This sums it all up for me! How about you?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Grateful Golfer
I Made the Golf Team
Warming Up in the Rain!
First, I want to thank everyone for the awesome support and positive comments over the last couple of days. I am truly grateful to have so many people in my corner as I competed during Wing Playdowns.
To cut to the chase, I made the team. I finished third overall and I will be heading to the Regional Competition in Petawawa in July. Since 1990, this is the 20th time I have made the base team and been given the opportunity to play at the next level of competition. Through the years I have finished first 1 time, third 3 times, and in the top 10, 15 times. I have had a good run so I am hoping to continue my good fortune next month.
Today was a the survival of the fittest. It poured rain all day. I am not talking light showers, but hard rain for most of the round. It was raining so much, I had to remove my hat when putting because the constant stream of water falling on my putter was too distracting. By the 5 hole, I was soaked to the bone. But, as seasoned golfers will tell you, any day in competition is a great day!
Today was my worst round of the tournament. I shot an 87. A smooth 46 front and 41 back. Believe it or not, it was the 4th best score of the day. The final score was not as disturbing as how I got there; the 3 doubles and 2 triples were especially rewarding! When I blow a hole, I do a great job doing it! Take those scores away and I played rather well. I will say that my chipping and putting was not as sharp today. I missed 6 putts under 5 feet. But, that is life on the golf course.
I did, however, take a couple of lessons from today’s round. First, I need more dry towels in my bag. Second, don’t forget your rain pants in the car. Lastly, in the pouring rain, I need to take a bit off my swing. Because of the wet conditions and the fact that I do not wear a glove, my grips were very wet and swing hard did cause some difficulties.
Regardless of my score, I made the team. That was the goal of the tournament.
On a side note, I am being fitted for irons and a new driver tomorrow. I am very excited about that to say the least.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Back In the Hunt on Day 2
Hitting it straight off the tee
I am back in the hunt after day 2 of our 3 day, 54 hole military golf tournament. As previously posted, the current stroke-play event is to determine who will represent our Wing at the Ontario Regional Golf Championship in July. So after two days, I am tied for third. Top 5 make the team.
Yesterday was a round of, well, it was hard to describe. I actually played well for 14 holes. The other 4 holes, I was 9-over! Up, 9-over! I finished the day with an 86. Not my best day. The weakest part of my game was driving, long irons, and chipping. My putting was quite good and it saved me from scoring my higher. We also used the lift-clean-place through the greens local rule. It had rained a fair bit and the course condition warranted this decision. Unfortunately, this helpful rule did not help me.
For those who do not know the lift-clean-place rule
“Adverse conditions, including the poor condition of the course or the existence of mud, are sometimes so general, particularly during winter months, that the Committee may decide to grant relief by temporary Local Rule either to protect the course or to promote fair and pleasant play. The Local Rule should be withdrawn as soon as the conditions warrant.”— Rules of Golf, Appendix I; Part B; Section 3b. As this article outlines, the USGA does not like it, but it is a rule nonetheless.
Basically, we were allowed to pick up the ball, clean it, and place the ball within 6 inches of its original condition; no closer to the hole. Additionally, if you are in the rough, you must stay in the rough.
Today, I was the best round of the year. Except for the triple on the 5 hole, I shot even par. Yup, I shot a 75. Everything was smooth; I was in play all day; and my approach shots were deadly. I shot a 41 (with the triple) / 34 with 3 birdies and a bogey. The ball was on target most of the time and my misses were close. Overall, I am extremely happy with the results.
Tomorrow I will play in the last group. I am right in the middle of the 5 players required to make up the team. I am 4 strokes behind first place and 4 strokes ahead of fifth place. The plan tomorrow is to follow what I did today. The goal is to make the team so taking needless chances is definitely not in the books for tomorrow.
I want to thank everyone who sent me positive comments, great tips, and quick notes of encouragement! I am grateful for the support and tomorrow will be a day to play well and continue to have fun.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Military Golf Competition
On Wednesday, I am entering a stroke-play tournament to hopefully make the team to represent my military Wing at the Ontario Regional Golf Championship in July. This tournament is a three-day combined stroke event where the top five male and top two female players will move on to the next level. The Wing golf tournament will be played at my home course of Roundel Glen Golf Course in Astra, Ontario.
The Ontario Golf Regionals, played at the Petawawa, Ontario, is a three-day stroke-play event with several competitions in one. First, there is the overall team competition. Each day, the lowest 4 scores of the seven players are used to determine the total score for the Wing on that day. (For those who think that the female scores do not count, think again; they are usually used a couple of times during the tournament) After three days of competition, your total team score will be used and the lowest team score wins the event and crowned Ontario Regional Team Champions. They receive a pennant which is proudly displayed at their home Unit.
Another event inside of the team competition is the singles competition. The person with the lowest gross score after three days is crowned the Ontario Region individual champion (men and women). Additionally, the lowest five male and two female gross scores make up the Ontario Regional team that represents their region at the Canadian Forces National Golf Competition.
The National Competition, played at Shilo, Manitoba, is the same format as the Regional Competition except the players are significantly better. It is an exciting time of military golfers and believe me, bragging rights are as important as the hardware.
I am excited to start for the upcoming competition and my GAF (Golf Attitude Factor) is extremely high!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
There is Never Enough Time For Golf
There are times when I feel that here is never enough time to golf. Other days, and they are very few, I am ready for a break and try something new. Wait, scratch that last statement!!!
In the immortal words of Ben Hogan:
Do you have enough time for golf?
The Grateful Golfer 