I met my 2007 Goal(s) Today...

[Ben]

Well, yesterday was the day. After having met my first goal two weeks back (going bogey-free) yesterday my second of 2 goals for '07 happened. 7 under par for one round!

A few stats:

15 GIR
26 Putts
9 birdies (5 in a row, which is a personal best)
6 under 29 on the back nine (also a personal best)

Check out all the circles on the card...

[TheNextBen]

Well, yesterday was the day. After having met my first goal two weeks back (going bogey-free) yesterday my second of 2 goals for '07 happened.

Wow, insane back nine. Congratulations.

[FIJIGolf23]

Congrats!

But just over 6000 yards from the tips? Short course.

[Ben]

Thanks, I was, and still am very excited.

Yeah, it's a bit on the short side. I don't know if you deal with Kikuya grass in TN, but the whole course, except the greens, is Kikuya. Not much roll, if any in the fairways, and forget about the rough. It's got its defences for being so short. There are elevation changes and the par 3s are beasts of holes, minus #3. Not to mention the wind we get from November to March. 1 to 3 club winds, everyday.

It's funny you mention the length, during this round I was hitting irons off the tee where I'd normally hit driver or 4wood to lengthen the course a bit, and give myself 6, 7 or 8 iron into greens where I'd normally have some type of wedge shot. Didn't phase me a bit.

[FIJIGolf23]

Never even heard of Kikuya grass. Mostly just Bent, Bermuda, and Zoysia grass around here. I wasn't trying to take anything away from ya though, we have some short courses around here.

I just wish I could get the putts to start falling for me.

[iacas]

Never even heard of Kikuya grass. Mostly just Bent, Bermuda, and Zoysia grass around here. I wasn't trying to take anything away from ya though, we have some short courses around here.

I've played Kikuyu. You've gotta accelerate the club even on chips or your club just stops.

That being said, 6090 isn't a long course. You still should carry off the tee pretty far.

[BritBoy]

Well, yesterday was the day. After having met my first goal two weeks back (going bogey-free) yesterday my second of 2 goals for '07 happened.

Like I said before, I'm jealous. The bogey free round was great, but this is phenomenal!!!

Looking at the slope and rating on the card I'm guess that there are a lot of OB's or water hazards.

[cbe_golfer]

What a round!. Congrats. We'll see you on TV soon.

[thumper07]

wow that is a great round, i have wet dreams about rounds like that. but that course is short, my home course plays 6500 from the mids, but they are in the process of shortening by 220yds.

-matt

but seriously though, when are you going to Q-school?

[Ben]

Thanks guys, appreciate it!

cbe, Yeah, to make it to TV would be outstanding.

BritBoy you've got it right. Being short means it's also narrow. There is OB on everyhole, Most holes even have it on both sides.

thumper. Q-school. Well, up until these last few weeks, I really didn't think I was ready to plunk down $4500. Actually I still don't think it. I am very close though. I do play mini tour (gstour.com) and PGA section events whenever my schedule, and bank account let me. I think with one more year of minitour play, and my newly found dedication to practice, next year, that'll be the one. I'd ideally like to end up playing the Japanese PGA Tour.

[CG031]

That's crazy man, just crazy.

[Dent]

Thats impressive, I envy you. Someday i shall be able to do that. As you get older how do you stay good? Like most men I know they are good in their junior like me then get worse and worse, how do you stay good?

[Shindig]

I'd ideally like to end up playing the Japanese PGA Tour.

Just curious: why the Japanese tour and not the US PGA Tour?

And congratulations, of course!

Thats impressive, I envy you. Someday i shall be able to do that. As you get older how do you stay good? Like most men I know they are good in their junior like me then get worse and worse, how do you stay good?

I'd like to think my advice will be useful, despite my handicap:

Keep practicing, keep enjoying the game, and keep your focus. There are plenty of people who will tell you that you can't do this or that, can't succeed at this, golf is boring - why play it?, etc. Ignore those folks. You've got the right mindset, the talent, and the skills. Use them! Don't let things drag your life that you don't need to. For example, while not golf specific, I know a great many guys who are in careers they'd rather not be in, or aren't far along in their career, or who didn't go to graduate school, or their top-choice undergrad school despite being accepted, and so on, on account of a girlfriend. I'm not saying don't date, but if being good enough at golf to have a career of it is your goal, keep your focus on your goals. And, of course, keep up with your studies, both as a backup and for NCAA eligibility.

[Leek]

Well, yesterday was the day. After having met my first goal two weeks back (going bogey-free) yesterday my second of 2 goals for '07 happened.

Congratulations! Great job

[Ben]

Thats impressive, I envy you. Someday i shall be able to do that. As you get older how do you stay good? Like most men I know they are good in their junior like me then get worse and worse, how do you stay good?

Sheesh. I am old, but not old old (31). hahaha. Like shindig said, desire to be good is a big part. I also work at a club and get to play and practice as much as I want. I hit the gym to keep in shape. I was, and still am, not the biggest hitter. I don't nor didn't ever try to swing for the fences. I think that's been in a big part of keeping my back in good shape.

The girlfriend part shindig mentions makes a lot of sense too. A girlfriend, while there are always exception to the rule, will more than likely want more and more of the time you need for yourself and your practice. I figure there will be plenty of girls wanting my attention after I make it big. Now it is time to focus on golf.

Just curious: why the Japanese tour and not the US PGA Tour?

Of course the US PGA is the ultimate goal, but, I'd be prefectly happy spending my days on the JPGA. I lived there in the past and absolutely love everytying about the place. The money isn't as big, but still plenty big enough to make a decent living. Plus, being a foreigner, who speaks the language, I'm sure I'd get some serious endorsement deals.

[FIJIGolf23]

Of course the US PGA is the ultimate goal, but, I'd be prefectly happy spending my days on the JPGA. I lived there in the past and absolutely love everytying about the place. The money isn't as big, but still plenty big enough to make a decent living. Plus, being a foreigner, who speaks the language, I'm sure I'd get some serious endorsement deals.

That's pretty cool that you can speak Japanese. I am doing an engineering co-op for a Japanese company, DENSO, this year. The language is fascinating. I'd love to take the classes they offer, but they are only for full time employees.

[Ben]

That's pretty cool that you can speak Japanese. I am doing an engineering co-op for a Japanese company, DENSO, this year. The language is fascinating. I'd love to take the classes they offer, but they are only for full time employees.

It's not that tough a language to learn. Granted, I wanted to learn it, so it made it easier for me. Hit up your local JR College! That's where I got my feet wet in the language.

[billybaroo]

damn....that's impressive !