Stroke play tournaments are a different beast. One slip and your score can climb higher than expected. It is evitable that situations will arise that cause consternation, but how we respond will determine our successes. I played many stroke tournaments in the past with mixed results. I won a bunch and failed to perform in others; regardless, as my experience grew playing in stroke play events so did my preparation. It is not a difficult process, but a proven method that works for my game.
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Hitting Fairways and Greens
A challenge all golfers face is hitting fairways and greens. My young friend Alex is playing in a school tournament today. We have been played a few times with the intent of improving his game from tee to green. On Sunday past, we walked 9 holes at the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort to discuss course management while playing in a stroke play tournament. It was a great round and Alex asked many great questions. The main topic of our conversation was how to play well at Osprey Links (a course I am very familiar). As we walked around our home course, we discussed the best way to loop Osprey Links; I told him to hit shots that keep him on the fairways and greens!
Continue readingPlaying Golf In Your Favourite Tournament
The season of golf tournaments is closely at hand. Regardless of which course you play, the deluge of tournaments is about to hit your local area. They take up tee times and sometimes directly affect your ability to play at your favourite time. Well, if you are new to the golf, it is important to understand that this is all part of the golf business. Many courses/clubs make their profits during these events and therefore try to balance the number of events with the demand for member tee times. I have made my peace with this dance and actually embrace the tournaments by participating in them as much as possible. For the most part, I find them fun, entertaining, and challenging all at the same time. However, I do have a favourite and intentionally seek this format out above all others.
Continue reading2020 Osprey Links Match Play Tournaments
I volunteered to be the chairperson of the 2020 Osprey Links Match Play Tournaments. Like last year, I offered to help lighten the administrative load of the awesome Osprey Links staff by spearheading the member’s only Stroke and Net Match Play events. The winner of each event receives a parking spot adjacent to the clubhouse. These coveted parking spots drew out 42 players last year and we are hoping for more this year!
Continue readingLeading After 18 Holes
The first round of our 2-day stroke play tournament to make the base golf team is over. The conditions were the toughest of the year with a steady 35 kpm wind and intermittent rain. Before my friends in the UK, Scotland or Ireland start laughing, these conditions are atypical in northern Canada. Regardless, it was a tournament and we were ready to play.
The group members were moved around and as such, my group were 4 solid players. Each had the game to lead after 18 holes, but the conditions, in some cases rust, and early start challenged everyone’s game. We played a 4.5 hour round and except for the few searches in the woods, the pace was to my liking. Continue reading
The Grateful Golfer 