LPGA International - Round Three

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

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

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

Timacuan - Round One

This week we're playing at Timacuan Golf Course in Lake Mary, Florida. It's a very nice course just outside of Orlando. I teed of #10 at 12:00 EST today. There are definitely some longer holes at Timacuan, and #10 is one of them...especially with firm breeze in your face! I got off to a good start though. I was even par coming into #17 with one birdie and one bogey. I misjudged the wind on my approach shot and left myself with a 45 foot putt for birdie directly into the grain. After playing on some quicker greens, it was hard to make myself hit the ball hard enough to get to the hole, particularly on longer putts into the grain. I left my birdie attempt 12 feet short, and couldn't convert for par. My first and only three putt of the day. On #18 I hit a good drive and a good second shot...too good, in fact. I pulled it a little left, but regardless of direction, it was too much club. I found out the hard way that you should favor the front of 18 green...because there is a hazard just behind the green that I failed to notice during my practice round. I had to drop out of the hazard, but did make a decent chip and great putt to save bogey.

Although I was two over making the turn, I felt (with that previous save for bogey) I had some decent momentum going. Sure enough, my 18 foot putt for birdie on #1 just burned the lip and I tapped in for par! I missed the next green, hit a good chip, but completely and utterly misread my putt for par. I think this is where my mental game gave way. All of the sudden I went from being focused on hitting fairways and greens to being "score" focused. Not good. I missed every following green, with exception of the par 5s (both birdie putts burned the edge & didn't fall). Now although I'm not proud of that statistic, I did make some GREAT up & downs to save par on three of those five par 4s. Needless to say, it was exhausting. It felt like the harder I tried, the more I missed the greens! I finished, carding a 77 for the day. Like I said, while I'm not particularly proud of my score, I am proud that I continued to fight & didn't give up or get down on myself. I'm not sure where my score puts me in relation to the field, but hopefully I can hang in there and come back strong tomorrow! I will definitely commit myself to do a better job of focusing on hitting fairways and greens!

Thanks for checking in and for all of your encouragement via facebook, texts, and this blog!!!! I will be teeing of #1 at 12:50 tomorrow! I'll keep you updated! Thanks again, and have a great night!






Soli Deo Gloria

Reunuion - Round Three

If you were able to see my Facebook updates, you know that yesterday's round was an improvement on my first round to say the least! The weather was gorgeous, but it was still fairly windy. I got off to a rocky start, and was four over after the first five holes. I started focusing on hitting the center of the green & that helped considerably. A few birdies and bogeys later I carded a 76, which I was pretty pleased with after such a rough start.

After my round, I had dinner with some friends from college who live in Orlando. Thanks Katie and Leigh Anne for a fun night! The night got even better when my parents arrived. I was SO EXCITED that they were able to come!!!!! They watched me play the last round today & then we're going to visit Disney World for a couple of days!

Thankfully, today's round was even better than yesterday's! I got off to a much better start, hitting eight out of the first nine greens. I made the turn at two under! The back nine played a little tougher than the front. My two bogies came at 14 & 16. Both are intimidating holes on a normal day. Add a few gusts of wind, tournament pressure, and they're even harder. I was able to finish with pars on the last two holes to card an even par 72 for the day!

Today's score bumped me up to a finish in eighth place!!! I am so happy to have finished so strong after such a rough start. I am also very thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a community of family & friends who are so supportive. THANK YOU for all of your encouragement this week! My next event will be a Suncoast event in two weeks in Orlando. Thanks again for following and I'll keep you updated!



Soli Deo Gloria

Reunuion: Nicklaus Course Round One

Hey everyone, and welcome back!!! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season! I'm starting off my 2012 season with a Suncoast event in Orlando, Florida this week. We're playing the Nicklaus course the 7-9th.

Today was a rough start! I carded a 9-over, 81. I have to admit my nerves got the best of me in a couple of instances, particularly the first couple of holes. That's part of getting back into the competitive spirit I suppose! Today was an especially windy day in Orlando as well, making approach shots and holding greens more challenging. Despite the wind and gray skies, I was thankful it never rained on us. We endured only a light sprinkle the last few holes.

I really struggled hitting greens today, although I didn't it the ball badly. I hit 8 greens total, but actually "hit" 5 more that didn't hold. Overall, I chipped well today and gave myself great chances to save par...I just couldn't convert the save. Putting was the real problem. I had 4 three putts today, giving me a grand total of 33 putts. Yuck! I struggled reading the putts. Except for one putt (which was relatively lengthy...about 60 feet), my speed control was pretty good. I struggled with the shorter putts. I even had a couple of three footers that lipped out! For those of you that play, you know this can quickly effect your confidence. I think that's what happened today. I started second guessing & eventually made it harder for myself to commit to a read.

I did have two beautiful birdies today, which as nice to see! Also, I've recently made some pretty significant swing changes & was pretty pleased with my ball striking under tournament pressure in tough conditions. There's still a lot of room for improvement, but I'm at least feeling a little more comfortable and confident.

I'm currently tied for 22nd and take out my four three putts...I'd be top ten. I tee off tomorrow morning at 11:36 EST. I'd appreciate any thoughts, prayers, and good vibes you could send my way! Thank you so much for your support and keeping up with my adventures! Have a great night and God bless!

Q School - Final Round

I've thought a lot about what I would post here.  I'm not going to go into details about my final round and recount every shot or situation.  If you saw my Facebook status or the LPGA online results, I carded a 76 and it was not good enough to advance.

I want to caution you that this post may be a little "heavier" than my previous posts.  I don't intend to be overly dramatic, but I want to give an honest account of this week.  I realize that golf is just a game and I realize that even on my worst days, I am unbelievably blessed to have the opportunity to be doing what I'm doing.  However, I also realize that a LOT of time and money have gone into the past two years to make this "game" a "career."  As such, I pray about it and am as concerned about it just as many of you may treat your own careers.

I say all that as a preface to my summary of the week.  Qualifying school is arguably the most important tournament of the year for a golfer.  Your play for the week determines your status on the tour, which determines how many events you can compete in, which determines your schedule for the next year.  I had worked harder than I have ever worked for this entire season to prepare for Q School this year.  Looking back, I wouldn't change my strategy.  I did everything I needed to do.  I played in a lot of events.  I was completely focused on golf, not allowing anything to compete with my time.  And consequently, I came into this tournament more relaxed than normal and with the best attitude I had ever had coming into Q School competition.  I knew that I had done everything I could have done and had prepared the absolute best I could, both mentally and physically.  I realized the significance of this tournament, but I didn't put an enormous amount of pressure on myself like I had in the past.  Even after the terribly disappointing finish on the first day, I didn't succumb to negative emotions and thoughts.  I kept my head high this entire week.

There's only one thing I can conclude with all things considered:  it was obviously not in the Lord's plan for me to advance to Stage III.  Now, I understand that this statement may meet with disapproval from some of my readers.  Some may think it's a "cop-out" or an excuse for my poor play.  Some may think that God couldn't be further from life's outcomes.  But this is what I believe:  that God is not only present, but is intimately involved in not only my life, but in everything.

I promise, I don't mean to offer this as an "excuse" or a point of contention.  Certainly there are points of my game that I can improve upon, and I plan on tackling them full force this off season.  I take full responsibility for my play, and strive to become a better player each day.  But just as the Lord can allow everything to come together, He can also allow everything to fall apart.  And I have to acknowledge His presence in both situations, even when I don't understand it.  

No doubt, my finish at this week's tournament has made my 2012 season a little more difficult than I would have wanted.  But I take comfort that I did everything in my power to prepare and become a better player this year.  And I have to remind myself that (thankfully) there is a plan, that there is Someone who is wiser, and that just as things can fall apart, He can put them back together.  

I don't mean to "preach," and you are welcome to agree or disagree with my thoughts.  No worries and certainly no judgement there!  But I do want to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and to follow me throughout this season.  I cannot tell you how incredibly encouraging it has been to receive texts, phone calls, and comments from you all!!!!  Thank you for following and for being a strong source of support.  I look forward to keeping you updated on all that is in store for the 2012 season as well as this off season competition.  I'll still be playing in Suncoast events this fall and winter, so keep an eye out for my blog updates!  Thanks again.