2011 US Am Bound!!!

[Ben]

Finished caddying for my buddy Sam today. 36 holes at North Ranch CC in Thousand Oaks for US Amateur local qualifying. He shot an easy 3under 68 in the first round, which had him in a tie for the lead. Honestly, it was like a walk in the park. Fairways, greens and solid putting. Except for a silly bogey at the last, everything was going right! That bogey kinda ticked him off, so the 40minute break for lunch couldn't have come at a better time.

The second round got off rocky, bogeying 1, but birdied 2. And then the wind picked up for the rest of the day. par par par par, forever pars until a stretch of three bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. He found himself at 4over for that round, 1over total, and felt as though he was losing a grip on the day. But, Sam has a record of finishing strong, and today he lived up to that reputation. He drained a solid 30 foot putt for birdie on 16 from a bottom level tier to the top. Made a solid two putt par on 17, then drained the putt of his life on 18. Seriously it was no less than 50', left to right and downhill towards a lake. Tracking, tracking, tracking and catches the low side lip just enough to curl around the cup and drop! Insane putt! Screaming, cheering, hat throwing, the works!

In a field of 76, three players were to advance with two alternates. That 50' putt on 18 saved Sam from going into a playoff. Even though I was only caddying, this was the most exciting day I've ever had on a golf course. After that bogey on 16 we were both super jacked and amped up! We've been together since 6:00am this morning and just finally got home for the day after a nice dinner with friends. And we have both been high-fives and smiles all day since we knew he was in!

http://www.ghintpp.com/SCGA/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=386

Next up, 7800yards of Erin Hills CC in Erin, WI. Yes, 7800 yards!

http://erinhills.com/erin_hills_golf_score_card.aspx

http://www.2011usamateur.com/

[senorchipotle]

whoa! would love to see that putt on video. have fun man, it'll be a great experience.

[Gioguy21]

ben...whats the course play to? all the way back at 7800 yards both days?...*starts feeling fatigued just readin that scorecard*

**edit** realized you played at North Ranch and not Erin for the qualifier...



BEST OF LUCK!

[iacas]

I've caddied for Dave in the PNC the past two years and for some others in some other events.

I both love and hate caddying. I love it because you're in the action, right there, and if you're doing your job well what you do matters quite a bit. I hate it because you can't hit the shots and are relegated to watching at a certain point after you've made your decisions!! :-)

[TN94z]

Wow! Congrats!!    7800 yards!  I played in a qualifier last year that was 7200 and it was pouring down rain which made it a bit longer. It made for a long day.  Good luck!

[Ben]

I don't think the course is playing the full 7800y. Sam is under the impression that its only 7700...

Originally Posted by iacas

I both love and hate caddying. I love it because you're in the action, right there, and if you're doing your job well what you do matters quite a bit. I hate it because you can't hit the shots and are relegated to watching at a certain point after you've made your decisions!! :-)

That's how I've felt caddying in the past, but for some reason, I didn't feel that way yesterday. Maybe because I know that I couldn't play regardless, being an Am event? Or maybe because this course was freaking nuts from the tee and I didn't want to hit the shots he had to? HAHAAA.

[senorchipotle]

i like playing longer courses. as a tall guy, i can hit my longer irons and driver more easily. but 7800 yards, damn!

4 600 yard par 5's. looks like nothing but a gimmick course.

[Deryck Griffith]

Sounds exciting!  Looking forward to the next update after the championship!

[brightonrock]

4 600yard+ par 5's...3/4 200yard+ par 3s...6/10 par 4s more than 450yards...wow. That is just obscenely long. I have played (and miraculously parred - and up&down; though, could never get home in regulation) just one 600yard+ hole in my life. I think I'd have a heart attack going that far in one day! It would be so demoralising hitting a perfect, flush drive and seeing still a long iron at the green on every single hole. Good luck though, hope your buddy makes it and we can look out for him at the full tourney!

[Ben]

Thanks yeah. I'm really hoping to get to go and caddy for him. We were hanging out tonight and reliving the round with a friend. We made a great team. Sadly though, his Dad usually caddies for him, so he might get the job. Stinkin' family bond! Either way this is a great experience and confidence booster for Sam!

More good news as another kid I know, Chris, destroyed qualifying at Crystalaire today. 67, 67 -10 for second place. This kid is a beast! I think I remember him saying he's 6'7". Can't be more than 20 years old. Destroys the ball. And he's been kicking butt in the Am division of the Golden State Tour. Great to see that he made it through as well!

http://www.ghintpp.com/SCGA/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=387