NGA Hooters Winter Series Tour Event #1

Harmony GC played long at around 7,400 yards.  I will remain optimistic based on much more consistent play on a tougher golf course than the last two Nationwide Tour Qualifiers and Moonlight event. 

Even though my group fell out of position during the second round, we were able to improve our position and played in four hours and 16 minutes, which is decent for tournament golf.  I'm known as one of the most deliberate players on the mini tours; however, I know the value of hitting quality golf shots in a timely fashion.  The head rules official for the tournament timed me during the four to five hole stretch that we were put on the clock, and I was able to average around 25-30 seconds per shot.  I am trying to speed up the process out of respect for the other players and to play better golf. 

After beginning the first round well with birdies on the par four second hole and par three third hole, I started thinking about how I could really take advantage of the relatively ineffective wind.  We played in a sprinkling rain throughout the front nine holes; I seem to play better during tougher situations.  Unfortunately, a couple back to back bogeys ensued on holes six and seven after a great up and down for par on the tough par four fourth hole from behind the green on a back pin.  The 625 yard fifth hole was obviously not reachable in two for me this week, but I was happy to be hitting the ball a little more crisp off the tee than the last three tournaments.  In a matter such as driving distance, I refuse to compare myself to my younger competitors.  For instance, both of my playing partners were taller and younger than me.  In comparison to them, I feel like the golf course played well for their length off the tee.  I'm a precision player, and Harmony Golf Course is a bombers paradise.  I knew this going into the tournament, yet I still wanted to start the season off fresh with a tough test hoping I could keep it together for 54 holes.  Well into the first round, I made an untimely double bogey after narrowly escaping two nearly unplayable lies on the long 565 yard par five number 14.  I did not let the poor hole get me down and continued on with pars on 15 and the 548 yard par five number 16.  After hitting too much club on the par three number 17, I was unable to save par from 14 feet.  The last hole at Harmony played very long as the rain soaked the fairways and made it longer than the 466 yard tip yardage.  I made par there to finish the first round at a disappointing three over par 75 after such a great start to the day in the rain.

During the practice round on monday, the rules officials mark the greens with dots to identify the pin locations for the next three days.  Either the rules official miscommunicated the order to me or I misunderstood him, so I studied the incorrect pin locations for day two the night before.  Needless to say, I was prepared for round three during round two. In golf, one must truly learn to rely on oneself only.  

Day two initially began with a poor decision off the par four number 11 tee box.  I decided to bite off more than I could chew and hit into the right fairway bunker on the 448 dogleg right.  I had to take my medicine by covering the lip of the bunker and wasn't able to go for the green with the eight-iron.  My third shot landed behind the sloping pin, so I mishit the first putt and knocked it eight feet past the hole.  My first three putt of the tournament left a poor taste in my mouth to begin a dismal round two.  I made some decent pars on the back nine that included a great par save on the 548 yard par five number 16 after hitting my tee shot in the environmentally sensitive area, or lateral hazard.  I bogied the par 3 number 17 hole again after a untimely three putt after hitting my Bridgestone B-330 S ball to 14 feet for birdie.  I made the turn at three over par and decided to press as best as I could to "save face" on the back nine.  Unfortunately, I made back to back bogeys on the tough dogleg left across the water number four hole and 625 par five fifth hole.  Another penalty shot ensued after a mishit three wood on the par five into the right water hazard.  I was happy to be able to make a birdie on my final hole of the tournament after hitting a four-iron into the 453 yard par four number nine hole to 12 feet.   

After the round, I steadied my hands with the putter by using the "Rail" and various tee drills on the Harmony practice green.  The rules official told me that my speed was ok and that it was an improvement from previous seasons.  I've noticed that the tour has become darker spiritually and I do realize that the light of Jesus will meet opposition in a realm of money and success like the golf industry.  However, I'm blessed to be playing somewhat full time again and I'm also happy to be playing with a greater sense of purpose than ever before.  I thought being a husband was great; being a father is extremely fulfilling as well.  I hope my wife and son will be able to at least come to one tournament very soon.  Thank you for keeping up with my career; I'm looking forward to playing the shorter golf course next week at Forest Lake GC in Ocoee, FL.  My parents are coming down for the first time from Ohio to see my son.  My father is planning on coming with me to my Monday practice round in Ocoee.  What a treat!