Monday Qualifier

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay!  Unfortunately, yesterday didn't go as well as planned so I had to hop in my car and drive back last night.  With a 1:00 tee time, I didn't get home till almost  10:00 last night!

Anyway, about yesterday's round.  It started off strong, I think I was just so focused on certain issues (mainly those five REALLY tough, long holes) that I didn't focus enough on the "easier" holes.  Or, rather, I didn't focus on each hole as I came to it....I caught myself thinking about the outcome (score) or the other "hard" holes I still had left. 

I ended up carding an 81 with a triple and a double...NOT good.  However, those two holes were the bulk of my strokes, so I actually did not play that bad for the majority of the day.  I made great up and downs on those "hard" holes, and actually got through three of the five with pars!  Unfortunately, my focus just got a little lop-sided and I had a mental hiccup.  After the triple bogey, I let it get to me...and although I came back with a great par on the next hole, I let those residual thoughts linger just enough to compound into a double bogey on the hole after that par.

So...what positive can come out of this?  Well, although I was nervous and worried about the length being my ultimate challenge, it was not the length of the course that got me!  My mental mistakes were what ultimately ruined my round...and those are things I can learn from and get better at in the next event!  Length could have helped, but it was NOT the problem yesterday.  That's my positive for the experience.

I'm obviously back at home for the week, and will leave next Sunday for another Suncoast event in Florida!  I'll keep you updated!  Have a great week! 

Mobile - LPGA Classic Monday Qualifier

Hi everyone, and Happy Easter!  I'm in Mobile this weekend for the Monday qualifier for this week's LPGA tournament at the Robert Trent Jones course, Magnolia Grove.  First, let me say how wonderful it was to have an entire week at home!  After three weeks in a row, it was so nice to sleep in my own bed, spend time with my friends and family, and get some good practice in at Farmlinks.  Also, thank you so much for all your encouragement and kind words while I was at home!

I got to Mobile Saturday afternoon, jumped out of the car and onto the course!  I was a little shell shocked to be honest because the course sets up pretty hard for a short knocker like me.  There are five holes that play particularly long and tough for me.  The classic RTJ undulations don't help.  SO...this will be a good challenge for my golf game and my mental game as well.  With that being said, it is so exciting to just be in the qualifier and to practice here while everything is getting ready for a big LPGA event!  It's fun to play with grandstands and TV towers being constructed around you.  I'm also excited to have a tour caddie for this event!  It'll be nice to have an extra pair of eyes to read my putts!  All in all, I'm a little nervous (of course...not gonna lie) and a LOT excited!

I tee off tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 off #1.  I'm not sure how many players are in the qualifier, but the top two move on to the tournament which will begin Thursday.  I'd appreciate any thoughts and prayers you could throw my way!  Hope everyone has had a fantastic Easter weekend!

He is Risen!

Third Round - Apopka

Overall, I played well, but today's round had a strange quirk in it to say the least!  I started out the day very strong, making two birdies in the first four holes.  I continued the front side at two under until #9.  It is a par 5 with a tree in the middle of the fairway.  My drive leaked right and ended up in the center of the fairway...directly behind the tree...and I was forced to punch under the branches to the 150 marker.  I made a great shot into the green, but it ended up just over the green.  I was left with a simple chip that I had practiced a thousand times.  I hit the shot...and then for a brief, strange second, my ball and clubhead collided in mid-air.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that again if I tried.  Anyways, this unlucky fluke resulted in a two shot swing, giving me a double bogey!  I was proud of my rebound, though.  I knocked it to three feet to make birdie on #10!  

I remained at one under through the majority of the back nine, but #17 (that long par 3) got me today.  I mis hit my wood, and ended up with a 60 footer.  I three putted for bogey.  I made a par on #18, ending both the day and the tournament at even par!  That score was good enough to move me up two spots to finish sixth place in the tournament.  

Thanks again for all of your good luck wishes, thoughts, and prayers this week!  As always, they are truly appreciated!!!  I am happy to have a week off, and excited to have a nice break to prepare for my next event!  I'll be playing in the Monday qualifier for the LPGA event at the Robert Trent Jones course in Mobile, AL at the end of April.  

I'll be sure to keep you updated, but until then, have a great week!

Round Two - Apopka

Well, today I want to complain...but I can't!  I ended up carding a two under, 70 to leave me at even par for the tournament!  I'm currently nine behind the leader and sitting at eighth place overall.

I started out the day strong, hitting every green on the front side and leaving myself with excellent opportunities for birdie.  I stayed committed to my game plan, and focused on my process especially with the putter, but the putts just didn't fall.  I did make a much better putt at the hole, though.  I made the turn at even par and bogey free.  My first birdie finally came at #11!  I got into a little trouble on #13 and #14, missing my first greens of the day, but managed to make great saves for par.  Another putt fell for birdie on #16, and I found myself sitting at two under with two holes to play.  #17 is that tough par 3 I was telling you about yesterday, but luckily the wind was calm and the pin wasn't in the back today.  I hit a great wood, but it drifted left and took a big hop off the green.  I made a great pitch shot and sunk a downhill 6 footer to save par!  I finished #18 with a two putt for par to keep me at two under for the day.  I realized afterwards that I played a bogey free round!  So...now you understand, I wish some of those great looks at birdie had fallen, but I can't complain about a bogey free round!  Hopefully, tomorrow I can keep giving myself those opportunities and a few more will fall!!!

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement!  I'll tee off #1 tomorrow morning at 8:38!

Round One - Apopka

I played well today, but struggled with my putting a little.  I ended up carding a two over, 74 to put me into a tie for 10th overall.

I got off to a rough start with a drive that found a fairway bunker.  The next couple of shots weren't pretty, and I tapped in for a bogey.  I did hit a great shot on #3 to leave me with a seven footer for birdie...and made it!  That would not be the last opportunity of the day, but unfortunately, it was the last birdie to fall.  I didn't hit it as close as I'd like, but I gave myself enough legitimate opportunities that could have resulted in a nice score.  I had several unlucky putts that just burned the lip and didn't go in.  From there, I got a little frustrated and I think I got too focused on "going low."  I forgot to focus on my process during those putts.

On the positive, I did finish really strong with solid saves for par on the last three holes.  I had to make some clutch putts coming in, and I really had to keep repeating to myself "process" to get the swarming thoughts about my score out of the way....and what do you know...those putts went in!   Also, #17 is a tough 185 yard par three.  Today, it was straight into the wind with a pin ALL the way in the back...which makes it even tougher for a short knocker like me!  I stood on the tee with a 3 wood and a driver in hand, secretly afraid the 3 wood wouldn't make it but slightly embarrassed to be hitting a driver off a par three.  When it was my turn to hit, I knew that I felt more comfortable to hit an easy driver than try to crush a 3 wood...so I teed it up!  Embarrassed or not, I chose the driver, hit the green, and ended up being the only one in the group to par the hole!  Haha!  So that was a welcomed confidence booster!

After lunch, I went back out to the course and got in some good putting practice.  I made an effort to ingrain the idea of focusing on my process and went through my complete routine for every putt as if I was out on the course.  I worked on my speed, and practiced some chip shots too.  I feel better about tomorrow's round, and look forward to playing again!  I'll tee off at 8:09 tomorrow morning.

Have a great night!

Apopka, FL

I'm back in Florida this week for another Suncoast event!  The tournament is at Rock Springs Ridge Golf Course in Apopka, FL.  I played my practice round this morning at 8:30, and was able to have a nice, long look at the course.  The fairways are not in the best condition, but the lay out is fun and the course isn't playing terribly long.  The greens may not be in as good of shape as the last two courses, but they roll well and they are a bit faster (and less grainy) than the last course.  I think that overall, the course conditions may not be ideal, but there are lots fun holes and opportunities out there!

My goal this week is to keep that process and target focused mindset that I was able to capture last week.  I'm just going to hit as many fairways and greens as I possibly can, and trust my preparation and process!  After my practice round this morning I was able to get in a good, solid practice session.  I worked a lot on the speed of the greens, and went through the rest of my putting drills.  I practiced different chip shots that I encountered during my round this morning, and finished off the afternoon with some drills on the range.

I'm ready to play, and excited about tomorrow's round!  I'll be teeing off #1 at 8:47 tomorrow morning.  Thanks again for your continued interest and support!  I appreciate all your kind words, thoughts, and prayers!!!!

Final Round!

I ended the day with a birdie/bogey combination on the last two holes, but carded another even par, 72 round today!  That was good enough to earn me second place!

I played better today than yesterday.  I hit a lot of greens, and gave myself a lot of good looks at birdie.  However, I just had one of those days where the putts wouldn't fall.  At first, I wasn't making good strokes and I'll attribute that to my nerves.  I have to admit I was a little nervous for the first couple of holes.  This was my first time playing in the last group as a professional, BUT I acknowledged the nerves, and made it through them even par.  I finally settled down, and started making better strokes, but the birdies just wouldn't fall.   Hang on the edge, burn the lip, broke opposite of my read...you name it, they did it!  On the positive, I did hit a lot of greens and at least gave myself chances.  Also, I chipped much better today, leaving myself inside of 6' to save par just about every time...and I DID make those, so that is always a great confidence builder!  On the back a couple of putts began to fall, starting with a 15 footer to save par on #12.  I didn't hit the best drive on #17, leaving myself with a hybrid into the green.  Thankfully, I hit a solid shot into the green and it rolled to about 9 feet for birdie...and that putt decided to fall!  I was VERY happy to come into #18 with a birdie under my belt since it played SO long for me.  Long story short, I didn't get up and down to end with a bogey.  BUT, finishing the round at even par, and the tournament at three under earned me second place all by myself!

I am thrilled and proud of my play this week!  I am so thankful that everything came together for the entire week, and I was able to harness my mental energy and work it in a positive direction during my rounds.  I can't begin to tell you all how thankful I am for your interest, encouraging comments, and prayers!  They were GREATLY appreciated this week and always!

I'll be back on the road next week for another Suncoast event, so until then, have a great weekend!

Round Two!

Today's round went well, and I ended up carding an even par 72!

The weather was absolutely beautiful with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s.  However, the wind was a little brutal!  There was a consistently strong wind with an occasional gust that made you question your club selection, haha.  It definitely helped on some longer holes, but then made some shorter holes a little longer.  I started out #1 making an 18' putt for a great par save and birdied #3.  I didn't hit as many greens, but managed some great saves.  I made the turn at one under, and bogey free!  The back side seems to be the tougher of the two for me, and it was nice to have a little cushion going into it.  My first bogey of the day came on #12.  There was a stiff wind that would come and go, and so I clubbed up on my second shot.  Unfortunately, it rolled off the back and into a bunker!  I managed to birdie the next par 5, but then had some poorly executed chip shots that resulted in back to back bogies.  My approach shot on #17 was into another stiff wind, and I clubbed up but it still came up short of the green.  I came dangerously close to getting down on myself since I was one over going into the last two holes (which are both tough finishing holes) and I didn't have a legitimate birdie chance....BUT, I returned to my game plan:  target, process...and a quick prayer...and CHIPPED IN for birdie to put me back at even par!!!!!!!  It was a little divine intervention, but I'm happy to take it!  The last hole (#18) was already a 400 yard par 4, but was playing even longer with that strong wind in our face today.  I hit two solid shots and ended up 30 yards from the pin.  I hit a pretty good pitch shot to 9', and made a great putt to save par!

I was able to get some good short game work in afterwards, and had some time later this afternoon to visit Downtown Disney!  Again, I'm proud of the way I played the course and stayed focused on my target and my process.  I am very thankful that we had such wonderful weather, and that today's score allowed me to remain tied for second place.  I'll be teeing off at 11:46 tomorrow, and once again, THANK YOU for all of your encouragement, thoughts, and prayers!!!

Have a great night!

Rainy Start

I'm not quite sure where to begin with this post, except to say that the Lord is kind!

This morning, a huge storm came through the Orlando area, causing our tee times to get delayed by two hours.  Instead of teeing off at 11:36, I teed off at 1:50.  Thankfully, although the course was pretty wet, the rain had stopped by the time I arrived to warm up.  A couple hours later I was completely out of my rain suit, and the sun peaked through by the end of the round.  

On top of the wonderful change in weather, I ended up carding a three under 69 today!!!  It was a great round.  I hit the ball well, and kept my head on straight.  I was VERY thankful because a couple of times my nerves came around...mainly at the beginning and end of the round...but I acknowledged their existence and stayed focused on the process!  I had six birdies and three bogies, and made some great saves today as well.  I knew how I wanted to play every hole, stuck to my game plan, and that helped me to stay in the present and focus on the process.  I am also very happy to report that I finished strong, making great chips and putts on the last two holes to stay at three under!  I was able to get in some good practice afterwards, and am exited about tomorrow's round.

I am so very thankful that the Lord brought about a fairly nice afternoon from what was such a dismal morning, and I am so very thankful He allowed all my hard work to come together today as well.  It is encouraging to experience a round like today, because not only does it flesh out the benefit of all your hard work and practice, but it reminds me that under par is completely "do-able."  As for where I stand compared to the rest of the field, I'm currently three strokes back and tied for second place. 

Thank you for all of your good luck wishes and prayers!  I am so very grateful!  I tee off tomorrow morning at 10:49!

Hello Mickey!

I'm back in Flordia...again...but this time I'm just a few miles away from Mickey Mouse!  I'm playing at Falcon's Fire Golf Course in Kissimmee.  My practice round was at 8:00 this morning, giving me the evening to explore a little bit.  The course is nice, but the greens are more grainy and slow than last week's course.  These greens putt more like typical bermuda, and can be a bit hairy.  So, needless to say, I spent A LOT of time putting this afternoon.  Overall, I feel that I got a good practice under my belt today.  I got a good look at the course, and had plenty of time afterwards to work on my swing and short game.

Late this afternoon I decided to explore my surroundings, and found that I am only about a fifteen minute drive away from Disney World!  I roamed around Downtown Disney for a while and saw a movie.  It was nice to visit one of my favorite places and have a relaxing, fun night!

As for the tournament, it will begin tomorrow (Tuesday).  I'm teeing off number one at 11:36 tomorrow, and 10:49 on Wednesday.  I'll keep you updated, and would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers!!!

Have a great night!

A Little Delayed

I'm so sorry for my delayed post, but unfortunately Florida was hit with severe weather starting Wednesday afternoon and lasted through the entire day Thursday which knocked out my hotel's internet service!  I was in the first group out on Wednesday morning, and I was SO glad because we finished with about an hour until the first wave of massive storms hit.

Wednesday's round was all in all, much better than the first day!  I started off with a chip that literally hung on the lip for birdie.  I was happy with my tap in par, though.  And this strange happening occurred AGAIN on the very next hole!  The second hole is a par three, about 170 yards uphill with bunkers on both sides.  I hit a great shot, but it took an unlucky hop from the edge of the green into the left bunker.  My sand shot came out high, landed and rolled straight for the cup....and needed one more revolution to go in for birdie!  Ah!  It was another easy par, though.  I continued the front side making a couple of bogies and one birdie to make the turn at one over par.  I was playing much better, but somewhere along the way, I changed from playing target golf to "let's protect the score I have" golf.  Not good.  This is what I have to work on.  Because, inevitably, whenever you try to play "protective" golf instead of seeing how low you can go...you rarely produce a good round.  For instance, I kept hitting greens, but I left myself with incredibly long putts.  When you continue to leave yourself with 60 foot putts, you increase your chances of a three putt here and there.  I three putted two of the last four holes.  OUCH.  I carded a four over 77 to end the day that left me in a tie for seventh place.  

I managed to get in some good putting practice before leaving the course that afternoon, but almost immediately after I got into my hotel room, the bottom dropped.  I learned that there would be a thunderstorm and tornado warning for all of central Florida that night.  The next morning another line of storms came in and the final round was eventually cancelled.  

However, although I didn't play as well as I would have liked, I did manage to take home my first check as a professional golfer!!!!!!!  Apparently, a tie for seventh place earned me a little cash, so that made driving through the rain a little bit better!  I got back home last night, and will be leaving again on Sunday for another Suncoast event in Florida!  Updates to come!

Thank you all for your encouragement this week.  I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful community of support!