2010 Mini Tour Season, Tournament 1. Golden State Tour, Angeles National

[Ben]

Well, although I didn't make it to the Asian Tour full-time and I'm back in the states, I'm not letting that get me down. I took the momentum from my good play in Asia to my first event on the Golden State Tour. Played at "the only Nicklaus Design course in LA" Angeles National. Site of US Open and Northern Trust Open qualifying. (Northern Trust qual is Wed.)

Shot a pretty solid even par 72, which got me a tie for 4th. So, 2010 is looking good so far!

Starting on the back nine first, got off with a bang. Sank a nice birdie putt from about 20 feet on 1. Had some really good looks on 2, 3, 4 and 5, however failed to take advantage on any of them. All my fault. Greens were ultra pure, as always at this place. Just couldn't find the bottom of the cup. Then missed a crucial par putt on the 6th from about 6 feet. That sucked. But, managed to get some really solid pars on the way in to finish the front at even.

On the back, things were looking good as I got myself back under with a birdie on the Par 5 11th (hole 2). Knocked a PW to about 4 feet from 122y and the rough. 3rd hole sucked. A tough Par 3 , it was playing 213y into a slight wind. Took a 4 iron that ended up alright. Actually really nice. Below the hole on a severely sloping green, but in some thick rough just off the green. Didn't really flub the chip, but, didn't get it close enough and didn't make the par putt. Did come back with a birdie two hole later though, so, back to 1-under. Hole 6 (our 15th) #1 handicap hole . Usually a good power-fade off the tee will leave me a 6 or 7 iron in, however, I blocked my drive, into the junk, not to be found. My provisional was sitting there, right where I should have been in the first place, 6 iron in hand. Hit it to 25 feet. Had the read for my bogey perfect, just didn't come off the putterface well enough, left it just short in the jar, double bogey... #7 (16 for the day) is a par 3 with a really tricky green. Nice 6 iron to 20 feet, little push putt, Nice par, I'll take it. Cause now I got Hole 8 (17) Drive can be a bit dicey, particularly after blocking my last drive OB, but I don't think about the past, only the present. I knock my drive into play, 236y to the hole, but the lie is half buried in some rough. There is a little window between two bunkers that guard the front. I figure I can squirt one up there and see what the bounces bring. Well, just like I saw in my head it does just that. Right through the opening to about 4 feet. A tricky little slider for eagle, that drops! Back to 1-under. But, do you think 18 is gonna be a push over? No way, not this place. Beast of a hole. 486yards of par 4 goodness! Hit the drive I wanted, nice little fade, but I started it out just a little too left, so I don't any roll as it stops in the left rough and a little bank. I have 230 left, grab my hybrid and knock it in a deeeeep bunker that guards the front of the green. I don't get up and down, bogey, even par finish.

Overall, I am happy with my play. This course is no push-over. Could have been better, yeah, sure. But I'll take the T4 finish and some cash in the pocket!

Next up, Oak Valley on Friday. Site of PGA QSchool second stage. Not quite as demanding as this place. Usually in good shape, very pleasing to the eye. I'm exciting to keep this roll going.

This was a long one, thanks for reading!


http://www.angelesnational.com/course.html

http://gstour.com/results.php?tourna...%20GC%20012510

[Alex B]

Nice work Ben, keep up the good play.

[Shindig]

Sorry you didn't make it to the Asian tour for this year. But I'm glad to see that, as long as you're state-side, that you're at the top of the leaderboard for the events here.

[jamo]

Thanks for writing!

[kpaulhus]

I love that you're playing for money. Its pretty neat that you can make some extra cash doing what you love. I wish my boss would let me take work off to go play on a tour.....when I get better of course lol

[bogeyhitter25]

Nice write-up. Nice finish. Good luck in 2k10.