Q School is in the Books!

If I said it once, I’ll say it again. Everything happens for a reason. My destiny is already set and it’s something that I have to accept. God’s plan for me is bigger than I even know and I need to realize that I’m not in the driver’s seat. Knowing and understanding that will allow me to have a good night’s sleep tonight. The past week and a half was a tough one but one that I would do all over again if I ever get the chance. Some say that Q School is grueling and intense, which it is, but I took a different outlook on it. I knew that if I enjoyed myself, I would play my best golf. Well, I was wrong…I didn’t play my best golf but at least I can look back on the week and say I learned a lot, made some friends, made some memories, and bettered myself as a golfer.

It was a unique week to say the least. I played four practice rounds and the tournament started on Wednesday. I started off with a 75-75, and was extremely frustrated with not selecting the correct clubs coming into the greens and then not being able to get up and down once I missed a green. I loved the way I hit my driver this past week. I don’t think I’ve ever hit that club as consistently as I have which is exciting. Being in the fairway makes things much easier, who would’ve known? The third round was Friday and we played the first 6 holes in dry conditions but things got wet quickly. Once we reached the 9th green, I hit my 20 foot putt then heard the sirens sound. We had to mark our balls and go in immediately because lightning was everywhere. We were all scattered throughout the clubhouse and waited and waited and waited until the rules officials decided that an ark was needed if we were going to keep playing. My posse went to see Brothers and rested up for a Saturday of 27 holes.

We woke up Saturday morning and received an email that we wouldn’t tee off until 1pm. Just an hour after that I received another email saying that we wouldn’t be playing at all Saturday. So we were able to watch Florida get their butts kicked and play many games of Two Bounce. I’m officially back in basketball shooting shape. It’s been a while but I can seriously say I want to try out for Sherri Coale’s team. I know she’s only down to 9 girls since Whitney Hand tore her ACL so I think I can come in and make a huge impact. I’ve been playing the wrong sport for so many years. Ask my caddy for the week how he liked my shooting. Not only was he my “b*tch” on the course but he rebounded very well for me as well. Hahahaha!! Just kidding! Chad and I talk a lot of crap to each other and that was one thing I mentioned to him while we were playing basketball. I sure hope he doesn’t think I’m a diva out there on the course. I had a lot of fun with him on the bag. We told my playing partners all sorts of things, made up stories of how we knew each other. People thought we were related but we both laughed out loud and for a long time at the thought of that. I call him dad now that he’s soooo old (35). I’ve known Chad since I was 9 years old so for me to be able to experience this week with him on the bag was memorable and a lot of fun. I was so comfortable out there and I could trust him. I gave him many heart attacks in the 4 rounds I played.

So I bet all of ya’ll are wondering how and when I finished my 3rd and 4th rounds. Well, we woke up bright and early this morning and I began my day tapping in for par on my 9th hole of my third round. I went on to bogey and birdie two to shoot -1 for the round and move up 30 spots. I was a happy girl and had a half hour break before we moved to the other course and played our 4th round. I was in good spirits and ready to make a lot of birdies. Little did I know that I would not make a single birdie for the entire fourth round. I had plenty of opportunities, hit great shots, hit 12 greens but shot an awful 79 to finish 3 shots off the cut. Looking back I would have done many things differently but thankfully it wasn’t bone head mistakes that I will lose sleep over. I know that I have enough talent to make it on tour. I have the right mindset to make it out there…I can control my emotions with the best of them. My nerves were in check all week and never played a factor in any shot during the tournament so I can be proud of that. I know success is a process and can’t happen overnight so when/if I do make it on Tour, I will appreciate it and know how hard it is to make it. I’m still motivated and still have the passion to give it my all to fulfill a dream.

Since I’m an awful person and didn’t make the putts, I screwed up my parents and Chad royally by having them switch our flight from tomorrow to Tuesday to go back home. …I thought I would be playing tomorrow so my mom changed the flights yesterday and now we are stuck in Florida until Tuesday. I guess things could be worse, we could be bored in cold weather in Oklahoma so I think we will see The Blind Side, possibly some putt putt, and definitely one last night on the basketball court. We’ve made some enemies at the pool by Chad’s air balls over the fence, bless his heart.

My thanks to everyone who kept up with me this week, who prayed for me and gave me encouragement. I cannot tell you all how much that means to me. I’m not done yet, I will keep chasing after the dream.

As Happy Gilmore would say, “Only 364 more days till next years hockey tryouts. I gotta toughen up.”

Round One in the Books

#18 on LPGA Int'l Legends Course

Michaela and I on Daytona Beach

Chad and I in front of the sports medicine trailer

Welp, it's official. Round one of the LPGA Final Stage Q School is in the books. I've been here since Friday and played 4 practice rounds with my friend Michaela Cavener. The tournament is being played on two different courses so we had to use that many days to chart out the holes. I'll be honest, I have a horrible memory and sometimes won't remember certain holes until I walk up on the tee box. I guess that's a good thing, I won't be fearful of any shots while I'm back at my hotel thinking about golf....not to say I'm ever fearful. I have Chad Lamb, a past Greens CC assistant pro and now the head pro of Rose Creek in Edmond, caddying for me this week. I've known him for over 12 years now and we have played countless rounds together. He knows my game and in the 18 holes we had today, he learned even more. My advantage over others is distance but sometimes I don't trust it and will take more club to account for miss hits. Well, I guess I need to realize I'm a pro now and really don't have huge miss hits anymore. I'm going to do a better job tomorrow with it, that's for sure! We had a blast out there today even though I threw away shots here and there. Random thought but for those who play golf, do ya'll ever get songs in your head while you're out playing? I sure do. Today's songs were "Empire State of Mind" and "Run This Town" by Jay Z and I hate to admit it but "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. I'll be sure and change up the songs tomorrow. I've got tendinitis in both ankles but they are going to hold up for me this week. Ice ice and more ice. I am so excited because our hotel has a lit basketball court so we were able to play "2 bounce" tonight. It's a Mike Dye original, one of my favorite basketball games...one that won't kill my body. We let my dad feel good about himself and win 4 of the 5 games but we will definitely have a rematch tomorrow night. I tee off early in the morning so I'm going to get in bed. I have good feelings about tomorrows round and am keeping my head held high even though todays round wasn't what I wanted. It's all a learning experience, I'm giving it my all, but know that the goal is to get better each and everyday. Thanks for everyone's support. I couldn't do it without you guys!

What I'm Reading: "I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell" ...I don't recommend this book but if you want a raunchy, raunchy read, this is it.
What I'm Listening To: "Play On" Carrie Underwood