Hi everyone! Sorry for the delayed update, but I drove straight home from Daytona Beach yesterday after the round. I didn't get in until around 9:30, and posted a quick update to my facebook page. In case you don't keep up via Facebook...I shot an even par 72 yesterday to finish 10th for the tournament!
Yesterday's round got off to a MUCH better start! I made a conscious effort to make confident, aggressive swings towards my target. I concentrated on focusing on the shot I wanted to make happen, and not all of he possible scenarios that could happen. It seemed to work. I hit every green on the front side. I not only hit the greens, but I hit it close. I had seven looks at birdie inside of 15 feet on the front side alone. I made four of them. I was three under after he first five holes! I encountered some speed issues and three putted twice on the front side, but I made the turn at two under!
The back side is tougher than the front anyways, but it became more difficult as the wind picked up. I only hit four greens on the back and missed two up & downs for par, ending the day with a round of 34 - 38, 72!
I was very encouraged by yesterdays round not only because of the better score, but because of how many great opportunities I had for birdie! I was so thankful the Lord gave me a glimpse of everything coming together. I am encouraged to work harder and better these next few weeks!
I do have a few weeks off until my next tournament. We will be playing at Harmony Golf Preserve the first week in April. Until then, I'll be working hard...and really appreciate sleeping in my own bed, haha! Thanks to all of you who have sent encouraging texts, comments, and prayers! I am so very blessed and so very grateful! Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
LPGA International - Round Two
Today's round was a little better! I carded a 75... one stroke better...but moving in the right direction.
The morning started off a bit more shaky than yesterday. I'm not sure why, but I was more "careful" and timid over my approach shots, resulting in less than solid contact and missed greens. In fact, I missed five of the first six greens and was three over after six holes! I finally hit a green on #7, and that seemed to calm my nerves. I stuck it to six feet on the par five #8, but my birdie putt dipped in one side of the hole and came back out the other! I made the turn at three over.
The back side was a little more consistent. I hit six greens, stuck another approach to five feet and this time my putt went in for birdie! #16 is a par five, and I hit the green in regulation. I had about 25 feet for birdie, but I misjudged the speed and it slipped about six feet past the hole. My nerves got the best of me & I missed the putt coming back for par...sickening! I did make a GREAT up & down for par on #17. I was especially proud of this because 17 has played extremely long into the wind the past two days. Plus, I had a 10 foot putt for par, but I trusted my read and knocked it in the dead center of the cup! I finished with a solid par on #18 to end the day with a 75. Not the best score, but I'm pretty proud that I played the last 13 holes even par after such a shaky start!
My score puts me tied for 14th and seven strokes back from the lead. I'll tee off tomorrow morning at 9:40 EST! I'll update my Facebook page, but won't be able to update the blog since I'll be hopping in the car immediately afterwards to drive back to Alabama! Thanks again for all of your encouragement this week!!! It is truly appreciated!
Soli Deo Gloria
The morning started off a bit more shaky than yesterday. I'm not sure why, but I was more "careful" and timid over my approach shots, resulting in less than solid contact and missed greens. In fact, I missed five of the first six greens and was three over after six holes! I finally hit a green on #7, and that seemed to calm my nerves. I stuck it to six feet on the par five #8, but my birdie putt dipped in one side of the hole and came back out the other! I made the turn at three over.
The back side was a little more consistent. I hit six greens, stuck another approach to five feet and this time my putt went in for birdie! #16 is a par five, and I hit the green in regulation. I had about 25 feet for birdie, but I misjudged the speed and it slipped about six feet past the hole. My nerves got the best of me & I missed the putt coming back for par...sickening! I did make a GREAT up & down for par on #17. I was especially proud of this because 17 has played extremely long into the wind the past two days. Plus, I had a 10 foot putt for par, but I trusted my read and knocked it in the dead center of the cup! I finished with a solid par on #18 to end the day with a 75. Not the best score, but I'm pretty proud that I played the last 13 holes even par after such a shaky start!
My score puts me tied for 14th and seven strokes back from the lead. I'll tee off tomorrow morning at 9:40 EST! I'll update my Facebook page, but won't be able to update the blog since I'll be hopping in the car immediately afterwards to drive back to Alabama! Thanks again for all of your encouragement this week!!! It is truly appreciated!
Soli Deo Gloria
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
LPGA International - Round One
I'm back n Florida this week! We are playing the Legends course at LPGA International Golf Club. I teed off #1 at 9:40 this morning. I got off to a good start, hitting the first three greens in regulation. My first hiccup came at #7. It is a fairly long par 3 slightly uphill and into a VERY stiff wind today. If you miss anywhere, short of the green is the best place to be. I played a great shot that landed a couple of yards short of the green. I was happy with my miss, knowing that short was the best chance to save par. When I approached my ball I noticed that there was something strange about the lie. It looked to be nestled down into the ground as if it had landed in its own ball mark. However, there was a definite ball mark about a foot in front of my ball...I assumed that was mine. Lesson learned: never assume. I proceeded to flub my chip shot because it was in fact sitting in its own ball mark (had I investigated this further, I could have dropped my ball out of its plugged lie according to the rules of golf). Another poor chip left me with a 10 footer I didn't make. I left the green with a double. The only blemish on my front side, I made the turn at 2 over par. Lesson learned.
As the day progressed, that stiff wind became huge gusts from 30-40 mph. It became harder to hit greens, and I added two more bogeys to my card from missed up & downs. In fact, I only hit 4 greens on the back side. My first birdie of the day finally fell at the par 5, #16! Unfortunately #17 played particularly long into the wind, and I was unable to convert the putt for par. I ended on a good note, though, hitting #18 in regulation, and tapping in for par(after a heartbreaking lip out for birdie).
Although I'm not thrilled with a 76, I am encouraged by several things in today's round. Putting, first and foremost! If you've followed me via Facebook, you've noticed that I had a putting lesson on Friday. I learned the Aimpoint putting technique from instructor Justin Blazer at the Falo Institute in Orlando. It was quite possibly one of the greatest putting lessons I've received. If you aren't familiar with Aimpoint...google it. As great as it is, this was only my third day with the material and the first tournament round using it. My nerves were a little on edge to begin with, but I felt more comfortable by the end of the round. I found myself assessing putts quickly and being more decisive over the ball. Any concerns about the concept being too technical for me to use on the course sort of fell away, and I made some GREAT putts today (not every GREAT putt fell...but a lot of them did)! I am very excited to continue integrating this technique into my game! Also, I hit some really solid golf shots today and made some great course strategy decisions.
My score putts me 6 strokes back of the lead and tied for 11th with two more rounds to go. I'll be teeing off tomorrow at 8:20 EST off #1! As always, I am deeply grateful to even have the opportunity to play and pursue golf as a career. Thank you for your encouragement throughout this adventure & I'll keep you updated!!! Have a great night!!!
Soli Deo Gloria
As the day progressed, that stiff wind became huge gusts from 30-40 mph. It became harder to hit greens, and I added two more bogeys to my card from missed up & downs. In fact, I only hit 4 greens on the back side. My first birdie of the day finally fell at the par 5, #16! Unfortunately #17 played particularly long into the wind, and I was unable to convert the putt for par. I ended on a good note, though, hitting #18 in regulation, and tapping in for par(after a heartbreaking lip out for birdie).
Although I'm not thrilled with a 76, I am encouraged by several things in today's round. Putting, first and foremost! If you've followed me via Facebook, you've noticed that I had a putting lesson on Friday. I learned the Aimpoint putting technique from instructor Justin Blazer at the Falo Institute in Orlando. It was quite possibly one of the greatest putting lessons I've received. If you aren't familiar with Aimpoint...google it. As great as it is, this was only my third day with the material and the first tournament round using it. My nerves were a little on edge to begin with, but I felt more comfortable by the end of the round. I found myself assessing putts quickly and being more decisive over the ball. Any concerns about the concept being too technical for me to use on the course sort of fell away, and I made some GREAT putts today (not every GREAT putt fell...but a lot of them did)! I am very excited to continue integrating this technique into my game! Also, I hit some really solid golf shots today and made some great course strategy decisions.
My score putts me 6 strokes back of the lead and tied for 11th with two more rounds to go. I'll be teeing off tomorrow at 8:20 EST off #1! As always, I am deeply grateful to even have the opportunity to play and pursue golf as a career. Thank you for your encouragement throughout this adventure & I'll keep you updated!!! Have a great night!!!
Soli Deo Gloria
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