Mini Tour Play

[Ben]

Ah to play good. Such an uplift to the golf confidence.

3-under par 69 got me a tie for 4th in yesterday's Golden State Tour event at Temecula Creek Inn : http://www.gstour.com/results.php?to...EEK+INN+052410

Got off to a rocky start (The Creek Course) missing the first two greens, but made two really nice up and downs. From short of the green to a back pin on #1. On hole 2 from bunker which left me short-sided hitting to a downhill slope. Hit it to 2', no sweat! Didn't take advantage of the first par-5 either. Then didn't get up and down on the 5th hole and suffered my first bogey. The 6th didn't go so hot either. A good tee shot left me in the fairway, but I pulled 9 iron which left me off the green. I tried putting through the fringe but came up woefully short. I left myself 11' for par, and thankfully sunk that one. After sparing myself from going bogey bogey I stepped up to the 7th hole, a par-3 and almost aced it. Left myself a nice and easy 2 inch birdie! One bogey, one birdie on the front.

To the back. (The Oaks Course) Birdie, birdie, birdie on 10, 11 and 12. Just what the doctor ordered. The par-4 10 was a nice 3w and 54* wedge to 10'. 11 a par-5, I hit a solid drive then a nice 3wood over the green. Up and down to 3' from a somewhat slippery chip. Then 12 was one of my better shots of the day. A par-3 that was playing 178y, with a stiff wind from right to left. I played a cut off 6iron that ended up 9' from the pin. There was never a doubt on the putt. Even as I was reading it and lining it up I knew the thing was going in. Probably one of the best three hole stretches I've played in a while, particularly since it was a mix of all three types of holes.

An unfortunate bogey on 13 kinda set me back. Its a tough hole that always plays into the wind. I thought I had a good handle on club selection, but now know that its a 2-club not 1-club wind. I missed the green short, should have got up and down, but didn't control my right hand on the chip and the ball got away from me. 14 almost spelled disaster for me too, but a cool head proved to make for a good recovery. My tee shot was blocked a little right, but from the tee looked alright. Turns out I landed in an entanglement of tree roots. I was 151y to the pin and in an effort to save my wrists and club, I figured I'd just try and skim a 5-iron to the green. Well what I thought would happen did. A little piecce of root right in front of my ball kicked the club high and right, but good fortune, my ball hit the cart path which kicked the ball toward the green, not on, but pin high. The bad fortune, from where I lay, the pin was five paces on the green which sloped pretty severely from right to left (from my angle), and my ball was 10 paces from the edge of the fringe. What a flop shot I played! Phil Mickelson would have been proud. High and soft it landed will on the green, took the break and stopped a few inches from the hole.

I had a rare chance on the next hole. 212y of a par-3 dead into the wind. I played a high cut 2hybrid that finished about 4' from the pin. A chance to post 3-under on the par-3s, but I got too wrapped up in that and missed the putt! But I did take advantage on the following par-5 where a solid driver and awesome 4 iron left me about 25'. Stroked a great putt but it didn't drop. Another tap-in birdie is always nice. 17 and 18 were pretty uneventful. Two solid pars.

Highlights of the day: 25 putts! The 5iron the inches on 7. Birdie, birdie, birdie on 10, 11, 12. Up and down on 14.

[James_Black]

nice work!
Seems like things are coming together for you.
good luck!

[OCdude12]

Nice work Ben! Curious, whats the average age of the guys in these events? Looks like you're playing another event this week, hope you hit em well.

On another note, I played against Danny Buell in high school, nice to see another name I recognize. Looks like he's been playing well lately. For a guy that age, what other events is he playing in you think to be able to pay the rent every month? I think it'd be real sweet to have the chance to play for a living and see how far you you can take it. Gotta get the game in a little better shape first.

[Ben]

Nice work Ben! Curious, whats the average age of the guys in these events? Looks like you're playing another event this week, hope you hit em well.

Thanks!

Average age, I'd say... 26. Jeff Hart is the only old timer I know, I think he's about 45 or so, but he kicks ass. And yeah, playing my first 3-day event tomorrow at Oak Valley (QSchool 2nd stage course) Oh, you know Danny? Like you mentioned he's been really hot lately! He won this month's shootout event which earned him free entry fees for the month. Then that same week he won the 3-day event. And I'm pretty sure he's cashed in all the otehr events he's played. That goes a long way towards paying the bills. I like him. A bit unassuming. Smaller build, not flashy at all, pretty quite. First time I played with him he shot 75 or 76, obviously a bad day for him.

[enis750]

thx for the updates again Ben
I love reading this thread
I see u got some new conforming gear lately - it hasnt affected u too much?

I recently played some tourney's (nothing huge at all, a match and medal play)
played some of the worst golf yet this year
its amazing how much the "atmosphere" changes your mind
my heart was beating so hard on the first tee - there was about 15 people watching, including the club pro (my new coach) and his 3 assistants
luckily i striped that one......then i fell apart after that hole!! hahaha!

good luck at your next event bro!

[Ben]

thx for the updates again Ben

I put the clubs into tournament play just two days after I got them and I placed in that tournament. I'd like to say they've helped my game. I'm more consistent with my spin. I have to to rip a wedge back off a green, nor have to be extra cautious in worry of doing so. I get my yardage and play for one hop and stop. Maybe a bit of backspin depending on the angle of the green.

I remember when I first starting playing events, I got nervous and played some awful golf too. You'll get over it. I try and channel Freddie Couples now. Cool as a cucumber. Golf is a game and its fun, no reason to stress out over anything.

[IcemanYVR]

I remember when I first starting playing events, I got nervous and played some awful golf too. You'll get over it. I try and channel Freddie Couples now. Cool as a cucumber. Golf is a game and its fun, no reason to stress out over anything.

I have an inner Freddie Couples as well, but it's usually my inner Woody Austin that comes out first :-B

love the updates Ben... again, thanks for sharing

[enis750]

I have an inner Freddie Couples as well, but it's usually my inner Woody Austin that comes out first :-B

that right there ^^^ is some funny chit!! hahaha!!!!

Woddy Austin...hahaha!!!!

[youngskip40]

I put the clubs into tournament play just two days after I got them and I placed in that tournament. I'd like to say they've helped my game. I'm more consistent with my spin. I have to to rip a wedge back off a green, nor have to be extra cautious in worry of doing so. I get my yardage and play for one hop and stop. Maybe a bit of backspin depending on the angle of the green.

Totally agree with this. I just replaced my 58 degree with a conforming wedge and love how it performs... more importantly, I love what it

doesn't do, i.e. spin back 30 feet. I feel like I can actually attack back pins now. =) Add me to the list of people that really enjoy reading these updates. Keep up the good play.

[Ben]

Stinkin golf!!! hahaha

Just got cut from my first Golden State Tour ROEL event. Its a separate tour consisting of 3-day events. $1200 to enter, make the cut, make your money back at least. http://gstproseries.com/ . shot 75 round 1 and another tidy 75 on day 2 today. Bleh. I love this golf course so much too, Oak Valley in Beaumont (QSchool 2nd stage course) I just can't keep it under par there.

Day 1 I had 4 birdies, but I couldn't manage to stay away from the mistakes, which to my great pleasure, would happen right after birdieing. Hooray! A great end to a great round[/sarcasm] Double bogeyed the par 5 9th (started on the back nine) I was only 1 over going into the hole. Its a reachable one too. A good drive would have left me with no more than a 3 iron in. bah. Oh well.

Day 2, I had my eye on the prize. I figured I would need to shoot 5 under, but really had 7 under worked out in my game plan. I got off to a perfect start too, birdied the first. had a nice looking chance at birdie on 2 as well. Then kinda went into neutral. all pars from there until... number stinkin' 9. Which I doubled again ... damn! Long story short I ended up 3 over again after the second day, and missed the cut by 9. Great!

The positives. Except for a couple dumb swings I played really solid. Made some really good tee shots, approach shots and chips. Putting was a little off, but didn't miss a single putt from 4' and in, which I had a lot of. Did figure out something from watching my playing partner (Sam Cyr, who went 68, 67 and is in 2nd place). He was dropping putts from all over the place. 4' to 35'. He gives a little extra attention to his reads, which I could stand to do. Anyway, gonna be kinda quite on the GSTour in June. Have one event on the 14th and three events at the end of the month.

Shot of the day: 2h from 237y on the par-5 16th to 1.5'. Gotta love tap in eagles! Not a push over shot either. The front of the green and the left side of the fairway from 200y in is protected by a lake.

[enis750]

dude...$1200 to enter and missed the cut...ooouch!!!!!
was this outta your pocket too?
but like you said....STINKIN GOLF!! hahah!

i hate those rounds where you play really solid and dont shoot low
I had a similar round today, where i putted great (finally...), played pretty good but only had one birdie - i am usually good for 2-3 / round
shot a 77 but literally left 3 birdies on the lip waiting for the wind to blow it in!! hahaha!!

ah well Ben, keep your head up, prepare for the next one and have fun w it bro

[Ben]

dude...$1200 to enter and missed the cut...ooouch!!!!!

Yeap, $1200, of my own money. I haev the money (for now) so I don't want to depend on playing with someone else's cash. The story of Ben Hogan goes, that he played until he was down to his last tournament and a bag of oranges to eat, then, well, you know the rest of his story. It stings pretty bad giving up that much money on one event, but, Its cool. I learned a lot about playing with the guy I played with both days, Sam Cyr. He got the job done (ultimately finishing 2nd in the event), and not like I've seen others that make it look easy. He played as though it was his job, took things very seriously when he was preparing to hit and made it work. I'm super stoked for my upcoming events. Wednesday is my next. I plan on kicking major ass!

[sean_miller]

Yeap, $1200, of my own money. I haev the money (for now) so I don't want to depend on playing with someone else's cash. The story of Ben Hogan goes, that he played until he was down to his last tournament and a bag of oranges to eat, then, well, you know the rest of his story. It stings pretty bad giving up that much money on one event, but, Its cool. I learned a lot about playing with the guy I played with both days, Sam Cyr. He got the job done (ultimately finishing 2nd in the event), and not like I've seen others that make it look easy. He played as though it was his job, took things very seriously when he was preparing to hit and made it work. I'm super stoked for my upcoming events. Wednesday is my next. I plan on kicking major ass!

Hopefully that was the "one step back" in the cliche! Onward and upward (where have I heard that?).

[enis750]

Yeap, $1200, of my own money. I haev the money (for now) so I don't want to depend on playing with someone else's cash. The story of Ben Hogan goes, that he played until he was down to his last tournament and a bag of oranges to eat, then, well, you know the rest of his story. It stings pretty bad giving up that much money on one event, but, Its cool. I learned a lot about playing with the guy I played with both days, Sam Cyr. He got the job done (ultimately finishing 2nd in the event), and not like I've seen others that make it look easy. He played as though it was his job, took things very seriously when he was preparing to hit and made it work. I'm super stoked for my upcoming events. Wednesday is my next. I plan on kicking major ass!

good luck on Wednesday bro

get out there and kick some ass and report back!

[Ben]

Grrrrrr. 16 straight pars, then bogey, double to finish.

Holy cow was I striping the ball. I was unconscious. Drives straight down the middle, approach shots close or at least on the green. I got behind the shot, saw what I wanted it to do, stepped up and went. What a disappointment with the putter though. Made absolutely nothing. I think I was trying too hard, didn't have that same confidence in being able to just let the putt happen like I was letting the shots happen.

Oh well. Better luck next time.

[Ben]

The Good News: My bad days are getting better. In my last three tournament rounds I have shot even twice and 4over.

The Bad News: That is still leaving me inches shy of the money.

Golden State Tour at Oak Valley on 6/25. A disgusting front nine that included a bogey, two doubles and a birdie. The back nine treated me a little better going even with two bogeys and two birdies. I love this golf course so much, it drives me crazy that I can't seem to score on it yet. Plus the GSTour plays there all the time, and it holds QSchool 2nd stage.. I gotta take this place down! Thankfully Casino Morongo treated me right and I was able to make up for the $300 entry fee for a few tournaments.

Golden State Tour at SCGA, 6/28. I've had some luck at this course in the past and was looking forward to a good result. Well, it didn't quite work. After going through the front at 2under, my normally rock solid short game let me down, as I failed to get up and down twice on the back, and I had a three putt! I finished the round with a birdie on 18 which got me back to even.

Pepsi Tour at Brookside, 6/30. What a fight this was yesterday. My driver and I were not on speaking terms. I don't know what was going on with that thing, but man I put myself in some weird spots. Thankfully they weren't terribly punishing,. Which is something I've really been working on, missing to the right spot. Other than my janky tee shots I was striping my irons and rolling in some solid putts. Bogeys on 3 and 6, bookended by birdies on 1 and 9 on the front nine. And the same on the back, with two birdies and two bogeys. Two of the stupidest bogeys ever I might add. I mean seriously. Two putts from 1.5'. yeah. That's just great. But, like I mentioned earlier I rolled in some monster long ones. So, the give and take of this crazy game.

Practice. I've really stepped up my practice regime lately. Instead of one bucket of balls with my 58*, 8 and 5 iron. I know go through my intire bag. Well, the irons at least, we have a short range here and we are restricted from hitting woods. So my irons are super sharp. I usually go through about three to four buckets in 2.5 hours. Then its off to the putting green for a while and on the course for at least 9 holes. Hooray for Summer time!

[James_Black]

where did you place in the tournaments?

Seems like you've been unlucky recently, hopefully you'll get a few good days.

[bogeyhitter25]

Good luck with the rest of the year man. There's still a lot of 2k10 left for you to make some serious cash.