"The Open...."

[enis750]

This term can be used to describe some prestigious tournaments in the show. We all know them, “US Open”, “British Open” (or now just “The Open”). Well I have an “Open” of my own in 2 days from now.

I walked into the pro shop one morning, as I do most mornings, and my Asst. Pro asks me for $80. Good Morning to you too!!! Ha HA! Ummm…ok, didn’t think much of it and handed him my Visa. As he is punching in the $80 into the debit machine, I sort of non chalantly ask him why (really more of a rhetorical question I guess). “Entry fee for the Open”. Oh right the open…duh…..as I put my PIN in for the $80 I still have no idea what the hell he is talking about. He hands me my receipt and shows me my tee time @ 9:40 am on Sept. 04/2010…and im in a 3 some with him and another pro from a different course. Alright then…I have been entered into a tournament I knew nothing about, but let’s get at er! But why is Sept. 04 such a significant day?? I must have something on that day……. OH SHIT!!!!! My 5 year wedding anniversary is the day BEFORE!!!! Man…how the hell do I explain this one to wifey.

After much deliberation (and an $1100 “Anniversary” Ring for her - she doesn’t know about the ring yet) I am in. I simply explained that I was signed up to play by my Asst. Pro and another Pro for a tournament and was invited to play with them. How could I say no…right????? She’s a pretty understanding wife and knows that this game is all im holding on to, as far as competitiveness goes. Which I need, I feed off it.

The Tournament:

3 day tournament – 2 days of qualifying and final day, stroke play no handicap allowances (finally..I HATE net tournaments w a passion.) Our course plays approx. 6700 yds, rated at 70.6 / 119, Par 71 on normal days. I have been told that the course will be playing as hard as I have ever seen it for this weekend. Double cut and double rolled greens, rough so thick you couldn’t comb it straight w a brush, ZERO first cut (all fairway then rough), increase waste areas around the greens and pins that give you almost no shot to go at. Awesome….can’t wait [sarcasm/]. They are also making one of the par 4’s, into a par 5 and using a tee box that hasn’t been used in 10+ years. (as a par 4 it’s the hardest rated hole on the course, say maybe it will be easier now???). It has been rumored that there is over 125 golfers entered, from all over the province and some from out of province. So I guess it’s a pretty big deal – how did I not know about this???

My Game:

I have had only one week to prepare for this tournament (this past week) and I have been going hard. I think its taking a toll on me though, as my left shoulder is getting pretty sore. I have only played nine holes this week, but have put in over 3+ hours of practice every day since Monday. Last weekend was our Club Championship and I shot 82, 76. And I hit 3 fairways in 2 days. I think I have my driver woe’s figured out, now I just need some putts to drop this weekend. I have been learning more how to miss shots (make sense?). Like rolling a 12 footer on a sneaky side hill putt, and should I miss, where do I want the ball to end up? I missed a lot of putts last weekend, by not paying attention to this. Same thing on approach shots. Where do I want to putt from, always uphill for me. I started playing smarter instead of just firing at pins hoping for a good shot. I wanted to placing shots better, to leave myself good putts. I think of it as pool now. In the game of pool, you are always thinking one or two shots ahead. Golf can be played much in the same way and it will help you score better (IMO). Everything is coming together and it feel great. I also NEVER use my 60º around the greens and this week I have been teaching myself more shots from around the green. The 60º ship and run shot is soo good now. It hits, releases and quickly slows down to a stop. This will come in handy on these greens this week. I had a quick tune up w my teacher and got a few other things dialed in. My swing feels really good right now, considering I am coming out of a slump. I am confident in what it can and can’t do for me this weekend.

The Goal:

I am not going out to try and win this tournament. There are too many + index’s playing in this thing to even come close (last week our club champ shot 70, 66). But I am trying to make one of the Championship flights and place well in it. I know I have a good shot, if I just play my game, play aggressive AND smart and drop some damn putts. Im not putting a score out there to make, but just want to play well. If I shoot 85, but played well, and the course got the best of me….fine I can accept that. If I am missing somewhere (like off the tee) make a move and stick to it. Play the miss or hit 3w from the tee or even 4i if I need to. But I am playing aggressive on approach shots and going to place them where I can score. Stay hydrated, stay fed (light snacks only) and keep my head in it.

Tee off is 9:40 am Saturday Sept. 04/2010

Stay tuned for updated reports and scores……..

[Shripe]

Good luck. :)

[te3point5]

Good luck!

[TourSpoon]

Enis, good luck to you. Remember to accept the good with the bad and vice-versa, keep your cool, and be patient. Most of all, enjoy the experience. I can't wait for the updates.

[Lemay427]

I think its pretty funny you handed him your card and completed a purchase without knowing what it was for.

[enis750]

  Lemay427 said:

I think its pretty funny you handed him your card and completed a purchase without knowing what it was for.

hey , if its golf related it ALWAYS APPROVED !!! hahahah!

[mihi4]

Good Luck!

Can't wait to read, how it turned out!

[Ash1974]

Good luck mate

[enis750]

thank you for all the best wishes everyone

well i put my practice round in today and fired a decent 75
penalty stroke water ball on 4 that could have been avoided, which puts me at a 73, as i doubled that hole

played well today, putts dropped, approach shots were aggressive and mostly tight
even had an eagle putt on 10 from about 6 paces

feeling confident about tomorrow's round, cant wait to tee it up!

will report back tomorrow

[Mrd19abhs]

Happy aniversary and good luck.

[Smith285]

Give me $80.

[enis750]

Day 1 Report:

Well it wasnt a good day to start off
I really struggled to get around and it was mostly my short game that let me down (which is weird, as its usually my strong point)
Get this: I made a quad, a triple and a 2 doubles today
I have NEVER put up a round like that all year....I was embarassed for myself

It was a pretty quiet round for me
To play this crappy and not strut around cursing and acting like a 12 year old was tough

i just dont know what it is about tournament golf
I cant get my head wrapped around playing well in a tourney
Evryone always says, "just pretend its like playing w your buddies".....just cant seem to do it

uugghhhhh...........

Anyways, I shot 86 today
My Asst Pro had a great day and fired a 67
he really putted well today

Day 2 and 3 look to be cold and rainy days as well

I really need to clear my head somehow and get back in this thing...but its tough........

today i had a nice proper warm up on the range (30 balls). some godo putting practice etc...I was primed and ready to roll
think i will do the opposite tomorrow
Show up 10 mins before i tee off and just get out there
Most of my rounds of this year, were w no warm up, just showed up and golfed...and golfed well
something needs to happen

maybe beer will fix it????????

[senorchipotle]

not sure why, but i play better under pressure of competition.

[TourSpoon]

Enis, I know you will play better today. This journey that you made public just shows everyone how much different tournament pressure can be.

[enis750]

  TourSpoon said:

Enis, I know you will play better today. This journey that you made public just shows everyone how much different tournament pressure can be.

thanks TourS and yes its a whole different world

my every day index might be a 3.4, but my tournament index is closer to a 10 need to work on this, but i guess you cant if you dont enter events just finished reading paper tiger....also realy puts things into perspective last weekend i shot 82 on day one and 76 on day 2 i hope i can bring some that into today's game alright, hittin the shower and off to my 9:47 tee time for day 2 stay tuned.....

[senorchipotle]

enis, i need your credit card, please. if you can just go ahead and pm me the number, mkay.

[Tugglife2]

That $80 credit card transaction part of the story was kind of weird I must say. Other than that, good luck and have fun.

[TourSpoon]

$80 dollars for three days of tournament golf is a deal.