Regional Golf Championship

/ The Grateful Golfer / 21 Comments

Norwood Golf Course 3 Nov 14 (12)As many of you know, I am off to the Ontario Regional Golf Championship. The practice round is on Monday, with the 54-hole competition starts at 0800 hrs on Tuesday. This is my 23rd time I have attended this leg of the competition in 25 years and I feel that more confident than I have in years.

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 counted 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 from the three days will be calculated 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.

With new clubs in hand, I am playing the most consistent golf all year. With 5 consecutive rounds in the 70s, things look very promising. However, I will say that at least one-third of the field in Petawawa play at the same level or better as I do; so competition will be fierce. Winning this exact tournament in 2009, in Petawawa, I know how to win….I just need to execute when required, use proper course management and stay positive for 4 days!

More updates to come! I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Thank You Mr. Watson – Day 2 at The Open Championship!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Thank you Mr. Watson! Tom Watson has played The Open Championship for the last time. The 8-time Major Champion, 5 of those at The Open, missed the cut and crossed the Swilcan Bridge, as professional golfer, for the last time. Tom Watson thrilled golfing fans for 44 years by challenging the greats like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer always believed that had the game to win!

With 71 professional wins, Watson is a proven champion. Tied for 11th overall with 39 PGA Tour wins, Watson has won with class every step of the way. Through all his success, he demonstrated that winning on the links can be transferred to winning in life. The four charities he supports, one for over 25 years, has benefitted from his tremendous leadership and I am confident he will continue after he leaves professional golf.

Normally, former champions are exempt to play in The Open Championship until they are 60, however, the R&A created a new exemption after Watson was runner-up at Turnberry in 2009 when he was 59 and lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Past champions who finish in the top 10 are exempt for five years. Tom Watson demonstrated it is possible to play golf well into the latter stages of our lives! How inspiring is that!

Today was an emotional day for Mr. Watson. He knew after the front-nine that his time was short, but he walked tall for the closing holes and demonstrated how true champions conduct themselves through all situations. When it was all said and done, all he did was tip his hat and say thank you!

The Open Championship will a little less grandiose next year because Mr. Watson will not grace the links at Royal Troon. However, I am sure that Tom Watson will be the first to tell you that professional golf is bigger than one man, but it is the special players that make golf great!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The Open Championship Day 1

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Day 1 of The Open Championship was fantastic. The scores were amazing! With 63 players under par, it is not surprising to have 11 players within 2 strokes of the leader Dustin Johnson.

However, not being at The Open like Paul McCormack (a fellow golfing fan), I cannot do the action at The Open justice. However, here is what was trending last night!

Day 1 of The Open Championship was amazing! Lets hope Day 2 provides the same excitement!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The Open. Dustin Johnson Leads.

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This is a great recap of Day 1 at the Open Championship thanks to White Dragon Golf

Pete Robbins's avatarWhite Dragon Golf

White Dragon GolfDustin Johnson leads the 144th The Open Championship on day one at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

The OpenDustin Johnson/ Getty Images

Dustintook advantage of the easier early conditions to post a bogey free first round -7 under par 65 on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Dustin said on Monday he had no hang-ups about his Chambers Bay near-miss, and this round proves it;

“Nothing bad happened at Chambers Bay, so I wasn’t disappointed, really.”

“I did everything I was supposed to. I couldn’t control what the ball was doing on the greens there.

“There’s really no bad feelings from that, only good. I played really well and then it carried over to today.

“Any time you shoot 65 it is very pleasing. I thought I played well today I made two key par putts on 16 and 17.”

There are six players…

View original post 401 more words

Golf’s Unarguable Fundamental

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Keeping your head Still

Keeping my head still during my golf swing is by far the most important fundamental of hitting the ball well. I have tried all types of tips and tricks, but I always revert back to this basic tenant of a good golf swing.

To add to keeping my head still, I count to one silently before looking for the ball in the air. This little trick ensures my head stays steady and in the proper position throughout my entire swing. If I do not count to one, I generally it the ball off the heel of my club which sometimes results in something very bad!

Keeping your head still is key to great golf. I support it and recommended it! What are your thoughts on the matter?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!