Welp, most of you all know the good news but we finally did it! I qualified for the Final Stage of LPGA Q School! It was a great week of good, consistent golf. I haven’t been playing my best golf lately and a few months ago was contemplating not even trying to qualify but I had a some people who mean a great deal to me tell me that I should always give it a try. Thankfully, I took their advice and qualified out of the first sectional with 8 shots to spare before worrying about the cut line. I shot 73-69-71-72. When we reached the 72nd green, my caddy Paulie said “alright, you can ten putt this and still be okay.” He was kidding of course and I said “heck no let’s make it!” Paulie has been a huge asset to my golf game in the past few months. It was weird how we were matched up but I am so thankful that he has taken me on to work with. We have such a great time out there together and I feel like we compliment each other well. During my second round, I almost holed out for eagle. I couldn’t see the pin, only Paulie could. He didn’t make any kind of reaction and when I asked him where it went he said, “it lipped out, you have an inch putt now. Good shot.” Well geez Paulie thanks so much! Ha! He really cracks me up out on the golf course. The things we say to each other are thankfully not microphoned or else we’d be receiving huge fines or having reality television shows wanting us.
It’s such a huge relief that I don’t have to go to Venice, FL this coming weekend to try to qualify again for Final Stage so instead I’m switching my flight and going down to Miami, FL to see my best friend Caitlan and to get a little rest in. She lives on the beach and it seems like a really tough life down there so I need to go cheer her up. Ha! I will find some nice courses to go rate for Golf Digest and actually have a vacation.
I will be playing in the Arizona Womens Open in October and a Suncoast event in Florida leading up to the Final Stage of Q School but other than that, I will just be playing here and there and hopefully find some good competition along the way.
I really appreciate everyone’s support and I know that this is not an individual sport, especially at the professional level. There are so many crucial players in my life that affect my golf game in a positive way. Can’t do it without ya’ll!!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Q School
This will be a quick update because I am a tired, tired girl! This week has been a good one so far! I started off Tuesday on the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills in Palm Springs, CA for the LPGA Sectional Qualifier. It was a pretty solid day and finished at one over par. I didn’t shoot myself out of it on the first day, which was nice. I knew I had work to do in order to make the two-day cut.
Yesterday we switched courses and played on the Palmer Course. I got off to a nice start with a bunch of pars before I found my first few birdies. My ball striking was on and I had plenty of opportunities to make birdies. I finished the round at three under, two under for the two rounds. I sat in 11th place and made the cut with two more days guaranteed.
Today was the third round back on the Dinah Shore Course. I started off with a dumb bogey from 100 yards out. Not the way I wanted to start but thankfully stole a birdie back on the next hole with a long putt made. A gift! I haven’t been making a whole lot of long putts but it was nice to see one barely fall in. I found another bogey on the third but found back-to-back birdies on five and six. Made a dumb bogey on the par 3 eighth and another stupid one on the par 5 ninth from 75 yards out. I wasn't too extremely happy at the turn... I found a quick birdie on the tenth and thankfully calmed down my round with five straight pars. I had a few close calls at making them for birdie but I also had some great par putt saves. I put myself in jail on the fifteenth hole and took my medicine with a bogey but knew that I had three holes left and wanted to finish the day at even par at worst. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long and made a great birdie putt on sixteen. I had popped in a blue jolly rancher before I made that birdie on sixteen and told my caddy Paulie that it was for good luck. They’ve been giving us candy on the first tee every morning and I’m a sucker for candy. I can’t help myself. I’ve been taking handfuls and it’s kept me entertained throughout the round. Well, the blue jolly rancher worked for one birdie so on the next tee, I popped in another blue one and missed the green just by 2 feet. I told Paulie that I was due to make one from off the green. It went in for birdie! I told him it was the candy, not the caddy or player. I popped in one more blue jolly rancher for the eighteenth hole but tapped in for par for a one under round of 71.
I’m currently -3 for the three rounds, tied for 9th. I have to finish in the top 30 in order to qualify for the Final Stage of Q School in December. I believe I have 6 shots to spare tomorrow but that’s not my plan. I’m going to stick to my game plan and hopefully continue to find a lot of greens and try to make the birdies when they become available. The heat is strong here in the desert but I’ve had a really good week with my family being here. My aunt and uncle from San Diego came over a few nights ago so we’ve been at the pool every afternoon at our resort, relaxing and catching up. It’s kind of nice to just be at the course to warm up, play, and leave immediately. We were laughing today at how my preparation was so different this year than last. I was in NYC last week and didn’t touch my clubs for almost a week before heading over here for two days of practice. It seemed to work out all right so far. I’ve always been a big believer in quality over quantity. Get your crap done then get outta there. Ha!!! I really appreciate everyone’s encouraging words this week. I’ve been on my phone constantly but it’s because I love hearing from you guys! I couldn’t do it without a lot of people in my life. I’m blessed.
Yesterday we switched courses and played on the Palmer Course. I got off to a nice start with a bunch of pars before I found my first few birdies. My ball striking was on and I had plenty of opportunities to make birdies. I finished the round at three under, two under for the two rounds. I sat in 11th place and made the cut with two more days guaranteed.
Today was the third round back on the Dinah Shore Course. I started off with a dumb bogey from 100 yards out. Not the way I wanted to start but thankfully stole a birdie back on the next hole with a long putt made. A gift! I haven’t been making a whole lot of long putts but it was nice to see one barely fall in. I found another bogey on the third but found back-to-back birdies on five and six. Made a dumb bogey on the par 3 eighth and another stupid one on the par 5 ninth from 75 yards out. I wasn't too extremely happy at the turn... I found a quick birdie on the tenth and thankfully calmed down my round with five straight pars. I had a few close calls at making them for birdie but I also had some great par putt saves. I put myself in jail on the fifteenth hole and took my medicine with a bogey but knew that I had three holes left and wanted to finish the day at even par at worst. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long and made a great birdie putt on sixteen. I had popped in a blue jolly rancher before I made that birdie on sixteen and told my caddy Paulie that it was for good luck. They’ve been giving us candy on the first tee every morning and I’m a sucker for candy. I can’t help myself. I’ve been taking handfuls and it’s kept me entertained throughout the round. Well, the blue jolly rancher worked for one birdie so on the next tee, I popped in another blue one and missed the green just by 2 feet. I told Paulie that I was due to make one from off the green. It went in for birdie! I told him it was the candy, not the caddy or player. I popped in one more blue jolly rancher for the eighteenth hole but tapped in for par for a one under round of 71.
I’m currently -3 for the three rounds, tied for 9th. I have to finish in the top 30 in order to qualify for the Final Stage of Q School in December. I believe I have 6 shots to spare tomorrow but that’s not my plan. I’m going to stick to my game plan and hopefully continue to find a lot of greens and try to make the birdies when they become available. The heat is strong here in the desert but I’ve had a really good week with my family being here. My aunt and uncle from San Diego came over a few nights ago so we’ve been at the pool every afternoon at our resort, relaxing and catching up. It’s kind of nice to just be at the course to warm up, play, and leave immediately. We were laughing today at how my preparation was so different this year than last. I was in NYC last week and didn’t touch my clubs for almost a week before heading over here for two days of practice. It seemed to work out all right so far. I’ve always been a big believer in quality over quantity. Get your crap done then get outta there. Ha!!! I really appreciate everyone’s encouraging words this week. I’ve been on my phone constantly but it’s because I love hearing from you guys! I couldn’t do it without a lot of people in my life. I’m blessed.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Season Comes to an End...
I’ve procrastinated long enough; it’s time to update.
Two weeks ago, I played in Albany, NY for my final 2010 Futures Tour event. I made another cut with Paulie on my bag but unfortunately my ball did not find the hole as quick as I would have liked. The good news is that I moved up to 73rd on the money list and won’t have to play in Futures Tour Q School in November. That gives me a definite place to play next year but I’m hoping for bigger and better things.
My parents and I took a train from Albany to New York City last Sunday night. It was my first train ride and my dad’s first time to NYC. We were able to walk around that night and get our first taste of NY pizza. My mom and I like to sleep in but my dad has ADD and can’t, so he woke up Monday morning and without even changing out of his pjs, walked down to the Today Show, Rockefeller Center, etc. like a curious little boy. He came back to the room and said a man with three teeth came up to him and said “sir sir, is it morning or night?” My dad was a little confused and said “I’m sorry, what?” The guy said “sir, is it morning or afternoon?” My dad replied “uh morning.” Ha! Gotta love NYC!!! The rest of our day was filled with walking, walking, and more walking. It was crazy how much land we covered but I’m pretty sure my dad got to see everything he wanted.
Tuesday was a more leisurely day of sightseeing and that night we saw Mary Poppins on Broadway (my favorite Disney movie.) It was a short and sweet trip but we all had a good time.
I flew home for two days and spent my time practicing, seeing a few familiar faces, and packing up again for the desert, which is where I find myself today.
I’m playing in the LPGA’s Qualifying School this coming week in Palm Springs, CA. It’s going to be my second time trying to make it and hopefully my time is sooner than later. My folks and I flew out to San Diego last Saturday morning and made the drive over to Palm Springs that afternoon. I was able to get out on one of the courses and play about 12 holes. No one was on the course so it was wonderful. My caddy made it to town today because he was looping last weekend in Arkansas for the LPGA event. I was glad that he spent today with me getting a game plan together for this week’s little adventure.
The weather here is predictable. Hot, sunny, and hot. I haven’t been hitting the ball as far as I normally do but I’ve heard a few others say they are experiencing the same problem since we are close to sea level. I’m going to think it’s that and not me needing to do some more push ups. Q School is 36 holes, a cut to top 70 and ties, and then another 36 holes with top 30 and ties advancing to the Final Stage of Q School in December. If things don’t go well this week, I will travel over to Venice, FL in two weeks to give it another try at that sectional. That is where I qualified last year but I’m really hoping we can cancel those flights after this week. I’d be one happy girl! I hope everyone is looking forward to cooler temps and a great OU Football season : ) Proud of my Sooners last Saturday! I won’t be seeing them live for quite a while but as long as they keep winning, they don’t need my help. Ha! Take care everyone!
What I’m Reading: At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
What I’m Listening To: A little bit of everything!
Two weeks ago, I played in Albany, NY for my final 2010 Futures Tour event. I made another cut with Paulie on my bag but unfortunately my ball did not find the hole as quick as I would have liked. The good news is that I moved up to 73rd on the money list and won’t have to play in Futures Tour Q School in November. That gives me a definite place to play next year but I’m hoping for bigger and better things.
My parents and I took a train from Albany to New York City last Sunday night. It was my first train ride and my dad’s first time to NYC. We were able to walk around that night and get our first taste of NY pizza. My mom and I like to sleep in but my dad has ADD and can’t, so he woke up Monday morning and without even changing out of his pjs, walked down to the Today Show, Rockefeller Center, etc. like a curious little boy. He came back to the room and said a man with three teeth came up to him and said “sir sir, is it morning or night?” My dad was a little confused and said “I’m sorry, what?” The guy said “sir, is it morning or afternoon?” My dad replied “uh morning.” Ha! Gotta love NYC!!! The rest of our day was filled with walking, walking, and more walking. It was crazy how much land we covered but I’m pretty sure my dad got to see everything he wanted.
Tuesday was a more leisurely day of sightseeing and that night we saw Mary Poppins on Broadway (my favorite Disney movie.) It was a short and sweet trip but we all had a good time.
I flew home for two days and spent my time practicing, seeing a few familiar faces, and packing up again for the desert, which is where I find myself today.
I’m playing in the LPGA’s Qualifying School this coming week in Palm Springs, CA. It’s going to be my second time trying to make it and hopefully my time is sooner than later. My folks and I flew out to San Diego last Saturday morning and made the drive over to Palm Springs that afternoon. I was able to get out on one of the courses and play about 12 holes. No one was on the course so it was wonderful. My caddy made it to town today because he was looping last weekend in Arkansas for the LPGA event. I was glad that he spent today with me getting a game plan together for this week’s little adventure.
The weather here is predictable. Hot, sunny, and hot. I haven’t been hitting the ball as far as I normally do but I’ve heard a few others say they are experiencing the same problem since we are close to sea level. I’m going to think it’s that and not me needing to do some more push ups. Q School is 36 holes, a cut to top 70 and ties, and then another 36 holes with top 30 and ties advancing to the Final Stage of Q School in December. If things don’t go well this week, I will travel over to Venice, FL in two weeks to give it another try at that sectional. That is where I qualified last year but I’m really hoping we can cancel those flights after this week. I’d be one happy girl! I hope everyone is looking forward to cooler temps and a great OU Football season : ) Proud of my Sooners last Saturday! I won’t be seeing them live for quite a while but as long as they keep winning, they don’t need my help. Ha! Take care everyone!
What I’m Reading: At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
What I’m Listening To: A little bit of everything!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Rainin' in Richmond
I am apparently on my way home. I don’t even know where home is anymore!!! I’ve been gone from Oklahoma for so long that my dog isn’t even going to recognize me. I’m just glad she’s still breathing (as far as I know.)
I’ve been in Richmond, VA the past week and a hot and humid one it was! We were rained on for many of the days and I felt like I was sweating like Shaq on a basketball court. I played with some nice girls that I’ve never met before and once again, my caddy and I had a blast out there. It makes things much more enjoyable when you have someone consistently out there that you can laugh and get your mind off of golf. I hope that we will never be mic’d up on anything because we are the most inappropriate team out there. People who know me know I enjoy the dirty jokes, inappropriate stories, etc. so that’s why if anyone sees me laughing on the course, it’s probably a reaction to what Paulie said.
Our first round started off well with a few birdies out of the gate. I found a few bogeys throughout the day and finished the round with a bogey on 18 to finish one over. That bogey left a sour taste in my mouth but I knew I had work to do on Saturday if I wanted to make a check. Saturday afternoon was another solid start and found back-to-back birdies to get myself -1 for the tournament. I had one dumb bogey on a par 5 but that was it for the entire day. We finished the second round at -2 for the tournament sitting 4 back of the leaders and in 17th place. Sunday rolled around and I had the start I was not wanting. I flared a par 3 tee shot a little to the right and nailed the cart path, sending the ball in the air over pine trees and out of bounds. I walked away with triple and knew I had tons of work to do over the next 16 holes. Life wasn’t going to be easy for me if I wanted to make a decent check. I found one more dumb bogey on #8 but made birdies on #11, #12, and #14 to get more score back to +1 for the day, -1 for the tournament. I finished my last three holes like an idiot and finished the tournament at +2. I was not a happy camper. I proud myself on how I react to bad luck and poor golf shots but the last three holes really ate at me and I showed it outwardly, so my mom claims. She’s a bit hard on me so I’m sure it was not that bad but I learned a lesson that I need to finish stronger and remind myself that there are little kids watching me and looking up to me. I hate it when my brother or whoever else has a temper on the golf course so I need to grow up and realize I’m responsible for my actions, both golf and personally, and to accept the outcome no matter what.
Another cut made so I can say the past 4 tournaments have been a great success with my new caddy Paulie. It’s looking like I won’t have to go back to Futures Tour Q School in November…meaning another week and a half at home not traveling and more money in my pocket. Yay!!!
Paulie will be caddying for me at LPGA Q School in September so that’s one relief I have. Home for two weeks then back out to Albany, NY for the last tournament of Futures Tour. Both of my parents will be there and I’m excited for my dad to see my improvements from the year. We are going to NYC afterwards to enjoy a mini vacay. My dad has never been so I’m excited for him to go.
Boarding the plane! Thanks for all the encouragement. I know I’m growing and getting better, good things are to come!
I’ve been in Richmond, VA the past week and a hot and humid one it was! We were rained on for many of the days and I felt like I was sweating like Shaq on a basketball court. I played with some nice girls that I’ve never met before and once again, my caddy and I had a blast out there. It makes things much more enjoyable when you have someone consistently out there that you can laugh and get your mind off of golf. I hope that we will never be mic’d up on anything because we are the most inappropriate team out there. People who know me know I enjoy the dirty jokes, inappropriate stories, etc. so that’s why if anyone sees me laughing on the course, it’s probably a reaction to what Paulie said.
Our first round started off well with a few birdies out of the gate. I found a few bogeys throughout the day and finished the round with a bogey on 18 to finish one over. That bogey left a sour taste in my mouth but I knew I had work to do on Saturday if I wanted to make a check. Saturday afternoon was another solid start and found back-to-back birdies to get myself -1 for the tournament. I had one dumb bogey on a par 5 but that was it for the entire day. We finished the second round at -2 for the tournament sitting 4 back of the leaders and in 17th place. Sunday rolled around and I had the start I was not wanting. I flared a par 3 tee shot a little to the right and nailed the cart path, sending the ball in the air over pine trees and out of bounds. I walked away with triple and knew I had tons of work to do over the next 16 holes. Life wasn’t going to be easy for me if I wanted to make a decent check. I found one more dumb bogey on #8 but made birdies on #11, #12, and #14 to get more score back to +1 for the day, -1 for the tournament. I finished my last three holes like an idiot and finished the tournament at +2. I was not a happy camper. I proud myself on how I react to bad luck and poor golf shots but the last three holes really ate at me and I showed it outwardly, so my mom claims. She’s a bit hard on me so I’m sure it was not that bad but I learned a lesson that I need to finish stronger and remind myself that there are little kids watching me and looking up to me. I hate it when my brother or whoever else has a temper on the golf course so I need to grow up and realize I’m responsible for my actions, both golf and personally, and to accept the outcome no matter what.
Another cut made so I can say the past 4 tournaments have been a great success with my new caddy Paulie. It’s looking like I won’t have to go back to Futures Tour Q School in November…meaning another week and a half at home not traveling and more money in my pocket. Yay!!!
Paulie will be caddying for me at LPGA Q School in September so that’s one relief I have. Home for two weeks then back out to Albany, NY for the last tournament of Futures Tour. Both of my parents will be there and I’m excited for my dad to see my improvements from the year. We are going to NYC afterwards to enjoy a mini vacay. My dad has never been so I’m excited for him to go.
Boarding the plane! Thanks for all the encouragement. I know I’m growing and getting better, good things are to come!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Coming Down the Home Stretch
Now I’ve never run in a marathon and probably never will, but I feel as though I’m coming down the home stretch of one as this 2010 Duramed Futures Tour season comes to an end.
I feel as though this year has been a long rollercoaster but with only a few elevation changes. I started off the year great with a win in Phoenix at a Cactus Tour event and a second place finish at a Suncoast Tour event in Orlando. I made the first three cuts on the Futures Tour and the next few months looked promising. The summer came around and I hit a wall, a mental block, and missed a few cuts by as little as one stroke.
I believe things happen for a reason and during the first week of July at the US Women’s Open, I was reunited with a guy who I had met months before in Florida. He was caddying for a friend of mine and had a few weeks off in the coming weeks. He offered to help and I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve talked about Paulie before in a previous blog or two but I feel like with him on the bag, I’ve been producing some scores that I knew I was capable of doing. We haven’t missed a cut together and he continues to tell me that I have what it takes to make it to the next Tour so that only gives me confidence in myself and in my own game.
Last week we were in Harrisburg, PA. My mom flew in so I had my old roommate back for the week. The tournament was played at a resort course that was on a side of a mountain. It was pretty difficult to walk but Paulie and I got off to a great start by shooting three under in the first round. I could have taken it nasty low with plenty of opportunities but three under was a decent score for a difficult course. The next two days were not as easy for me and I quickly fell out of the top 10 but made a check and learned that I have what it takes to win every week, I just need to stay patient and believe in myself. My aunt Cathy and high school teammate Rosie came to watch as well. It was great having them there!
My mom and I drove down to Winchester, VA Sunday night to see her mom, brother, sisters, brother-in-laws and my cousins. I have a brand new baby cousin Zoe so I was able to play with her and learned how to change a diaper! Not that I changed it or anything but I watched and took notes… It was great seeing them and was a nice two-day vacation of no golf!
We drove on down to Richmond Tuesday morning where I met Paulie at Kinloch Golf Club to rate for Golf Digest. It was a gorgeous course and we had a great time trash talking one another. I’ve spent the past two days practicing at Richmond Country Club where we will tee up tomorrow afternoon for the first round of the Greater Richmond Golf Classic. I plan to play smart and consistent and if I keep the faith, I feel like Paulie and I will be hard to beat.
My mom and I will head home Monday afternoon for TWO FULL WEEKS!!! I’m sort of excited because I haven’t been home that long in months!!! I have a lot of hard work ahead of me before I get to go home but I’m looking forward to playing some great golf! Have a great weekend everybody!
I feel as though this year has been a long rollercoaster but with only a few elevation changes. I started off the year great with a win in Phoenix at a Cactus Tour event and a second place finish at a Suncoast Tour event in Orlando. I made the first three cuts on the Futures Tour and the next few months looked promising. The summer came around and I hit a wall, a mental block, and missed a few cuts by as little as one stroke.
I believe things happen for a reason and during the first week of July at the US Women’s Open, I was reunited with a guy who I had met months before in Florida. He was caddying for a friend of mine and had a few weeks off in the coming weeks. He offered to help and I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve talked about Paulie before in a previous blog or two but I feel like with him on the bag, I’ve been producing some scores that I knew I was capable of doing. We haven’t missed a cut together and he continues to tell me that I have what it takes to make it to the next Tour so that only gives me confidence in myself and in my own game.
Last week we were in Harrisburg, PA. My mom flew in so I had my old roommate back for the week. The tournament was played at a resort course that was on a side of a mountain. It was pretty difficult to walk but Paulie and I got off to a great start by shooting three under in the first round. I could have taken it nasty low with plenty of opportunities but three under was a decent score for a difficult course. The next two days were not as easy for me and I quickly fell out of the top 10 but made a check and learned that I have what it takes to win every week, I just need to stay patient and believe in myself. My aunt Cathy and high school teammate Rosie came to watch as well. It was great having them there!
My mom and I drove down to Winchester, VA Sunday night to see her mom, brother, sisters, brother-in-laws and my cousins. I have a brand new baby cousin Zoe so I was able to play with her and learned how to change a diaper! Not that I changed it or anything but I watched and took notes… It was great seeing them and was a nice two-day vacation of no golf!
We drove on down to Richmond Tuesday morning where I met Paulie at Kinloch Golf Club to rate for Golf Digest. It was a gorgeous course and we had a great time trash talking one another. I’ve spent the past two days practicing at Richmond Country Club where we will tee up tomorrow afternoon for the first round of the Greater Richmond Golf Classic. I plan to play smart and consistent and if I keep the faith, I feel like Paulie and I will be hard to beat.
My mom and I will head home Monday afternoon for TWO FULL WEEKS!!! I’m sort of excited because I haven’t been home that long in months!!! I have a lot of hard work ahead of me before I get to go home but I’m looking forward to playing some great golf! Have a great weekend everybody!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Only I Do the Things I Do...
I was really proud of my recent purchase for my caddy. He looks like a fan!
113th to 45th to 14th. That’s how I played in this past week’s tournament in Syracuse, NY. Who in the world does such a thing? Talk about putting yourself in a MAJOR hole. I had my caddy Paulie worried. He won’t admit it but I could tell he was one frustrated “parent” with his child at dinner following my awesome performance in the first round.
I was struggling with my swing early on in the week and had no clue how to control my golf ball. I was praying for a miracle that all I needed was to go to bed and wake up with a new golf swing. It didn’t work but thankfully I made it through my first 10 holes in even par. #11 decided to hate on me and gave me a triple to really set the tone for the back 9 of the first round. I finished my final 8 holes in 7 over par. There was a pond to the left of 18 green and I thought about chunking my ball in it after I putted out. Instead, I saw a nice little grandma sitting in her wheelchair watching us come in so I walked over to her and said “I thought about throwing this in the water but instead I’m going to give it to you. Thanks so much for coming out and supporting us.” She was thrilled and so was I…to be done with that round.
#11
Paulie and I escaped to a Mexican restaurant and I decided to have a strawberry margarita because I needed something good in my life that day. I’m a bit superstitious…when I was in Denver in June for the Colorado Open I had an awful round and decided to have an adult beverage or two and the next day went out and shot 66. That was my thinking after Friday’s performance, what could be worse than sitting in 113th? The next morning, Paulie and I went out and shot 3 under to put us in 45th and playing on Sunday! It wasn’t a perfect round but clutch coming down the stretch. I made the putt of my life on my 17th hole because I knew I needed to get it back to four over par in order to know for sure that I was going to make the cut. It turned out that I didn’t need to make the putt but it felt good to know that I did it. I stood over that putt and never prayed so hard in my life. I actually pray A LOT over putts. It’s not a swing thought so I figure it’s a good place for your mind to go during the process.
I teed off bright and early Sunday morning off the 10th hole for the final round. I got off to a steady start with a lot of pars and found 3 birdies in a row on 16, 17 and 18. The back nine is really goofy so getting through there at even par is a great goal. The first round I was 7 over on it, second round 1 under and final round 3 under. Much better. The front nine has two back to back par 5s that are reachable in two so those are legit birdies if not better. Sunday was my best opportunity for birdies being just short of the green in two but walked away with two pars. I was not a happy camper. Paulie and I got to the third hole, which has one of the goofiest greens on the course. I was looking at a 20 footer and read it the complete opposite way that Paulie did. I trusted him and hit it the way he wanted me to. It went in. I looked to him and yelled “you suck!” That’s how we work. It's a love/hate relationship. That was a gift from him because that was not a birdie putt. He probably had a few cuss words for me which makes me laugh and gets me going. I could now forgive myself a little for the two par 5s that I played in even par. I found my one and only bogey on the 4th hole but got it right back by almost holing the 5th par 3. I had a few more opportunities for birdie coming in but finished the day at four under and the tournament at even par. I was really fighting for one more birdie because I thought that would be great to be 7 over at one point in the tournament and coming back to finish under par but getting it back to even was pretty good I guess.
25 yard elevation...not an easy par 3 but birdied it the final 2 rds!
Enough about golf, more about what we did off the course! Syracuse is a cute town with some nice suburbs. We stayed in Fayetteville, NY with the best host housing! They had a big family with a full house of other relatives, friends, and pets. The place had its own golf simulator room, ping pong table, movie theater, hot tub, and every sport equipment you could think of. My heaven. Lucy and I played about 100 games of ping pong during the week. I won a total of 4 games and gave it my all. I’m not a bad ping pong player!!! That’s the thing. I consider myself decent to good. She’s just really really good. It’s a secret talent of hers and I really dislike her for it. It was a blast though and I found my love for the game all over again. We conquered the left-handed golf swing during the week. I’ve always said that I wanted to get good at left-handed golf but now I really think I can get it down, I just need a set of clubs. Also, what was most exciting is that I learned how to play lacrosse. In my 23 years of living, I’ve never touched a lacrosse stick (or whatever you call it.) I learned that if you are good at lacrosse, you come from Syracuse. It was a lot of fun but I only have one speed at throwing it and I’d like to compare it to the movie Rookie of the Year when the kid breaks his arm. I was zipping it to Lucy and she didn’t appreciate running down the street to retrieve the ball…my bad Lou! We are planning on buying some sticks in the next town to use during any free time we have. I’m bringing the sport down to Oklahoma!
My first time at Lacrosse
Where we spent most of our downtime
I couldn't decide which sport I wanted to play.
We drove around forever so we could jump the fence to get a picture with the bear.
We saw Salt and Dinner With Schmucks. Don’t waste your money on Salt but I thought Dinner With Schmucks was hilarious! We ate at the famous Dinosaurs BBQ in downtown Syracuse so I could get my weekly ribs. It was delish! I was able to get on the Aric Lee Show on ESPN Radio last Wednesday night. My caddy is a good friend of his and they claim I get to be on weekly now. Everyone should tune in! ESPN is a dream place for me to work so anything to do with it, I’m all for it. I only had one major "uh oh" during the week at the house and that was yesterday. I was going to use the family’s big TV to show Lucy some videos from my camera. The plugs weren’t working and the TV had a slot for my Sony memory stick. I stuck it in there but it was too small for the opening. CRAPPPPPPP!!!! I used tweezers, my own mouth, a cuticle utensil, and a return address sticker to get the dang thing out. Don't ask. It was a miracle. Lucy watched me from afar for cheap entertainment and came to the conclusion that I shouldn’t stick my things in places it doesn’t belong. …that’s what she said.
My enemy...but I outsmarted it!
I'm a happy girl
The host family's dog Ashley! This was her every morning.
Lucy loved this cat and the cat loved her...can you tell?
We are currently on the way to Philadelphia to run the steps of Rocky and see the Liberty Bell. I want to visit this cute market place and then we will head over to Harrisburg, PA for the week. I’m crashing at Lucy’s host housing for two nights then Mama Dye is flying in for this tournament and the next. I can't wait to have my mom back out here with me! I have my aunt coming to watch as well as my high school teammate Rosie. I’m excited to see some long lost faces. Kris Allen (my husband in my next life) is coming to Hershey, PA Friday night with Daughtry so I’m planning on stalking him to score some free tickets. It’s been in my planner for many months…I gotta see him!
Hope everyone is enjoying their last few weeks of summer. I get sad thinking that I have missed my entire summer in Oklahoma but I can’t be too selfish, all I know is summer and nice weather all year round.
On to the next one!!!
I found this hilarious...people who know me will understand
What I’m Reading: Eat Pray Love
What I’m Listening to: A little bit of everything right now!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Change Is Gonna Come
My absolute dream job!
Well friends, thankfully my prayers and possibly other people’s prayers were answered and I finally played well this past week in Bloomfield, CT! It’s been a long time coming but I did it! I met a tour caddy by the name of Paulie back in Daytona Beach, FL in March when he was caddying for another player. I spent some time with him last week at the US Womens Open and revealed to him that I had been struggling to perform. He normally caddies out on the LPGA but had a week off and offered his help this week in Connecticut. I jumped at the opportunity because I know his record and his referrals were nothing but positive. I knew a change was gonna come!
Before we hit the links this week, Lucy and I had the opportunity to visit ESPN (my dream job) in Bristol, CT. We had a nice tour of the campus and met some nice people. We ran across a few famous faces and were able to take many pictures. I had no clue how stressful of a job it is but I believe the on-air talent have the easiest job. The people behind the scenes do it all and it’s a 24/7 stressful, stressful job! We went the morning that Steinbrenner died so it was complete chaos.
I'm in heaven!
Maybe one day...
Lucy and I made it to the course that afternoon but as soon as we arrived it started to pour so I rode around in the cart with my caddy just to see the place before we teed it up for our first practice round Wednesday morning. It was Paulie’s birthday on Thursday so we celebrated it at Buffalo Wild Wings Wednesday night with the entire Duramed Futures Tour staff. It was pretty fun to see them off the course and relaxing a bit and sharing stories. They are a funny bunch!
Thursday was an afternoon practice round so that morning I called Hartford Golf Club to see if Lucy and I could come out and practice. They were extremely gracious and allowed us to come out and use all their facilities. It was an old 1920s Donald Ross design and was gorgeous! As we were finishing up our practice session we met this man who offered to get our lunch at the club. Score! He even wanted us to stay with him and his wife at their big house this week but we felt like that would be a bit too much. It turns out his wife is from Oklahoma City and his in-laws still live there. Small world. Lunch was much better than what we are used to so we were happy campers!
Friday was the first round and Lucy and I both had early morning tee times. We had the better-conditioned greens but that didn’t stop me from missing putts. I ended up shooting two over and sat right on the cut line. That has been typical for me to shoot a decent round and then lose it in the second round to miss the cut. I had a different feeling this week with Paulie on the bag and never thought about the cut, just thought about the present and how I wanted to birdie every hole. I had read articles about Paulie’s past players and how he kept them so relaxed out there and I thought that was just typical of a caddy but for some reason, it’s really true about him! He’s very positive, hilarious out there, and knows his stuff! He may be tweeting during practice rounds and chatting it up with the other players before tournament rounds but once the gun goes off, he’s ready to work and is hardly off with distances. I’ve never laughed so much during a tournament than the past week, which I think is a good thing. I wish I could have made more putts for him but my number one goal for the week was to make the cut and have three consistent good rounds. Goal completed! I ended up shooting 72-68-69 for a three-day total of -1 and tying for 21st. It was my season-best finish on the Duramed Futures Tour but I still have some room to gain for the last four tournaments. I definitely need to finish in the top 90 on the money list but top 20 is still in reach to be able to forego the first stage of LPGA Q School.
We saw Inception on Friday night after our round and I must say it was crazy! The reviews have all been good but I think I had ADD during the movie because I was going stir crazy. It’s a good one, it makes you think, and I don’t think Leo ever puts out a bad movie. Saturday night after our second round Lucy and I went out to eat with my caddy, her caddy, and another LPGA tour caddy to a restaurant called Max’s Burgers in West Hartford Center. If you are ever in that area, go there! I had the best burger I’ve ever eaten in my whole entire life. Sweet potato fries, the whole nine yards. Yum! Last night (Sunday night), Lucy and I went over to Jane Rah’s host house (who was 98 years old) and had homemade sushi made by the one and only Mama Rah! It was delicious and we ate a billion pieces. As we were driving back to our hotel, I asked Lucy if she was still hungry. We are fat girls so we went to McDonalds and rewarded ourselves with a Big Mac! I haven’t had one in ages but it was a lot smaller than I remembered! We ate really well (as in didn’t starve) but hardly spent any money this week so we are learning how to use our sources haha! I am currently on an airplane back to Oklahoma City for an entire week. I’m so excited to be home for a short while and have a summer! I think I’m going to enjoy this week and maybe not put so much on my plate. I’m getting a shot in the toe this afternoon because the shattered bone is calling my name again so gotta get that taken care of. My mom has some kind of delicious dinner planned tonight because she has reservations. We don’t ever have reservations so I’m ind of interested to see what it’s all about. My dad has golf league so it’ll just be girls night out tonight. I’m planning on going to Norman to practice, see my college sports psychologist and have lunch with an old teammate. I really want to go lay on a float one afternoon in my best friend’s pool and work on the tan lines. It’s the simple things in life that I look forward to. I have a gig on Friday at an Edmond golf course where I have to hit tee shots for my high school and another Edmond high school’s football fundraiser scramble. They will put me on a ladies tee box on either a par 4 or 5 and be able to get it on the green or give the groups a short shot in on a par 5. It should be a fun time. Thanks for everyone who have prayed for me and given me encouragement during the rough past few weeks. I know things are getting better; I just have to keeping looking ahead.
Next up: Syracuse, NY July 26-August 1
Harrisburg, PA August 2-8
Richmond, VA August 9-15
Albany, NY August 30-September 5
Monday, July 12, 2010
US Womens Open
Oh my goodness. What a week! I knew going into the week that caddying in the US Womens Open was going to be awesome but I had no clue how much fun we were going to have!
Lucy had a late first round tee time so we woke up early Thursday and went out to practice while the first half of the field was out playing. We had the place to ourselves and I think it calmed her nerves a bit. Nothing is worse than having a late tee time and sitting around all day. It’s hard not to think about your round and how you’re going to perform and trying not to watch the leader board as the morning wave plays.
The crowds were much much bigger and just hearing the applauses and roars were music to my ears. It’s kind of nice being on the other side of the bag because I didn’t have nerves the whole week. Lucy’s short game made Oakmont look easy leading up to the tournament. She was hitting the ball great and we had an awesome game plan for the course. We got off to a nice solid start and didn’t find any trouble until our 8th hole of the day, #17. It’s the short par 4 hole that Jim Furyk bogeyed in ’07 in the US Open. Our original game plan was to hit an iron up the hill to make sure we kept the ball in the fairway. She chose 5 iron which was the play and landed the ball in the left side of the fairway. We walked up there and had to get the gallery to yell at us to let us know where the ball ended up. An inch above the bunker on the side wall in thick US Open rough. No need to go into detail but we walked away with a triple followed by a double on 18. If we took 4 holes away or even changed them to bogeys it would have made a world of a difference. Instead her first round was an 83 and we had a lot of work to do the next day.
The second round we had another solid start. Had an understandable bogey on 3 but turned around and had back-to-back birdies on 5 and 6. We made the turn at even and found a double on 10. #10 flat out sucks. Not a fan of that hole. Lucy made another putt from off the green on #16 which was sweet. I told her it was going to be a quick putt and she nailed the putt pretty hard, not listening to her caddy. If it didn’t hit the pin it was going off the green. All I could do was throw my hands in the air, pretty much saying “it’s good!!!!” The round was called once we got to 17 green because of lightning. I heard Oakmont got at least 2 inches of rain that night and it was amazing how quickly they turned the course around for the next morning’s finish of the 2nd round. We woke up at the butt crack of dawn and finished our last two holes. She ended up shooting 78 and missed the cut. She was bummed but I had to tell her that she should be proud that she qualified for the Open…I didn’t and envied every shot she was able to hit. I’m really glad she asked me to caddy though. It was hard work and my back and feet hated me for it but I learned so much and realized that that’s my ultimate goal. I want to be in that atmosphere week in and week out. I’m going to work hard and do my very best to not get down on myself and to keep looking ahead for the ultimate goal.
)
I was able to meet Christina Kim in the locker room during the rain delay and got my picture with her. She was really sweet and I was happy I finally got to meet her. We were on the putting green early Saturday morning warming up and were putting at the same hole as Kristy McPherson. I like her golf game and since she’s American, I said “hey good luck today. We’re pulling for you.” I think she was slightly caught off guard because she said “who me? Thanks! Ya’ll have fun today!” …she went out and shot 78 I believe and knocked herself out of contention. I apparently jinxed her. Paula Creamer was walking past us that same morning and I said “good morning” in a cheerful voice and all she mustered out was a “morning” and didn’t even make eye contact with me. Hmm…I guess it was too early in the morning for her. I was able to give Wendy Ward a hug and had a quick chat before she headed out and played awesome on Saturday to put her in the final group on the final round. She’s a fellow Ping girl and veteran out there so I was pulling for her to play well the last day. I played with her in February in Phoenix and really enjoyed playing with her. She recommended me to this amazing chiropractor in Scottsdale because I had the worst crick in my neck. Very nice lady so I had to cheer her on. Sunday rolled around and of course I walked by Paula Creamer before she teed off so I told her “good luck today!” And she looked at me (finally) and gave me a quiet “thank you.” I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was in the zone. Lucy thinks I was trying to jinx her but I was sincere when I said it! Lucy, her dad, her brother-in-law, and me went out and watched the entire final round. It was the coolest atmosphere and just a blast to watch them play the same course we knew. I’ve never seen anyone win a major championship in person so we stayed til the end, had a great view and afterwards snuck under the ropes and were on the 18th green with Paula when she gave her acceptance speech. I’m really glad an American won and it was definitely her time to win a major.
Lucy and I are on our way to Hartford, CT right now. We are taking a tiny detour because I thought going along the coast would be prettier than going through Scranton, PA. I’ve only been to NYC once so the whole northeast part of the country is new to me.
I’m really excited because I found a great tour caddie to work for me the last couple of tournaments of the Futures Tour season. He’s caddied for a lot of great players and is definitely wanted by a lot of players but for some reason he wants to carry my bag. I’m already grateful and excited to see how well we can play these courses. One more week in Connecticut then flying home for a week to get refreshed and say hi to the family, dog, and friends before I head out for another 3 weeks.
I didn’t get a whole lot of practice this week in Oakmont but hopefully there isn’t much rust and more course smarts in my head to take me on to a victory. I feel like I have my back against the wall right now because I’ve been in a somewhat huge slump of playing consistently well and I really need to finish in the top 90 on the money list so four great finishes is what I’m looking for. Please keep me in your prayers this week. I’d really appreciate it. Take care everyone!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Ohhh. Akmont.
Ahh! Finally wifi! I had to find a McDonalds in Oakmont, PA to get some internet on my computer. We are staying in a 100 year old home this week for the US Women’s Open and they don’t happen to have internet.
For everyone who has been busy must know that the US Women’s Open is this weekend! July 8-11. It will be on ESPN2 Thursday and Friday from 3-7pm est. On the weekend, coverage will be on NBC. Set your dvrs! It’s going to be an amazing championship.
I’m caddying for my good friend, Lucy Nunn. I’ve done many caddy gigs before and I must say that I get more animated on their ball than my own. Hopefully the mics won’t catch what I have to say tomorrow afternoon when the ball is in the air or not stopping where we need it to. They claim the greens are rolling around a 15 on the stimp. Piece of cake right? It’s a shame that last week we were on greens that looked like shag carpet. I think Lucy has the green speeds down pretty good but I will feel sorry for her next week when she’s back on the Futures Tour playing in Connecticut with me and they are back to rolling around a 9 ha!
Lucy and I drove in to Pittsburgh on Sunday night and headed downtown to Square Station for the 4th of July. We took a tram up to Mt. Washington and joined hundreds of thousands of people overlooking the Allegheny River and downtown Pitt. It was pretty fun minus the fact that when it was over, it took us an hour and a half to get back to the hotel because of all the traffic. Bad move on our part and I must say that if I never see another firework again, I’m okay by that. That’s how bad the traffic sucked!
We woke up early Monday morning and went to the airport to pick up the sweet Lexus SUV courtesy car for the week. I got to follow behind in her beauty of a Honda CRV. I’m not complaining, she let me drive the Lexus that night back to the airport to pick up her folks. After we got the Lexus, we drove across town to Oakmont to get the keys, etc. for the house we rented for the week. It was a smart move because we are two blocks away from the course and it’s so nice being in a house rather than a hotel room that we are so used to being in.
Lucy and I went to Oakmont CC Monday around lunchtime to register and walk the course. We ate in the clubhouse and that’s when I knew it was going to be a fun week. Brittany Lincicome, Juli Inkster, you name it, they were all around. I had to act cool like they were normal people but they aren’t, they’re great golfers! We walked the course, which took some time but were able to see a lot of things and jot down a lot of notes. The folks flew in Monday night so our shenanigans had to end quickly.
Tuesday morning rolled around and I woke up and practiced at this pretty 1920s Donald Ross design called Green Oaks Country Club in Verona, PA, 10 minutes from the house. It’s a perfect place because it’s not ever crowded and the place is in magnificent shape! I had a quick range session then went back to get Lucy and the fam to head for lunch at Oakmont. I have my own caddie house down by the range and it’s filled with nothing but guys. The food they have is very manly, Italian sausages, bbq….stuff a girl doesn’t want to eat in 90+ degree temps. I had Lucy bring me down a sandwich from up above where the fancy people eat and drink. She warmed up and then we were on our merry way to #1 tee box.
It was a long practice round but we learned a lot from playing it just once. We played with a 14 year old who is a stud and Lucy’s old teammate Kelli Shean, who will be a senior on Arkansas’ team next year. She’s a great player as well. It was a blur of a night because we were back at the course just a few hours later (7 this morning.) A quick warm-up session and we were back walking down #1 fairway. We kept saying, “I feel like we were just here.” ….Maybe because we were. The crowds enjoy the practice rounds because they are able to get autographs, pictures, and it’s just a more laid back setting. I like to watch the men laugh when they watch the balls on the greens go sailing by. I told Lucy Monday afternoon when we were first stepping onto the property, “There’s no reason to be nervous because everyone who is watching you wouldn’t be able to break 100 out here. They are very quick to judge a golf shot but they’d never be able to do what you do out here so let’s get in our own bubble and play our own golf like we did at Lawton Country Club as 12 year olds.” …Lucy and I go back further than that but it makes me feel old when I say we’ve been both doing this for over 15 years. We may look young in the face but as a team, we have over 30 years of golf experience. Yikes. Old. I’m done talking about years now.
I have seen Lucy play thousands of golf shots and I’ve never seen her hit it better than now. She’s ready and I think our game plan is smart and doable. As long as I keep her smiling down the fairways for the cameras and calm on the inside, things will go well for us. I wish more than anything I could play this week but I know my time will come. It’s a learning process and I’m just thankful I get to be on the bag this week and see everything first hand before I tee up my own ball in the US Women's Open.
We are having a huge cookout tonight at our house with more Razorback’s (Stacy Lewis, Kelli Shean, coaches, families, etc.) This Sooner will probably be sporting an OU hat tomorrow because I’ve seen too many hog things this week and I need to get back to my roots. I hope everyone had a great week and is looking forward to watching some great golf this weekend!
For everyone who has been busy must know that the US Women’s Open is this weekend! July 8-11. It will be on ESPN2 Thursday and Friday from 3-7pm est. On the weekend, coverage will be on NBC. Set your dvrs! It’s going to be an amazing championship.
I’m caddying for my good friend, Lucy Nunn. I’ve done many caddy gigs before and I must say that I get more animated on their ball than my own. Hopefully the mics won’t catch what I have to say tomorrow afternoon when the ball is in the air or not stopping where we need it to. They claim the greens are rolling around a 15 on the stimp. Piece of cake right? It’s a shame that last week we were on greens that looked like shag carpet. I think Lucy has the green speeds down pretty good but I will feel sorry for her next week when she’s back on the Futures Tour playing in Connecticut with me and they are back to rolling around a 9 ha!
Lucy and I drove in to Pittsburgh on Sunday night and headed downtown to Square Station for the 4th of July. We took a tram up to Mt. Washington and joined hundreds of thousands of people overlooking the Allegheny River and downtown Pitt. It was pretty fun minus the fact that when it was over, it took us an hour and a half to get back to the hotel because of all the traffic. Bad move on our part and I must say that if I never see another firework again, I’m okay by that. That’s how bad the traffic sucked!
We woke up early Monday morning and went to the airport to pick up the sweet Lexus SUV courtesy car for the week. I got to follow behind in her beauty of a Honda CRV. I’m not complaining, she let me drive the Lexus that night back to the airport to pick up her folks. After we got the Lexus, we drove across town to Oakmont to get the keys, etc. for the house we rented for the week. It was a smart move because we are two blocks away from the course and it’s so nice being in a house rather than a hotel room that we are so used to being in.
Lucy and I went to Oakmont CC Monday around lunchtime to register and walk the course. We ate in the clubhouse and that’s when I knew it was going to be a fun week. Brittany Lincicome, Juli Inkster, you name it, they were all around. I had to act cool like they were normal people but they aren’t, they’re great golfers! We walked the course, which took some time but were able to see a lot of things and jot down a lot of notes. The folks flew in Monday night so our shenanigans had to end quickly.
Tuesday morning rolled around and I woke up and practiced at this pretty 1920s Donald Ross design called Green Oaks Country Club in Verona, PA, 10 minutes from the house. It’s a perfect place because it’s not ever crowded and the place is in magnificent shape! I had a quick range session then went back to get Lucy and the fam to head for lunch at Oakmont. I have my own caddie house down by the range and it’s filled with nothing but guys. The food they have is very manly, Italian sausages, bbq….stuff a girl doesn’t want to eat in 90+ degree temps. I had Lucy bring me down a sandwich from up above where the fancy people eat and drink. She warmed up and then we were on our merry way to #1 tee box.
It was a long practice round but we learned a lot from playing it just once. We played with a 14 year old who is a stud and Lucy’s old teammate Kelli Shean, who will be a senior on Arkansas’ team next year. She’s a great player as well. It was a blur of a night because we were back at the course just a few hours later (7 this morning.) A quick warm-up session and we were back walking down #1 fairway. We kept saying, “I feel like we were just here.” ….Maybe because we were. The crowds enjoy the practice rounds because they are able to get autographs, pictures, and it’s just a more laid back setting. I like to watch the men laugh when they watch the balls on the greens go sailing by. I told Lucy Monday afternoon when we were first stepping onto the property, “There’s no reason to be nervous because everyone who is watching you wouldn’t be able to break 100 out here. They are very quick to judge a golf shot but they’d never be able to do what you do out here so let’s get in our own bubble and play our own golf like we did at Lawton Country Club as 12 year olds.” …Lucy and I go back further than that but it makes me feel old when I say we’ve been both doing this for over 15 years. We may look young in the face but as a team, we have over 30 years of golf experience. Yikes. Old. I’m done talking about years now.
I have seen Lucy play thousands of golf shots and I’ve never seen her hit it better than now. She’s ready and I think our game plan is smart and doable. As long as I keep her smiling down the fairways for the cameras and calm on the inside, things will go well for us. I wish more than anything I could play this week but I know my time will come. It’s a learning process and I’m just thankful I get to be on the bag this week and see everything first hand before I tee up my own ball in the US Women's Open.
We are having a huge cookout tonight at our house with more Razorback’s (Stacy Lewis, Kelli Shean, coaches, families, etc.) This Sooner will probably be sporting an OU hat tomorrow because I’ve seen too many hog things this week and I need to get back to my roots. I hope everyone had a great week and is looking forward to watching some great golf this weekend!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Keennntucckkyy!!
Alright. One round down. One round where I felt like I grew as a player. I didn’t score as well as I would have liked but my mind scored well under par. I’ve been doing a lot of analyzing of my game and figuring out why I haven’t been scoring the way I should be. I was a happier person out there today and I got more into the process of my game rather than focusing so narrowly and critically of results. Putts didn’t fall like I wanted them to but I realized early on that I can make the best stroke on those greens and sometimes they just won’t fall. The speed of the greens this week are slow, slow, and more slow. They are bumpy, especially in the afternoons but that’s just the way it goes sometimes. I have my good friend Phil on the bag and he helped me stay positive and we were able to talk out shots and lines. I wish I could afford him to be on the bag every week. He teaches me a lot about this sport and it’s nice to have a guy around! I’m getting sick of seeing females so much!
I was paired to play with my close friend Lucy Nunn today so we had a little fun trash talking each other. We’d get mad at each other if one outdrove the other and we had some bets going on towards the end of the round. I’m caddying for her in the US Open next week so it was good to see her game up close and personal in a competitive setting before next week’s huge tournament. I have a feeling I can help her and if the tv decides to show us, she’ll have a smile on her face because I’m good at getting people relaxed and their mind’s off of golf….is that a good thing? Probably not for a major championship. Oh well!
Stuck one close, only because a Dairy Queen dipped cone was riding on a birdie-birdie finish.
I have another late tee time tomorrow afternoon so I’m planning on getting some good sleep tonight and enjoying another beautiful day out in the sticks of Kentucky!
I was paired to play with my close friend Lucy Nunn today so we had a little fun trash talking each other. We’d get mad at each other if one outdrove the other and we had some bets going on towards the end of the round. I’m caddying for her in the US Open next week so it was good to see her game up close and personal in a competitive setting before next week’s huge tournament. I have a feeling I can help her and if the tv decides to show us, she’ll have a smile on her face because I’m good at getting people relaxed and their mind’s off of golf….is that a good thing? Probably not for a major championship. Oh well!
Stuck one close, only because a Dairy Queen dipped cone was riding on a birdie-birdie finish.
I have another late tee time tomorrow afternoon so I’m planning on getting some good sleep tonight and enjoying another beautiful day out in the sticks of Kentucky!
Pullover! No It's a Cardigan But Thanks for Noticing
Normally I just forget to update the blog but this time it was on purpose that I didn’t post. It’s been a rough couple of weeks and I was not my normal self mentally. I was full of negative thoughts and wasn’t happy about my game and what I was doing and how I was thinking. For the second straight week in a row, I missed the cut by 1 shot. In Illinois, my most recent tournament I shot 69-73. The first round I had 3 three putts so it wasn’t the most perfect round. The second round I played pretty solid for the first nine and turned at even par. I began to have weird “what if” thoughts and it got in the way with my game, which caused me to have five consecutive bogeys with one late birdie, but missed playing the weekend by one single shot.
My mom and I loaded up and drove 10 hours home last Saturday. I got pulled over by a rookie cop in the middle of nowhere Missouri…I was going 83 in a 70 and the conversation with the state trooper ended with him saying “sorry” and “you guys can go now if you want.” Haha bless his heart. We laughed all the way home. He won’t make it very long in that profession. I think I was older than him and outweighed him by a few.
I was able to spend Sunday with my dad and family for Father’s Day which was nice. I saw my head pro Brent Cryer a few times throughout the week and played with some friends and members at The Greens in Oklahoma City.
My best friends
I also forecaddied for three days at Gaillardia Country Club for their member guest tournament. My guys didn’t play very well but taught me a few lessons. They weren’t breaking 100 yet they maintained a confidence that they could still make putts, even though they weren’t. Also, I had a confidence in them that they could pull off any shot and a slight mishit was still all right. This taught me to open my eyes up and see that the tiniest mishit I make or a small mistake I make is nothing to fret over. I still have to go find the ball and hit the next shot.
My awesome group I caddied for
My mom and I flew out to Lexington, Kentucky this past Monday to see her best friend of 40 years. They haven’t seen each other in over 25 years so it was neat to see them together. We had dinner with her friend’s family and then stayed the night in Lexington. We got up Tuesday morning and made the quick trip down to London, Kentucky to register and play 9 holes for a short day of practice.
This town is another small town with not much going. Lucy and I have played 2 hours of tennis, I’ve seen a chiropractor and horse masseuse, have seen two movies, and I’d have to say that’s about it. The people here talk so funny. If people who know me think I have an accent, they haven’t seen anything til they come here!
My friend Phillip Bryan, men’s assistant golf coach at Louisville, is coming down to caddy for me starting tomorrow. I hope that he can bring me positive thoughts for the weekend. I’m paired up with Lucy tomorrow afternoon…I just can’t get rid of her! I’m caddying for her in the US Women’s Open next week in Oakmont, PA so we are spending a lot of time together, not to mention traveling and staying together in Connecticut the following week. You can follow live scoring on futurestour.com. Have a great 4th of July weekend everybody!!!
My mom and I loaded up and drove 10 hours home last Saturday. I got pulled over by a rookie cop in the middle of nowhere Missouri…I was going 83 in a 70 and the conversation with the state trooper ended with him saying “sorry” and “you guys can go now if you want.” Haha bless his heart. We laughed all the way home. He won’t make it very long in that profession. I think I was older than him and outweighed him by a few.
I was able to spend Sunday with my dad and family for Father’s Day which was nice. I saw my head pro Brent Cryer a few times throughout the week and played with some friends and members at The Greens in Oklahoma City.
My best friends
I also forecaddied for three days at Gaillardia Country Club for their member guest tournament. My guys didn’t play very well but taught me a few lessons. They weren’t breaking 100 yet they maintained a confidence that they could still make putts, even though they weren’t. Also, I had a confidence in them that they could pull off any shot and a slight mishit was still all right. This taught me to open my eyes up and see that the tiniest mishit I make or a small mistake I make is nothing to fret over. I still have to go find the ball and hit the next shot.
My awesome group I caddied for
My mom and I flew out to Lexington, Kentucky this past Monday to see her best friend of 40 years. They haven’t seen each other in over 25 years so it was neat to see them together. We had dinner with her friend’s family and then stayed the night in Lexington. We got up Tuesday morning and made the quick trip down to London, Kentucky to register and play 9 holes for a short day of practice.
This town is another small town with not much going. Lucy and I have played 2 hours of tennis, I’ve seen a chiropractor and horse masseuse, have seen two movies, and I’d have to say that’s about it. The people here talk so funny. If people who know me think I have an accent, they haven’t seen anything til they come here!
My friend Phillip Bryan, men’s assistant golf coach at Louisville, is coming down to caddy for me starting tomorrow. I hope that he can bring me positive thoughts for the weekend. I’m paired up with Lucy tomorrow afternoon…I just can’t get rid of her! I’m caddying for her in the US Women’s Open next week in Oakmont, PA so we are spending a lot of time together, not to mention traveling and staying together in Connecticut the following week. You can follow live scoring on futurestour.com. Have a great 4th of July weekend everybody!!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Land of Lincoln!
One week down, one more to go. Last Sunday, my mom and I began our two-week journey up to Ohio. I drove the entire way up there while she sat patiently in the passenger seat, reading magazines, texting, facebooking, and making fun of small town names with me. For example, Effingham, IL…great name!
We drove 7 hours to St. Louis, spent the night, and drove 5 hours on to Cincinnati the next day. It was my first time to Cincy so I didn’t know how humid the weather could get. It was unbelievably HUMID! Memphis-like. My friend Lucy and I went to King’s Island Amusement Park Tuesday afternoon after my one-hour driving range session. We had an absolute blast riding all of the roller coasters and acting like little kids. I took my camera on almost every ride and found out at the end of the day that I was breaking a park rule by doing so, whoops!
Wednesday morning I was selected to play in the tournament’s pro am. I was paired up with a fun group and ended up shooting -12. We missed the prizes by 2 shots but I had a great time and met some cool guys. That night I had to go back up to the course for the Pro Party. We have one each week with the sponsors of the tournament. I won an iTunes gift card so I was a happy girl.
Thursday afternoon I had my one and only practice round with my usual group, Lucy Nunn, Kendra Hanson, and Jane Rah. Since Jane is higher up on the money list than the rest of us, I made her sign a contract that if she won she had to pay for all of our tickets back to King’s Island. She was tied for the lead after the first round but ended up getting 9th which is great for a 19 year old!
Friday was my first round of the Teva Championship in Mason, OH and I teed off at 1:30pm. I played alright and made some good putts but also missed two short ones and three putted a few too many times. I shot -1 and stood 5 shots off the lead. The next morning we had a four-hour rain delay that pushed my 12:20pm starting time to 4:25pm. I didn’t think there was any way we could get the round in but as we sprinted up the last par 3 and got our short knocker of the group to tee off on 18, we finished the last hole in the dark while the other girls had to come in due to the horn sounding off because of darkness. I was really thankful we didn’t have to get up and play one hole early Sunday morning. We leisurely got to the course the next morning to find out that I missed the cut by one shot. It was my second cut to miss and kind of heartbreaking to know that I played awful in the second round and only missed it by one. I could count on 2 hands the number of opportunities I had to make birdie or save par and I didn’t. I know every good player misses cuts and I just cannot let this get me down. It is one of many tournaments I play in and just because my swing is going through a lull, I’m going to work extremely hard to make sure that never happens again.
My mom and I decided to drive west and see some of my friends in Carmel, IN. But first, I went to Crooked Stick Golf Club to rate a top 100 golf course. I had no problem getting on and played a quick 18 with their first assistant professional. I warmed up next to Alice Dye giving a lesson to a member and then met famous golf course architect Pete Dye on the first tee box. Pretty neat because I always tell people he is my grandpa and he designs so many great golf courses. He was a pretty cute old man and it made my day! Little did I know that when I was on my second to last hole, I took my cart the wrong way and almost went right into a member’s tee shot. That member happened to be Peyton Manning. I wanted to go over there and get a picture with him but the assistant pro said that he is the one member that they shy away people from. Danget! At least I got to see him up close and personal though. I slow played the rest of the way around just in case he came back by the clubhouse. He never did but maybe one day I’ll get to really meet him. We had a home cooked dinner with my friends, the Savich’s, in Carmel and had a great night off from the typical restaurant and hotel room. They are the funniest people I know! Lots of laughs and stories but then we had to leave them be because the girls had a big tournament the next morning in south Indianapolis.
Grandpa Pete Dye and I!
Monday, my mom and I drove 2 hours west to Decatur, IL. It is the original home of the Chicago Bears. That’s about all it is home to. The exit we took for Decatur had a big blue attraction sign that had absolutely nothing on it. Awesome. We get to spend an entire week here too!!! This week is the Tour Championship so it will be a four round tournament starting on Thursday morning. We were only allowed one practice round on Tuesday because they had three pro ams this week. As most people know, the weather has been crazy lately. At home, OKC got 11 inches in just a few hours. It must’ve travelled up to where I am because this is what we got last night:
They are going to make one par 5 a par 3 because it is completely underwater. The tee times have already been moved back an hour and a half and who knows what will actually happen tomorrow morning before the first group tees off.
My practice round group: Tara, Jane, and I....the ones who never use pull carts!
My first official day to ever use one of these!
Since we didn’t get a practice round today, Lucy and I had a nice long morning practice and then hit the tennis courts this afternoon. We played for a solid two hours so I can only imagine how sore I’m going to be in the morning.
Welp, time to get some rest! Hopefully we can play all 18, for all 4 days and without rain delays! I don’t think we would know how to play without rain! Hope everyone has a great weekend and is enjoying their summer. I realized today that I have been home for one full day in Oklahoma this whole month. I’m ready for some home cooked meals, my bed, and my dog! Next week! Gotta make some money before I go home though!
What I’m Listening to: Drake - Thank Me Later
What I’m Reading: I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
Major life changing news for me: My best friend Caitlan was hired this past week at Kempler Energy in South Beach Miami! I have a hard time seeing my best friend move across country but I'm so proud of her for graduating in 5 years with her undergrad in industrial engineering annnnd receiving her MBA. Another close friend, MJ Desbiens, was recently hired as Arkansas State's Head Womens Golf Coach! Another huge hire and I know she is going to take that team to the top. She has already moved to Jonesboro and I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. My weekly lunch buddy has left me so now I have to travel 7 hours one way to have a meal with her...I will do it! So proud of you MJ! And finally, another one of my best friends, Whitney, has started her first summer in PA School at the University of Oklahoma. She is going to be one of the best PA's ever but the next two and a half years are going to be brutal for her. Please keep these three girls in your prayers. They are doing great things in the world and I'm so thankful to have them in my life!
We drove 7 hours to St. Louis, spent the night, and drove 5 hours on to Cincinnati the next day. It was my first time to Cincy so I didn’t know how humid the weather could get. It was unbelievably HUMID! Memphis-like. My friend Lucy and I went to King’s Island Amusement Park Tuesday afternoon after my one-hour driving range session. We had an absolute blast riding all of the roller coasters and acting like little kids. I took my camera on almost every ride and found out at the end of the day that I was breaking a park rule by doing so, whoops!
Wednesday morning I was selected to play in the tournament’s pro am. I was paired up with a fun group and ended up shooting -12. We missed the prizes by 2 shots but I had a great time and met some cool guys. That night I had to go back up to the course for the Pro Party. We have one each week with the sponsors of the tournament. I won an iTunes gift card so I was a happy girl.
Thursday afternoon I had my one and only practice round with my usual group, Lucy Nunn, Kendra Hanson, and Jane Rah. Since Jane is higher up on the money list than the rest of us, I made her sign a contract that if she won she had to pay for all of our tickets back to King’s Island. She was tied for the lead after the first round but ended up getting 9th which is great for a 19 year old!
Friday was my first round of the Teva Championship in Mason, OH and I teed off at 1:30pm. I played alright and made some good putts but also missed two short ones and three putted a few too many times. I shot -1 and stood 5 shots off the lead. The next morning we had a four-hour rain delay that pushed my 12:20pm starting time to 4:25pm. I didn’t think there was any way we could get the round in but as we sprinted up the last par 3 and got our short knocker of the group to tee off on 18, we finished the last hole in the dark while the other girls had to come in due to the horn sounding off because of darkness. I was really thankful we didn’t have to get up and play one hole early Sunday morning. We leisurely got to the course the next morning to find out that I missed the cut by one shot. It was my second cut to miss and kind of heartbreaking to know that I played awful in the second round and only missed it by one. I could count on 2 hands the number of opportunities I had to make birdie or save par and I didn’t. I know every good player misses cuts and I just cannot let this get me down. It is one of many tournaments I play in and just because my swing is going through a lull, I’m going to work extremely hard to make sure that never happens again.
My mom and I decided to drive west and see some of my friends in Carmel, IN. But first, I went to Crooked Stick Golf Club to rate a top 100 golf course. I had no problem getting on and played a quick 18 with their first assistant professional. I warmed up next to Alice Dye giving a lesson to a member and then met famous golf course architect Pete Dye on the first tee box. Pretty neat because I always tell people he is my grandpa and he designs so many great golf courses. He was a pretty cute old man and it made my day! Little did I know that when I was on my second to last hole, I took my cart the wrong way and almost went right into a member’s tee shot. That member happened to be Peyton Manning. I wanted to go over there and get a picture with him but the assistant pro said that he is the one member that they shy away people from. Danget! At least I got to see him up close and personal though. I slow played the rest of the way around just in case he came back by the clubhouse. He never did but maybe one day I’ll get to really meet him. We had a home cooked dinner with my friends, the Savich’s, in Carmel and had a great night off from the typical restaurant and hotel room. They are the funniest people I know! Lots of laughs and stories but then we had to leave them be because the girls had a big tournament the next morning in south Indianapolis.
Grandpa Pete Dye and I!
Monday, my mom and I drove 2 hours west to Decatur, IL. It is the original home of the Chicago Bears. That’s about all it is home to. The exit we took for Decatur had a big blue attraction sign that had absolutely nothing on it. Awesome. We get to spend an entire week here too!!! This week is the Tour Championship so it will be a four round tournament starting on Thursday morning. We were only allowed one practice round on Tuesday because they had three pro ams this week. As most people know, the weather has been crazy lately. At home, OKC got 11 inches in just a few hours. It must’ve travelled up to where I am because this is what we got last night:
They are going to make one par 5 a par 3 because it is completely underwater. The tee times have already been moved back an hour and a half and who knows what will actually happen tomorrow morning before the first group tees off.
My practice round group: Tara, Jane, and I....the ones who never use pull carts!
My first official day to ever use one of these!
Since we didn’t get a practice round today, Lucy and I had a nice long morning practice and then hit the tennis courts this afternoon. We played for a solid two hours so I can only imagine how sore I’m going to be in the morning.
Welp, time to get some rest! Hopefully we can play all 18, for all 4 days and without rain delays! I don’t think we would know how to play without rain! Hope everyone has a great weekend and is enjoying their summer. I realized today that I have been home for one full day in Oklahoma this whole month. I’m ready for some home cooked meals, my bed, and my dog! Next week! Gotta make some money before I go home though!
What I’m Listening to: Drake - Thank Me Later
What I’m Reading: I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
Major life changing news for me: My best friend Caitlan was hired this past week at Kempler Energy in South Beach Miami! I have a hard time seeing my best friend move across country but I'm so proud of her for graduating in 5 years with her undergrad in industrial engineering annnnd receiving her MBA. Another close friend, MJ Desbiens, was recently hired as Arkansas State's Head Womens Golf Coach! Another huge hire and I know she is going to take that team to the top. She has already moved to Jonesboro and I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. My weekly lunch buddy has left me so now I have to travel 7 hours one way to have a meal with her...I will do it! So proud of you MJ! And finally, another one of my best friends, Whitney, has started her first summer in PA School at the University of Oklahoma. She is going to be one of the best PA's ever but the next two and a half years are going to be brutal for her. Please keep these three girls in your prayers. They are doing great things in the world and I'm so thankful to have them in my life!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Colorado Mountains
Team Dye
Well the week in Denver has come to an end but it has been a memorable one to say the least. The family flew up with me on Tuesday morning to Denver for the Colorado Women’s Open. It is a women’s professional event but includes a simultaneous pro am like the PGA’s AT&T Pro Am tournament. I took my brother Adam as my partner this year, knowing we could tear it up. I, however, didn’t carry my weight the first two days…
I shot 74 in the first round with only one birdie. It was a matter of not hitting as many greens as I should have and not making any birdie putts that I normally drop. I was sitting two strokes ahead of the cut, looking to move on up during round two. …My golf game had other plans. I started off the day with a tee shot that hit the cart path and missing the hazard by 2 inches. Whew! I finally caught a break. However, on the 2nd hole I went on to double from 131 yards out in the middle of the fairway. Got one back by getting on a par 5 green in two shots and two putting for birdie. A few holes later I doubled from 107 yards out in the middle of the fairway. Not cool! The 16th hole, my approach shot didn’t make it over the tree and came straight down. I had an awkward 60-yard pitch that I pushed out to the right and hit the same tree and flew into the hazard. I dropped, hit it over the green and proceeded to get that up and down for a beautiful triple. The following two holes I went on to three putt. 9 over, 45. I had my back against the wall at this point.
I can go to some pretty dark places in my head and I’d like to think I can do this but eventually bring myself out of it. When we were walking down #1, our tenth hole of the day, my mom asked if I was awake. Yep, pretty sure those doubles and triple were a cold splash of water right in my face. I was definitely awake but wishing I was in a nightmare to wake up and realize I didn’t just shoot a freakin’ 45! I put myself in deep holes all the time, holes that I can slowly crawl myself out of. Well this, was a dang mine! 9 over on top of the 2 over I shot the day before…I was looking to be in contention on the final day but now I’m thinking I’m missing the cut by a mile and hopefully making the cut for the pro am team competition. I find every green on the second nine and one birdie to finish 45-35. Now that 35 looks awesome but let me tell you, I missed a 2 foot putt on my 17th hole and my chip on the 9th, my eighteenth of the day lipped out and went six feet by, where I proceeded to two putt for par. The 35 was not that pretty.
So here I am, shooting 74-80, on a course that I tore up last year and a course that I should tear up every time I play it but I kept my spirits up because I knew there would be another day with the pro am competition.
We went back to the hotel, showered, and headed over to Boulder so Adam and my sister-in-law Jennifer, could see Pearl Street and all the weirdos that it contains. Us girls went to a lot of different stores while the boys sat outside and people watched. We saw some straaanngge people! There were great photo ops everywhere! We found a yummy Mexican place to eat called The Rio (I believe?) I don’t drink often and especially not lately so since the day sucked so bad I needed a frozen strawberry margarita to make my insides feel a little better. Turns out I had two to make myself feel on top of the world. Two is the limit at this restaurant. We had a fabulous time eating along the street, cracking jokes and speaking inappropriately. By the time dinner was over, I found out that I had made the cut on the number! There lived to be another day!
We drove back to our hotel and I passed out til morning. Best sleep I have had in a long time. Woke up feeling like I had been given a second chance to get myself back into gear. My dad wanted to caddy for me once again but I told him no for the third straight day. I just knew that if I had my bag with me, I couldn’t blame anything on anyone except myself. So he went on to push Adam’s pull cart…something my dad is very good at doing. That and cleaning our dirty balls. Ha!
My dad "caddying." Note us getting ready for the next hole in the background. God love em! :)
I started off the day by sticking an 8 iron to 6 feet. I over read the putt and missed it. Screw it, move on and try again. I stuck my next approach to four feet. MADE IT! Alright, things are feeling back to normal. The next was a par 5 where I put my approach in a bunker about 60 yards away. I stuck a gap wedge shot out of there to 6 feet. Draino! It was raining on the greens we were on. The 14th tee was moved up so I busted driver just to get the ball somewhere around the green. I was 20 yards out and made the chip for eagle! Holy moly, 4 under thru 5 holes. This was getting kind of fun. I block my next tee shot and put it in a nasty fairway bunker looking at a pretty difficult pin up ahead. I somehow manage to put that shot to 12 feet away. My triple hole from the previous day, number 16 was next and I missed the green. I had an easy chip that I somehow managed to thin 20 feet too far. I made the come back putt for par. I stuck the next par 3 tee shot to 6 feet that I went on to par. And finally the 18th, our 9th of the day, I put to 12 feet that fell in for birdie. 5 under, 31, on that side. Less than 24 hours prior I shot 45 on those 9 holes. Who does that? I still don’t believe I shot a 45.
My near hole-in-one
I knew I still had a lot more golf to play and I had to keep digging out of that 10 over par hole I put myself in. 5 more birdies was the goal. I had plenty of opportunities, hitting every single green and hitting every single fairway. I found only one birdie on the second nine and that was on #5, par 3 that was 154 yards. I hit a 9 iron and saw it bounce in front of the hole, tap the pin and finish 5 inches from the cup. I was so disappointed. How could that thing not go in?! I had a tap in birdie and pared the rest of the way in. 66, -6, +4 overall. I moved from T44th to T12th. Not awful but man the whatifs! I like that I graced my presence in each category. I saw the 70s, 80s, and 60s all in a matter of three consecutive rounds. Team Dye shot 64 today, 68 on round one and 66 yesterday, -18 which got us 6th in the pro am competition. Adam was able to get two brand new Vokey wedges with his golf shop money so he was a happy boy. I wish I could’ve helped more in the first two rounds but I was glad to play well in front of him and show him that I’m not wasting my time playing professionally. I think he believes I can do it, but it’s nice to show the brother I can score well. I made a decent check of $2200, which will be nice to put back into the golf account and hopefully see a few more bigger checks in the coming weeks.
We are currently flying back to OKC for one full day then heading northeast in the car to Mason, OH. I am thinking we will stop in St. Louis Sunday night to check out my friend Sammy B’s new town and then head on to Ohio Monday morning. I am thinking about playing and rating Canyata Club in Cincinnati since it’s a top 100 course. There is also King’s Island Amusement Park which I’ll be finding some free time to visit. I’ll play in the Futures event in Ohio Friday, June 11-13 then drive over to Decatur, IL to play in another Futures event June 17-20. I’m thinking about rating a course called Camargo Golf Club in Illiniois that is another top 100 course and a must-see! Mama Dye and I will be driving home on Father’s Day and will stay home for one full week before I head out for another three weeks.
I’m so tired and can’t wait to see my puppy dog and get into my own bed! We had a great week full of laughter and memories and I’m so glad the entire family got to go with me. Hopefully it won’t be the last. Until next time…
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
One Sweet Scenario
Check out this sweet scenario:
My family (mom, dad, brother, and sister-in-law) flew up to Denver this morning with me and it's the first time we are all together at a professional golf event. What's even better is that I'm getting to play in a professional golf tournament with my brother as my partner!!! How many professional athletes get to say that they've played in a professional competition with their sibling as their teammate? Not many. I'm blessed!
My brother is one of the main reasons why I even play this game. He is and has always been the much better golfer and someone I strive to beat every time we tee it up. Golf is one of our best talents and you can truly say that it is God-given. Some of our family members play(ed) golf and love the game but the both of us have worked hard to get to the level of play we are at. Adam has never seen me play in a professional tournament so this is a special week for all of us. It would be great for us to come away with the cardboard check Friday. Friday's results are already destined so all we can do is give it our all and have fun!
We are playing in the Colorado Women's Open in Denver, CO at Green Valley Ranch. We had our first and only practice round this morning with my college teammates Kelly Jacques and Ellen Mueller. My dad walked around with us trying to find wildlife...his favorite thing to do. He got me excited because he said there was a bobcat and I quietly walked down the cart path to see a dang calico cat going through the weeds. He got sleepy and kept losing us when he fell asleep on tee box benches. We could never keep track of him. Adam and I are lugging our bags around this tournament so we were worn out after the round. We had a nice, senior citizen (5:00pm) mexican dinner and were back at the hotel at a early time tonight.
Hopefully this year's results will be one place better!
Adam and I tee off at 12:20pm tomorrow for the first round and play with one other girl. Hopefully she won't feel like the third wheel in our group. They have the course set up for 6,325 yards so with the elevation as it is, we should have some good opportunities at birdie. I've been putting on greens that have been rolling about a 7 and these greens in Denver are creeping up to 12 on the Stimpmeter. We better be aware of where we are! I'm hitting the ball so dang far up here so that's another thing I have to be aware of. I'm planning on hitting a lot of fairway woods and hybrids off the tee this week. Last year I was a little more aggressive but ended up getting 2nd individually and 2nd as a pro-am team which seemed to work out alright. I feel like I've gotten a lot better since last year's Open and a lot more wiser and feel that I can score even better this year. I'm really excited and know that if I enjoy my time out on the course, good golf will come. Hope everyone has a great first week of June! Crazy how fast the time flies!!!
They might have live scoring found here: Live Scoring
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Day Trip to Kansas
The country’s most great golf courses begin with the letter P: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pine Valley Golf Club, Pacific Dunes, Prairie Dunes Country Club, and Pinehurst Country Club No. 2 just to name a few. -Alex Brown
I’ve been blessed with another opportunity this year by becoming a Golf Digest Panelist. My job is to travel around playing and rating the country and state’s best golf courses. I’m lucky enough to play in golf tournaments around the nation but on days I want to get away from the tournament site and see a new venue, I’m able to call up an extremely famous and nice course to play and rate it. It’s many people’s dream come true.
The courses that are considered on or near the list want Panelists to come rate their course so that they may have the chance to be on the Top 100 Greatest Courses in the Golf Digest Magazine. The Panelists do not receive payment by the Magazine but it usually results in free or reduced green fees. Not a bad gig!
I’m pretty goal-oriented and have always said that I want to play golf in all 50 states. I’ve now added another goal to the list. I want to play every single Top 100 Greatest Courses. However, that goal is a moving target. The list comes out every two years and some of those courses can fall out of the Top 100 and some can jump up into the list. However, the more great golf courses you play, that moving target gets smaller and smaller. As of today, I have played 5 of the Top 100 Greatest Courses but I’m in my first two months of business. I’m a rookie! I have some tournaments coming up that are in states and areas of the country that I’ve never been. I’m excited to venture out and come away with some wonderful stories and photos!
I had a whirlwind trip yesterday, May 28, with three older men up to Kansas. I met Alex Brown and Freddie Moore at 6:00am in Edmond and headed north for a two-hour drive to Wichita/Andover, KS. We found ourselves teeing off at Flint Hills National Golf Club at 8:30am joined with Coach Mark Cline. Mark drove 14 hours from West Virginia in order to accompany us for this fun Friday journey!
Tom Fazio built Flint Hills National Golf Club in 1997. Fazio’s designs are some of my favorites: Karsten Creek in Stillwater, OK, Caves Valley in Owings Mills, MD, The Madison Club in La Quinta, and Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA. When you play Karsten Creek, you don’t feel like you’re in Stillwater. When you play Flint Hills, you don’t feel like you are in Andover, Ks. You feel like you are far away playing in a beautiful area such as Baltimore where Caves Valley is near. Tom Fazio makes gorgeous courses but they do favor one another. He built very demanding golf courses yet the smart, straight player will be able to score. Flint Hills’ rough was ROUGH but the zoysia fairways were absolutely perfect and the greens rolled very nicely. I lost four golf balls but shot a 78 from the back tees. It doesn’t look like a good score but I can’t wait to go back again now that I was punched in the mouth by it the first time. I’m awake and ready to go score low on it! Every hole had white poles at the beginning of every fairway and down near the green. It was an in and out for the carts to go through so that the grass won’t get worn out by the riders. I loved that idea! Here are a few pictures of Flint Hills on Friday:
Flint Hills Par 4 #2
Flint Hills Par 3 #10
Flint Hills Par 3 #17
Once we finished out on the 18th hole, the GM (who happens to be a big OU fan) had turkey sandwiches waiting on us so that we could get on the road and make it to our next tee time at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, KS. I was so thankful because I didn’t know if these crazy guys even ate on their extreme expeditions but food comes first before golf with me. A girl has got to eat! The weather was calm but very hot and humid so we were downing the Gatorades and water. I’d take heat over wind any day, especially on those two courses!
We sped a tad and made it with 15 minutes to spare. Perry Maxwell designed this course and was extremely creative by using the natural land it gave him. He adopted Donald Ross’ idea of the upside down bowl greens and placed the greens into the side wall of the sand dunes that were already there. On a few holes, you would have to take the clubs needed to finish the hole as well as clubs to tee off on the next hole before you made it back to your cart. A lot of the tee boxes were built on the top of the sand dunes, which added to the pleasure of the round. I never thought I would see gorgeous views in Kansas but check it out:
Prairie Dunes Par 3 #4
Prairie Dunes Par 4 #5
Prairie Dunes Par 5 #9
Prairie Dunes Par 4 #12
Alex told us on the tee that the green had two hippopotamuses and Dumbo's little sister buried under it.
This is the green...
Prairie Dunes Par 3 #15
We finished in four hours and headed back south for Oklahoma. I rode back with Freddie and had a little excitement as we left the parking lot at Prairie Dunes. We had no gas! And when I say we had no gas, WE HAD NO GAS! I’ve never seen a running car with as little gasoline in the tank as I saw yesterday. Thankfully we came across a gas station as the last second. Grabbed some more Gatorade and beef jerky and made it back to Edmond in four hours.
Our gas tank in the middle of nowhere...and the car was running!
I know how blessed I am to be able to make trips like this but it’s because of the people I have met along the way in this sport and also with my time at OU. It opened many doors for me. I’m going to try my hardest to play some amazing courses while I’m out traveling this summer in places and states that I’ve never been. Fishers Island is one of the courses I'm dying to play. It's on it's own island in New York where you can only get to it by boat or helicopter. It's $100 boat ride and an all day trip but well worth the time. I'm caddying for my friend Lucy in the US Womens Open at Oakmont Country Club so I'm going to stay one extra day and play it to knock it off the list. It's going to be a fun adventure and one I hope to accomplish in years to come!
I’ve been blessed with another opportunity this year by becoming a Golf Digest Panelist. My job is to travel around playing and rating the country and state’s best golf courses. I’m lucky enough to play in golf tournaments around the nation but on days I want to get away from the tournament site and see a new venue, I’m able to call up an extremely famous and nice course to play and rate it. It’s many people’s dream come true.
The courses that are considered on or near the list want Panelists to come rate their course so that they may have the chance to be on the Top 100 Greatest Courses in the Golf Digest Magazine. The Panelists do not receive payment by the Magazine but it usually results in free or reduced green fees. Not a bad gig!
I’m pretty goal-oriented and have always said that I want to play golf in all 50 states. I’ve now added another goal to the list. I want to play every single Top 100 Greatest Courses. However, that goal is a moving target. The list comes out every two years and some of those courses can fall out of the Top 100 and some can jump up into the list. However, the more great golf courses you play, that moving target gets smaller and smaller. As of today, I have played 5 of the Top 100 Greatest Courses but I’m in my first two months of business. I’m a rookie! I have some tournaments coming up that are in states and areas of the country that I’ve never been. I’m excited to venture out and come away with some wonderful stories and photos!
I had a whirlwind trip yesterday, May 28, with three older men up to Kansas. I met Alex Brown and Freddie Moore at 6:00am in Edmond and headed north for a two-hour drive to Wichita/Andover, KS. We found ourselves teeing off at Flint Hills National Golf Club at 8:30am joined with Coach Mark Cline. Mark drove 14 hours from West Virginia in order to accompany us for this fun Friday journey!
Tom Fazio built Flint Hills National Golf Club in 1997. Fazio’s designs are some of my favorites: Karsten Creek in Stillwater, OK, Caves Valley in Owings Mills, MD, The Madison Club in La Quinta, and Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA. When you play Karsten Creek, you don’t feel like you’re in Stillwater. When you play Flint Hills, you don’t feel like you are in Andover, Ks. You feel like you are far away playing in a beautiful area such as Baltimore where Caves Valley is near. Tom Fazio makes gorgeous courses but they do favor one another. He built very demanding golf courses yet the smart, straight player will be able to score. Flint Hills’ rough was ROUGH but the zoysia fairways were absolutely perfect and the greens rolled very nicely. I lost four golf balls but shot a 78 from the back tees. It doesn’t look like a good score but I can’t wait to go back again now that I was punched in the mouth by it the first time. I’m awake and ready to go score low on it! Every hole had white poles at the beginning of every fairway and down near the green. It was an in and out for the carts to go through so that the grass won’t get worn out by the riders. I loved that idea! Here are a few pictures of Flint Hills on Friday:
Flint Hills Par 4 #2
Flint Hills Par 3 #10
Flint Hills Par 3 #17
Once we finished out on the 18th hole, the GM (who happens to be a big OU fan) had turkey sandwiches waiting on us so that we could get on the road and make it to our next tee time at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, KS. I was so thankful because I didn’t know if these crazy guys even ate on their extreme expeditions but food comes first before golf with me. A girl has got to eat! The weather was calm but very hot and humid so we were downing the Gatorades and water. I’d take heat over wind any day, especially on those two courses!
We sped a tad and made it with 15 minutes to spare. Perry Maxwell designed this course and was extremely creative by using the natural land it gave him. He adopted Donald Ross’ idea of the upside down bowl greens and placed the greens into the side wall of the sand dunes that were already there. On a few holes, you would have to take the clubs needed to finish the hole as well as clubs to tee off on the next hole before you made it back to your cart. A lot of the tee boxes were built on the top of the sand dunes, which added to the pleasure of the round. I never thought I would see gorgeous views in Kansas but check it out:
Prairie Dunes Par 3 #4
Prairie Dunes Par 4 #5
Prairie Dunes Par 5 #9
Prairie Dunes Par 4 #12
Alex told us on the tee that the green had two hippopotamuses and Dumbo's little sister buried under it.
This is the green...
Prairie Dunes Par 3 #15
We finished in four hours and headed back south for Oklahoma. I rode back with Freddie and had a little excitement as we left the parking lot at Prairie Dunes. We had no gas! And when I say we had no gas, WE HAD NO GAS! I’ve never seen a running car with as little gasoline in the tank as I saw yesterday. Thankfully we came across a gas station as the last second. Grabbed some more Gatorade and beef jerky and made it back to Edmond in four hours.
Our gas tank in the middle of nowhere...and the car was running!
I know how blessed I am to be able to make trips like this but it’s because of the people I have met along the way in this sport and also with my time at OU. It opened many doors for me. I’m going to try my hardest to play some amazing courses while I’m out traveling this summer in places and states that I’ve never been. Fishers Island is one of the courses I'm dying to play. It's on it's own island in New York where you can only get to it by boat or helicopter. It's $100 boat ride and an all day trip but well worth the time. I'm caddying for my friend Lucy in the US Womens Open at Oakmont Country Club so I'm going to stay one extra day and play it to knock it off the list. It's going to be a fun adventure and one I hope to accomplish in years to come!
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