Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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.

15 comments:

CG said...

hello, just read this post, wanted to say hi, I'm looking to join the GCAT this coming year, the San Diego Tour. Anyways, how's the golf game coming along?

I'm always looking to meet new people as I expand my golf horizon and try to get better. I'll probably be following your blog now, especially since I was thinking of doing something similar once I start. If you ever want to talk or reply, my email is christopher.s.go gmail.com

Well take care and good luck with your golf game!

Golf Ball Collector said...

dont be so hard on yourself i wish i could be nearly as good

Time-4-Golf said...

Hi PPGN

it is really interesting to witness your obsession with Golf.

Do you ever plan on playing the Euro courses?

Inspirational

Allen Richards said...

Hi, I've never seen like you obsessed with this game. May be its not the obsession but the dedication towards this game.

By the way, have you ever tried Taylor made drivers? I think you should try them. It will enhance your performance for sure.

Gunnar said...

Thank you for the interesting information.

Anonymous said...

you were burned big time having to play from the whites!
i guess the lesson learned is to carry a cell phone and call in when in doubt. that guy who misled you should be penalized big time

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John Tank said...

Very inspirational, yet I concur with the others. Don't be too hard on any failures.
John Tank
Ogio Stand Bag

Andrea said...

Time-4-Golf thanks for reading my blog. Hopefully one day I will make it over to Europe to play some golf. I know they have some beautiful courses over there.

Andrea said...

Music creator software thanks for the comment. I had the TaylorMade r7 superquad which was great. But, I went to a Titalist VIP event at the Golfsmith and I was averaging 250 yards on the simulator. Couldn't pass that up. :)

Andrea said...

Hi Everyone, thanks for your comments. I guess I am so hard on myself, because that is the only way I will become the best I can be. No one else expects me to be good except myself. :)

Amusitronix.com said...

Great Blog! Dont beat yourself up though!

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