s professional golfers, today joined LibertyHealth to announce the founding of The Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center on the Jersey City Medical Center campus. The center, to be housed in a five-story building presently under construction, will offer breast cancer screening programs including free mammograms and education to women with or without insurance.

To be equipped with both analog and digital mammography equipment, The Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center will mark the first full-service facility in the Hudson County area providing detection, healing, support, and recovery services. Cristie Kerr and LibertyHealth aim to have the center fully functioning and open to the community by February 1, 2010.

Cristie Kerr is a passionate breast cancer activist, having witnessed her mother, aunt and godmother battle the disease. In 2003, she founded the non-profit organization Birdies for Breast Cancer with a mission to raise funds and awareness. Cristie currently ranks #1 in Rolex Player of the Year points and #2 on the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s (LPGA) Money List, with nine top-10 finishes in 15 tournaments this year. On Friday, August 14, Cristie will host the fifth annual Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic in Jersey City at Liberty National where all proceeds will be dedicated to developing The Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center.

"We are pleased to have such an accomplished athlete and passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness come to Jersey City to lend her name and support this important new medical facility," said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy. "Education and early detection are key tools in fighting this disease and thanks to Ms. Kerr and LibertyHealth, even more Jersey City women will have these resources available to them."


“I am truly proud to be a part of something that so many women and their families will benefit from,” said Cristie Kerr. “I look forward to collaborating with LibertyHealth, which already plays such a crucial role to the Hudson County community, to accomplish our shared aspirations.”

According to Joseph F. Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer of LibertyHealth, “We are very excited about forming this partnership with Cristie Kerr in the development of what will become the area’s leading breast cancer facility. This center will further our mission of ‘enhancing life’ for those who live and work throughout Hudson County and northern New Jersey.”

Jersey City Medical Center provides nationally recognized care to the people of Hudson County and is the flagship hospital of LibertyHealth. The hospital serves as a regional referral, teaching hospital and provides the highest level of care for women, infants, trauma and cardiac patients. Jersey City Medical Center is located on a 15-acre campus overlooking the New York Harbor and Liberty State Park at Grand Street and Jersey Avenue.

About Birdies for Breast Cancer

Founded in 2003, Birdies for Breast Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that focuses its efforts on breast health awareness and raising money for breast cancer research. Cristie Kerr founded the organization after her mother, Linda Kerr, was diagnosed with the disease. Cristie donates $50 for every birdie and $100 for every eagle she makes on tour. Individuals can make direct donations by visiting cristiekerrgolf.com

The Rules of Golf

Here is another great tip I received from The Golf Channel Amateur Tour.---


Golf Channel Amateur Tour

There is nothing in the Rules of Golf that prevents a golfer from switching to a
different brand of golf ball (i.e., from a Titleist to a Bridgestone) on every hole
on the course - so long as the change is made between the play of holes.

However, there is something in the Rules of Golf that says a tournament committee
can impose such a rule.

It's called the "one ball condition" (in the rulebook, it's in Appendix 1, Part C),
more commonly known as the "one ball rule." As you probably know, all Tour events
are played under the "one ball rule." And any rules committee may adopt the "one
ball rule" for its competitions.

Women’s Golf Fashion

Hi everyone! I know I haven’t been talking too much about golf fashion lately, but here are two awesome Women’s Golf Apparel companies that were brought to my attention not long ago.


The First one is JAXON Golf. I met Dana Rodriguez at the PGA Show last year in Las Vegas and I really liked what she had. Her style is sporty and functional for on and off the golf course. She has a wide variety of styles, cuts, and colors to choose from. Check out Dana’s myspace page and Flickr gallery to see her entire collection.






The Second is a website called PinksandGreens.com, which is an online shop and community for women who love golf. The clothes featured on this site are picked out personally by Allison Dorst, the founder of Pinks and Greens, who was tired of searching every where for feminine golf clothes. The site features some great clothes from one of my favorite apparel companies called Lija. I don’t think many female golfers know of them, but they have some awesome clothes which are very comfortable. I personally have about 3 skirts, 2 tops, 1 sweater, and 2 pairs of pants from them and I love them. You can also find Pinks and Greens on Twitter!

Check out these two sites and help support Woman’s Golf Apparel Companies!

Don't forget to check out my Twitter feed!

GCAT Tournament #3

Sunday was my third tournament for the Golf Channel Tour. I was really excited about this tournament because it was at a golf course I had played a few times during college when I was on the woman’s golf team. Although, I never played well on that course in college because I had only been playing for two years, I was really happy with my game coming into the tournament and I was ready to go out and play some really good golf. I had a slow/very bad start but on the third hole I got things together and made par, and after that everything just clicked and I started getting into the right tempo and things began to fall into place. Granted I left some shots and putts out there, but overall I was happy with my round and felt like I showed everyone that I really can compete with the rest of them and they better watch out. I shot a 97, which isn’t my best score ever, but I will take it considering the past few tournaments I haven’t played well and I can finally say that my swing is coming around and I am really starting to feel confident when I play. This tournament really pumped me up for my next tournament which is in three weeks and has motivated me even more to make my swing better and be more confident around the greens. I really want to blow everyone out of the water on the next tournament and if not that one then the next. I really want to make it again to the National Championships which take place in SoCal this year, and I will work hard to do so. Wish me luck

PGA Tour Looking to Booze It Up

I was passed this article about the PGA Tour looking to add spirit drink to their tournaments. As much as I like beer especially when it is only $1.50 at The Masters tournament I sometimes want something cool and refreshing. I hope they end up doing it. Anyway, take a look at the article and let me know what you think! (Article and picture provided by put.com)

Annika Wines

Because we met Annika and her husband Mike at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Magazine event two weekends we were lucky to get an invitation to the inaugural release of Annika at Wente Vineyards.

Back in October of 2008 Annika partnered with family-owned Wente Vinyards to embark on a new chapter in her life and follow in Greg Normans footsteps. This evening 2006 Annika Syrah will be released at her event in Livermore, CA. My family and I are lucky enough to attend a blending event tonight with dinner along with a golf clinic taught by Annika with a Tournament hosted by Annika to follow on Saturday. I am very excited for the event and as you know I will be twittering the entire time and taking as many pictures as possible. Hopefully the weather holds up. The predictions are rain Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Yuck!

Improve rhythm with a simple stroke

The Golf Channel Amateur Tour sends out weekly golf tips and I really liked this one and I don't think many people focus on the rhythm of their putting stroke so I thought I would share. I also just updated my site with pictures from my trip to The Masters.Enjoy!

Improve rhythm with a simple stroke

Timing and rhythm are important in all phases of one's golf game but especially in
putting, where rushing your stroke and thus pushing or pulling the ball off line is
just as costly as whiffing a tee shot. To retain good timing and rhythm on your
putts, avoid concentrating on the mechanics of the stroke during the actual play.
Such thoughts as taking it back with your right hand, or keeping the blade on line,
complicated your stroke and destroy timing and rhythm. Instead merely swing the
putter back and forward smoothly, rhythmically - and simply.

Sunday at The Masters

The day started off well. The running of the bulls to get good seats on the 18th green wasn’t too bad and in the end we ended up with great seats 4 or 5 rows from the green. We had about two hours to kill once we put our chairs down, so we walked around and my parents decided to go and sit at hole 4 while I decided to go to the driving range so I could watch a few players including Rory warm up. But, when I got there it was completely packed with people so I decided to go to the short game practice area and watch there and I was blown away at the shots everyone was hitting. They are so accurate on every shot from the bunker and around the greens. I was the most impressed with the fact that most players would choose one wedge and use it on every shot from the bunker to chip and pitch shots around the greens. The trajectories varied on each shot which was the most amazing. They rarely missed shots far from the hole. Rory had an awesome short game practice and it really came in handy during his round.

I spent the day following Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald and once they came in I sat in my chair on the 18th green and watched the rest of the action. When the rest of the groups were on the back nine all you could here where roars every few minutes. Everyone would look to the big leader board and wait in anticipation for who made birdies. It was so exciting when Tiger and Phil were both making a run at the lead with birdies. There was a point when Tiger made it to 10 under that I thought he would birdie the last three holes to be at 13 under, which is where Perry was. The whole tournament was sooooo amazing. As much as last year was mesmerizing this year was so much more exciting just because there were about a handful of players in contention and you really didn’t know up until the end who would win. When it was all over it felt like a big dream and I didn’t want it to end. The trophy presentation with the sunset in the background was icing on the cake. It was such a surreal moment that I can’t wait/hope to experience next year.

Par 3 - Challenge

Wednesday was the Par 3 Challenge, which is always really fun to watch. We got to the course early and stood for two hours just so we could get really good seats on the 9th green. After we put our chairs down we walked around the course and I took close to 1,000 pictures for the entire day. I love taking pictures and at Augusta National it isn’t hard to go crazy taking pictures. At around 1:30 p.m. we headed to the Par 3 course and stayed until the second to last group came through. As we headed up Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood were teeing off on hole 8. Rory was signing autographs, so I decided to stick my hat out and he happily signed it for me. As he moved along I saw him take a picture with a kid and I called him back to take a picture with me. He was nice enough to come all the way back to where I was and take a picture with me and he actually smiled in the picture! He wasn’t ticked that I called him back for the picture which has made me a Rory fan for life! Maybe I will follow him tomorrow. Hmmm...

You can follow me more closely on twitter!

The Masters - Tuesday Practice Round

I don't get internet at the house I am staying at so my messages will be brief. Today was our first Practice round day and the weather was pretty bad. The wind was blowing very hard and it almost made the day miserable, but I saw a bunch of players today and I was so happy to be able to take pictures of them. I will upload the pictures as soon as I can. Tomorrow is the par-3 challenge, so hopefully we will get to the course early enough to be able to get some great seats. So far, the weather is the only thing that is putting a damper on this trip, but tomorrow is suppose to be beautiful so we will see what happens.

I can also be followed on Twitter!

Tournament #1

The first Golf Channel Tour tournament of the season did not go as planned. My bad golf game decided to show up that day, and all I could do was just deal with it and enjoy the group I was playing with. Even though the day was a bust I met some really nice/cool people and I can’t wait to play again and redeem myself to my flight.

Golf Channel Amateur Tour

I am very happy to say that my season on the Golf Channel Amateur Tour begins next weekend. I have said many times that I love playing on the GCAT and I pretty much practice as hard as I do just to see the look on men’s faces when I beat them. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does it feels awesome. This year the Golf Channel decided to open up a tour in San Jose, which I am really excited about because it means I don’t have to drive over two hours to play in Sacramento. But, at the same time I will miss the friends I have made in Sacramento, so I have decided to play in a few tournament up there just so I can still play and talk with the friends I have made. I have a few goals for the tour this year and I really think I can achieve them and I will have a lot of fun trying to do so.

My first goal of course is to get my first win of the season. I would love that first win to come at season opener, but it is easier said than done. My second goal is to win three times during the season. I will be bouncing between the Sacramento Tour and the tour in San Jose, so I have more chances to get those three wins, but I would prefer to get all three wins on one tour since that would automatically qualify me for the National Championship, which will be in Southern California in La Quinta this year. I will keep my fingers crossed for the three wins, but I won two times last year, and I have already seen a huge improvement in my game since the National Championship which was in October. I can’t wait to see what happens. My third and final goal is to meet and make as many friends as I can on the San Jose Tour. I am hoping to improve my networking skills and use the tour as a great opportunity to do so. It will be interesting to see what type of people I get to meet.

This weekend will be pretty much free of rain, so I am going to take every opportunity I can to practice as much as possible in order to sharpen my game for the tournament next weekend. Wish me luck!

LPGA Season Opener

Wow that was such and awesome tournament last week. Even though Paula didn’t play that well it was an awesome tournament and I think it was a great look into the future of the LPGA and this season. Michelle Wie had an awesome tournament and I think her lack of experience showed, when she didn’t win. And, in a way I didn’t really want her to win this first tournament of the season. I wanted her to have an awesome showing, but I think her winning the first tournament of the year would have hindered and in a way dented the rest of her season. It isn’t easy to win on tour and I didn’t want her think that since she now has her tour card that she was in a way entitled to have a win so early on in the season. I know she is capable of being a multiple winner out on tour, but I know how hard she has worked and I know how hard the rest of the ladies work, and I didn’t want Michelle to think that all of a sudden it would become easy, because it won’t. It will just get harder and harder, because Lorena will be back better than last year and everyone else will start to get into the swing of the season and start playing better. Because of this loss I think Michelle will improve and really really show everyone how good she really can be. Angela played an awesome round of golf the way a veteran of the game should. Angela saw an opening when Michelle made a mistake, and as a awesome golfer would do she capitalized on the mistake and she birdied three holes in a row and she won. Angela had an awesome tournament and I can’t wait to see more from her this season. I can’t wait to see what happens when Lorena makes her debut and a playoff happens between Paula, Lorena, and Michelle. Oooo that sounds awesome! Can’t wait for that!

LPGA Season Begins!!!

I have been waiting for the start of the 2009 LPGA season since the ADT championship last November. As many of you know I eat, sleep, and breath golf and I can’t wait to watch my favorite ladies on TV again. It’s not just the outfits that drive me to watch them, but how amazing they are. I love to see how players have changed in the off season. Last year we saw a new Morgan Pressel who was more fit and looked like she lost about 10 lbs. and all of her hard work in the gym paid off because she won the Kapalua LPGA Classic back in October. The off season is the only time that players can fully focus on their fitness and work on their weaknesses, which they barely have, to come out and show the rest of the world that they are a force to be reckoned with.

The start of the season is also exciting because we get to see new players. This year the 2009 rookies class has quite a few familiar faces.



Stacy Lewis, who won q-school in 2008 and appeared in a few events last year, is fully exempt and we will be seeing a lot of her this 2009 season. I hope she has a bunch of top ten finishes this year and she may even come close to winning one.







Jiyai Shin became the first non-LPGA member to win three events in one season. She won the RICOH Women’s British Open, Mizuno Classic, and the ADT Championship. She is already a well decorated player from South Korea and I know we will be seeing a lot more from her this year.





Kim Welch is also a rookie this year. She is most know for winning Big Break Ka’annapali. She played in The Longs Drugs Challenge last year, but she did not make the cut. She is a long hitter, and I think the off season since The Longs Drugs Challenge will have made a huge difference in her game, and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table on Thursday.



Last but not least...Michelle Wie. Michelle has a big task ahead of her this coming week in Hawaii. It is one of the three home tournaments for Michelle, and even though she has played in over 20 professional golf tournaments there is still some pressure on her to do well. She now has her tour card and now she has a chance to silence all of the haters out there. She must do well this season in order to silence others and there is no doubt in my mind that she will come out with both guns blazing. That is not to say that she won’t make mistakes and falter at times, but overall as a season I think this will really build her confidence and allow her to gain more experience for 2010. She might come close to winning a few, but we will be seeing her a lot in the top ten this year.

I can’t wait to see what happens thursday....

Golf Fitness - MyTPI.com

My swing coach Kris Derdenger just got certified as a TPI golf fitness instructor. So this past weekend she finally had some free time and we went over my swing, and then she measured the flexibility of my legs and hips. It turns out that I have average flexibility in both of my legs, but I am not using my hips enough in my full swing, which means that at impact my hips are almost closed and the hole you are suppose to see in between your legs at impact, is almost non existent. So she gave me a few exercises to help me rotate around my body and increase my hip speed with out loosing control. She also told me to check out myTPI.com to get more exercises which will target more than just my hips. I looked and it and it is an awesome site, which I hope all of you will take a look at. It has a bunch of exercises and stretches to help out any problem areas that you have. I have already seen a difference in my hip flexibility and I have only been doing it about a week. Enjoy!

Golf Channel Amateur Tour

Golf season is happily almost upon us, which means The Golf Channel Amateur Tour starts very soon. February to be exact. I have been playing a lot in the off season and feel my game is finally coming around, so I decided to start playing from the men’s tees. If your remember from my GCAT National Championship post I said that distance on the holes was one thing that I was not use to. The holes were so long in Florida and it was hard to get on the green for the par fives in regulation. This year I am not completely sure where I will be playing from because the Directors of the GCAT have canceled my Sacramento Tour or at least removed our tour director, which in my opinion is complete BS. Phillip was/is an awesome tour director who was/is very organized, brought in outside sponsorships, and there were at least 40-50 participants at each tournament. It was a great tour and the members have spoken out about it, so we will see what will happen. However, they opened a San Jose Tour, which is a lot close to my home which will be really nice. I have no idea who the tour director is and where I will be playing, let alone which tees I will be playing from. Nonetheless, I want to come out to the tour playing some really good golf and I want to show the new members that woman can play golf. Some men forget that, which really bothers me. The saying that women are slower than men is over. I have played behind many foursomes of men with my family and they take longer than we do! Anyway, I hope everyone is have a great off season and stay tuned for upcoming fashion for 2009!

Annika Gets Married

Yesterday hall of famer Annika Sorenstam got married to Mike McGee at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. Hurray!!! I am so happy for Annika, and I know she will continue to be a big part of the golf world and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

More info about the wedding

Wedding pictures