U.S. Open "Opening"

I really thought I had made it despite two double-bogeys. As it turned out, I had to fight for a fifth spot in a sudden death play-off with three other guys who had 70 like me.

I enjoy the competition of play-offs but I wish I hadn’t gotten myself into such a position. I don’t like giving away things to others with bogeys and double bogeys.

It boiled down to a bogey. Two others had dropped off. It was me against the other. My bogey sealed the deal.

On the upside, I’m the “first alternate” if someone bows out before the next round of qualifying in Columbus, Ohio. It’s not over ‘till it’s over as the saying goes.

Taking a Break

I wanted to end the Spring Series with a bang but it didn’t quite work out that way. I was on a hot streak for rounds one and two with the best showing so far—tied for 3rd. But, I didn’t keep the momentum for the last round. That will be my main goal in the next series!

I’ve finished two Gateway Series now. We have a break until June 7 when the summer one starts.

I’m headed out to Kent State University for a few days. I’ll visit my college coach, Herb Page, and see the guys on the golf team and many other friends I made while at university.

I’m going to give the U.S. Open a try. I have the first qualifier on May 22nd. You never know!

After that, I’m looking forward to returning to my home town, Toronto for a short visit. It will be great to hang out with my family and friends and get a ‘tune up” from my swing coach, Steve Chapman.

When I’m home, I’m going to connect up with the people who won a chance to play with me at the silent auction in March. I’m glad to have the opportunity to relax a little and just play golf for fun.

A "DQ" Dilemma

If it hadn’t been for an innocent comment by my buddy J.C., disqualification (“DQ”) would never have entered my mind. As we unwound from the first round of last week’s tournament, he mentioned in passing that the 17th hole was a bit confusing on where to tee off.

When we compared notes, it looked like me and the three other guys who were playing with me might have teed off at a different spot from J.C. and the others. We weren’t sure though. Were we the only ones? Was it really that confusing (member tees versus tournament tees)? We had no choice but to talk to the officials.

We went ahead and played the second day while the situation was being sorted out. I felt great about my game. Things were going well and I made the cut. There’s no way I wanted to be “DQ’d”!

By the start of Day Three, the element of doubt still was in the air. We talked about it more with the officials.

In the end, the only choice was to be “DQ’d”. Once doubt enters the mind, it won’t go away! It’s a “tough love” lesson that I would like to avoid as much as possible! It’s also what makes golf a great game.

Still a Toe in the Nationwide

It was cold and windy in Virginia Beach. A strong group of players were all fighting for seven spots to qualify in a Nationwide event. In the end, my 71 just wasn’t good enough. I knew that as I bogeyed the last hole---darned! Sixty nine was the cut line. Even so, six guys had to compete in a play off for four of the seven spots.

I could have been one of them if I’d been more careful in my choice of clubs. I blew my up and down accuracy with the wrong clubs at crucial holes.

It’s all in a day at the golf course!