Sunday, September 26, 2010

Golf Channel Am Tour - National Championship Round 1

Wow what a tough first day. I had some great playing partners today, but for some reason I just couldn’t really get anything going. I played at St. Johns Golf and Country Club located between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, FL. The day started off with an early morning adventure and when I mean early I mean early. I got up at 4:00am to be ready and waiting for my friends by the car at 5:15am. We drove to the golf course and had a great breakfast and when 7am rolled around we made our way to the driving range and got ready for our round. Coming into nationals I wasn’t that confident with my driver and I worked with the new head pro at my club on keeping my lower body stable at impact and making sure I rotate my upper body through the shot. I only had a few hours to practice the drills he taught me, but it seemed like I wouldn’t have a problem once I got to Florida.

Today I had about 45 min to warm-up, so I mainly stayed on the range and worked on my swing. I didn’t know which game would show up today, so I didn’t expect much from my round, but I didn’t expect to shoot 102. I only hit 5 or 6 fairways, had 7 holes where I 3 putted, and some how I hit my 3 wood further than my driver. There was a point where all I could do was just laugh at my game. I made so many stupid mistakes today that it just became comical. After my round I had lunch with a group of friends and then hit the range for an hour and worked on my putting for about 30 min. I drove back to the hotel emotionally exhausted from the round, but thankfully hanging out with friends and one mojito later made it all go away.

Every night during nationals there is a player’s party where are the tour players meet up and you can view everyone’s scores and just moan and groan about your round. While I was there I overheard a few people talking about auditions for the next Golf Channel Am Tour commercial which made me really excited. Every time I watch those commercials I always get so angry because they never show women! There are a ton of women who play on the tour, granted not as many as men, but never the less we should be included in the tour’s advertising and marketing materials considering how fast women’s golf is growing. So, I walked over to the room where the auditions were being held and signed up! When they called my name I was really nervous, just because I had never really done anything like this before, and I wanted to be a good representative of the women on the tour. Once they started filming it all just happened so naturally. They just asked me to state my name, where I was from, my handicap, how long I had been on the tour, and a few other simple questions. It was a fun experience and hopefully I will make it on TV or in one of the promos for the website. I will keep you posted if I find out any more info.

Well, it is time for me to get things together for tomorrow. I tee of at 1:30 at the World Golf Village

The World Golf Hall of Fame is here so hopefully I will find some time to look around before or after my round. I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow. I think I just might leave my driver in my bag and tee off with my 3 wood. At least I will always be in the fairway. :) Ta ta for now!