Ben

Today was the day, US Open local qualifying. Great tee shots, good putting, questionable approach shots, lack-luster chipping = +4, 75. Better luck next year. damn. I really felt good this morning too. Had a great day of practice at the host course, Oakmont CC (74.6/138/7015) the day before. Spent two hours putting and played the front 9 in the late afternoon. On top of that I have experience at this course. I've played here about six times now. The first assistant, Donny, used to work at my club, and my head pro is pals with the head pro here... Anyway, I was ready! Started on 10. Super pulled one into trees off the tee, hit it solid at least! Hit a great 4iron to 105y then hit a wedge to 20'. Put a great roll on the par putt but it died on the low side. Feel good bogey actually. Hole 2(11) is a par 3 that was playing up. Short is dead, big drop off in front. From 139y and into a 1/2 club breeze, I hit a 9i to 4'. Downhill, good read, GREAT greens, Center cup! back to even. 3(12) is a good hole. Hit a nice, stinging fade drive to within 8i range. Kinda hung that 8 out to the right. Perfect distance though. Didn't get up and down... 4(13) A bit of a duplicate to the last hole. Long, straight par4. Kinda skank popped my drive to 194y to the pin. 183 yto the front from a bit of an awkward stance, I hit a 6, 184y no roll... Anyway, nice two-putt, nice par. 5(14) One of my favorite holes. 394y par 4. Dogleg right. Frozen rope 2h tee shot. So solid! I was left with 157y to a back pin. Figured I only needed to hit it 150y and it was downwind a bit. Tried to hit a high, bleeding fade 8, tried. I ended up hitting a high, laser beam 8. Perfect distance, wrong line. Crazy kick long. Hit a really nice flop from there to 12' but missed the putt... I still like that hole though! 6(15) Another fun dogleg right par 4. This one has a concrete river basin running along the right. And big oak trees just left of that further guard anything a bit right. I cranked a fade out there. A bit more right then I was looking for, but it worked out nice. The rules official out there said it was the best drive he had seen yet. I had 132y to a pin back and left. Into that 1/2 club breeze. Got a bit aggressive with the line on my 9iron. Great distance again, but pulled it, missed the green left. A funky chip left me 7' and I made that putt for par. 7(16) Fun par 3. 144y, green slightly above the level of the tee and big, deep bunkers surround the green add to its daunting nature. The pin was at 149y and still into that 1/2 club wind. I can hit a full 8 160y that would have got me pin high, but the pin was right on a down slope. I felt like that 8 would have spun back forever. So I look to hit a high, drawing, cut-off 7. Well, it was all of the above, and pure! So pure, that the wind did not, even, touch, it. Flies on a perfect line to the back of the green and kicks to what I think is just long. We get back there to find that it is just long, but also in one of those deep bunkers. I had no idea it was back there too?! Anyway, I was feeling this shot! Took some practice swing in the grass, got the visual, a few more practice swings in the bunker, go. So pretty, looked like it had a chance of going in for a quick second. Ends up 3' just right. Three old dudes were there watching too. I made the putt, they applauded! That felt good! 8(17) Nice drive, solid approach to 25', 3-putt!! Bogey. Done with it, don't want to talk about it. 9(18) This hole is dumb, 646y par 5. Dogleg left off the tee, then dogleg right to the green. Yes, I just said that. Huge old trees guarding anything that doesn't fit. My tee shot didn't fit. It was solid, but stayed right. Had a gnarly thick lie in the rough. Chopped a 5iron out, to the right side of the fairway. The huge old trees show their might. I was 200y+ out and no look at the green. I can cut the ball hard too, but I had nothing. Ended up hitting a great 8iron down the fairway which left me a nice look from 108y right up to the hole from the middle of the fairway. I pick the wrong shot and only manage to hit it to 35', The green is sloped from back to front and it just spun too too much. Anyway, bogey there puts me at +4 after the front... great. To the back/front! Hole 10(1) Par 5 great, time to get this back! It requires a bit of finesse off the tee. Its a dogleg left where the sensible play is to hit 3 wood, or try and bend a 3wood around the corner, the fairway runs out on a straight line from the tee at 270y. There are tall, burly pine trees and OB left so bombing a driver over the corner is not really an option. I want to crank a high 3 wood on a tight line over the corner. I crank it, its high, but just pulled. Its safe, I knew it would be, but just too far left. Thick lie 3 iron chop to the right rough, 58* wedge from 72y chop to middle of the green, solid 2-putt and a par... 11(2) Fun hole time! 354y, hard dogleg left. Fairway runs out at about 240y from the tee. I try the same shot I did on the last tee shot, but this time with a 3 iron. This one worked! ooh it was sweet. Nutted, laser beam! I'm left with 103y, this pin is front right. With a 54* in hand I'm thinking pretty aggressive at this point, needing some birdies. I hit an okay shot. Kind of safety pushed one to 20'. Gave it a good roll, didn't drop. 12(3) Beast par-3, one of the hardest holes on the course! 187y, elevated tee over the concrete ravine. Sliver of a green, long from front to back, bunkers guard both sides. Oaks left. I hit a nice 6 iron but forgot about the wind, It was a tight draw that got caught and pushed left of the green. Perfect distance though! Found myself needing to hit a run-out flop shot. Hit the flop but it flew, luckily it turned into a spinny flop and I was left with a bendy 9'er. Made it, nice up and down, nice par! 13(4) Solid par-4, 374y. Something out of a video game really. Straight, narrow. A fairway bunker guards the left landing area starting at 270y, 300y to carry. I suppose some have that. I don't. Particularly not into the 1/2club wind that is back. I opt for 3wood off the tee. I crank it right at that bunker. Left myself 15y short of it. That was another pretty one from today. And so was the approach, finally, thankfully! I hit a laser, punch 7 from 155y to 4', center cup the putt. Finally another birdie! And just in time, cause hole 14(5) is another tough par 3.194y, propped up, flat green. Twin deep bunkers left and right of the green. Still got that 1/2club thing going, I pull 5 iron, thinking trap laser. Pin high, 3'. Second time today an official was there and I was given shot of the day title! It looked so good from the tee, I even had to call out a "go-in"! I roll the putt in center cup with no delay. Back to back birdies! Back to +2, and feeling on top of the world at that point. 15(6) Shortish par 4, but narrowwwww, concrete ravine right. I go for 3 wood and think the same as the last tee shot, trap laser. Gorgeous. At this point I was floating on air. I honestly think I floated to my ball in the middle of the fairway. I was 115y to the pin, not enough for my 54*, cut-off PW time. Little pull, 30', 2-putt, par. Can't be angry with a par. 16(7) Time for a little risk-reward. Again, shortish par 4, narrow, concrete ravine right. 297y... What to do...? The risk part; pot bunkers guarding the green from pulled driver tee shot. Starting at 40y short. I go for no risk! ha. 3 iron that I pull just a hair, I'm blocked by a smallish pine so can't take a direct line at the pin, but manage my 54* to 10' right and 15' short. Gave the putt a good look, but it died going uphill. Alright, par 5, time again. Hole 17(8) at 573y isn't a walk in the park though. Its a dogleg right. A straight drive won't kill you, but I didn't hit a straight drive. It goes right, and into the trees. All I have is a Seve-esque escape shot through an opening in some trees. I'm actually good at these, for some reason I can see a hole in a tree(s) and know what club's trajectory I can get through or over it... I have to admit, its a handy talent. I find myself needing it a bit too much though, ha. Anyway, I knock it through and to the fairway. Finishing 140y to a back pin. In hindsight, PW was the right play, but it didn't feel right at the time so I went soft 9iron. You know those shots that you swing so smooth and absolutely nuke a ball, this is one of those shots. Unfortunately. I don't get up and down and bogey a par 5, the 17th hole, after all that work... It was right there that it hit me, "I'm not going to advance, I'm not going to the US Open". I knew I couldn't do anything to make it through. But, I suck it up and walk to the next tee. Another one of those tough holes! Holes 18, 3 now 9. BEASTS! This monster, 18(9) , is a 465y par 4. Dogleg left that plays uphill on the tee shot. Then uphill and into the wind on the approach. The range, native area and huge trees guard the left, a bunker at 280y guards the run-out where the dogleg where the fairway ends. I always hit driver here, and I always hit it in that bunker. This time I figure I'll take a different approach. Play it like a short par 5. A nice 3 wood to 230y or so, a nice hybrid on or just short, a chip or a putt for par/birdie. I hit the solid 3 wood, hit an okay 2h to short right, hit an okay pitch to 5' and get burned by a misread. What a burn, like sting burn in my face. I totally thought I had that putt read. I put on the perfect stroke and it just rolled over the the edge and passed the cup. So, that's it. One goal of 2012 come and gone. Kind of sad, but I just have to keep going. I hit way too many good shots today. I know its in there. I'm caddying for my buddy Sam for his tomorrow. This kid is legit! He's playing at Industry Hills. Oakmont Leaderboard: http://www.ghintpp.com/scga/TPPOnlineScoring/ResultsStroke.aspx?id=539 All SoCal qualifiers: http://www.ghintpp.com/scga/tpponlinegolfer/default.aspx?SeasonID=13 Oakmont Scorecard: http://www.oakmontcc.com/page/62215_Scorecards.asp

Stage 7, just a little climbing... Stage 7, victory

Stage 4: Team Time Trial Stage 5: Stage 6 Team Androni Giocamotti - Velenzuela riding Bianchi Bikes for the win! Stage 6

The first of the three Grand Tours started last week. The Tour of Italy. As boring as it sounds to watch cylcing televised it makes for some great viewing. The Grand Tours are 21 days of riding 100+ mile courses with only three rest days in between. Monster climbs, super fast flats, The pros are absolute animals. Here's some shots from this past week... Stage 1, Individual Time Trial Stage 2 Cavendish powering to the finish Stage 3 Sprint Finish, the World Champ Cavendish eats it with the finish in site The aftermath...

Its not me, but a friend of mine is up your way for a Canadian Women's Tour event. http://golfcanada.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/rcga12/event/rcga122/contest/10/leaderboard.htm Look out for Moah!

The desert is so great! I love playing there. Went to Jr College there actually. PGA West's Stadium, Nicklaus or Norman courses. In that order for hard to easy golf. I'd recommend the La Quinta Resort over the Marriot. However, the Marriot is very nice too. Now is about the time to look for bargains too. The weather is just starting to turn HOT. Plan for August or July or June, if you're into heat that is...? Summer discounts can be had simply by calling the places directly. Here's some threads that have already been made about the subject: Link

Off the original subject, but I too remember some pretty harsh comments when I was at the Nissan Open at Riviera when he got a sponsors exemption at 16yo...It wasn't many guys, but I remember a few, and they weren't being very nice.

I'll speak from a point of view most here won't get to, professional golf. No, its not all about the long ball. Golf is about getting the ball in the hole, not necessarily how you get it there. I've played with all types of players, long and a little wild, long and accurate, short and wild, short and accurate. There is an aspect that no one has even mentioned yet, Putting. We can all get the ball to green, but the guys that are winning these tournaments are the guys who's putter is on fire. Scoring comes from having enough control of your ball, and making putts. Two examples. Jeff Hart, and Eric Meichtry. Both play and have great records on the Golden State Tour, Jeff has had some success on the PGA Tour and is now a member of the Champions Tour. Eric is on the verge of breaking through. I've played with both. Jeff is the short and accurate. I've played at least six rounds with him, and have seen him miss two shots. TWO! The guy is short, I'm sure he'll admit it, but the guy is so consistent, so great at getting the ball in the hole. Eric is Jeff but with distance. I remember I played a round with him where he shot -5. It was bogey-free, and he honestly missed four great looks at birdie. Both guys blow my mind when I get the chance to play with them. Bomber, Short-Knocker, doesn't matter. Its really all about rolling the rock.

Callaway/Odyssey and Bridgestone. They give me free stuff! :) I really do like the Callaway line of clubs. Bridgestone balls are crazy good too. Nike clothes and shoes and great. Comfortable and good fit. If I had to pay for equipment. I think my bag would be Ping S58 irons. Callaway drivers, fwy woods and hybrids and Bridgestone balls. I really don't care for TaylorMade. Although they seem to make a quality product, I feel as though they've over marketed themselves. Throwing equipment at anyone who comes along.

Ten, with six of them in a row. My home course.

PCH ride today from Topanga CYN to Neptune's Net on the Ventura County border. 46.3 miles. Hit a new top speed of 50.3MPH! http://app.strava.com/rides/8070600

Nope, no cramping at night. And for as tired as I was after and thinking it would be some time before I try that route again, I think I'll tackle it again sooner then later. treebound, you do any winter rides out there in WI? I was watching some cycling clips online and there was a race early in the season where there was snow on the ground! NUTS!

58 freakin' miles!!! http://app.strava.com/rides/7868611 My longest ride to date. Man my legs hate me right now. Holy cow. It took me at least a minute before my legs would want to straighten up enough to let me off my bike. Then I had to take a break halfway up the staircase cause they just didn't want to function. It'll be a bit before I try this ride again!

Rory is TOO good! Isn't it "I hates..." [/oldfart] :)

A draw. I've been so fade dominant this last year that I'd completely lost it. Didn't miss it until I went back to the course where I have US Open qualifying. Its not a draw course per se, but having it would come in handy on a few holes. I'm coming closer to hitting one. Hit a few nice ones in play today. Need a lot of work on controlling it though! Only 11 more days...

Road biking hit me HARD this last year! And now, hunting for great deals on upgrade parts keeps my spare hours filled. Driving my car is something I'm going to spend more time doing this summer. Lots of fun canyon driving, not to mention the Pacific Coast Highway. Chasing girls is always fun. Languages. I speak Japanese and am learning Korean. Helpful girl chasing tools! Gambling. My love/hate relationship. We're currently separated, which isn't a bad thing. Craps, Blackjack and Hold'em are my games. Painting with spray paint.

Nice looking course. Good position at the top. Quality shot, framing of the subject and background. Solid 9 The Pharoah's: 10

Building my Class of '94 playlist on Spotify Primus, Sonic Youth, Nirvana and more... Memmmm o rieeeeess

Well, still pretty slow in the way of competition rounds. I did play a pro-am today however. It was at Hacienda CC in La Habra Heights. This course is legit! Built in 1920. Big mature trees. Almost tight fairways, just fair. Plush but manageable rough. Smooth greens. I managed to avoid all but one bunker, which was a fairway bunker and I was able to get a GIR there. 6600y from the Blues (73.3/139), there's a Black tee too. I started out hot; par, birdie, birdie. Shotgun start on hole 16. Good look on 1 and 2. Then I went away from hitting controlled half shots, punches and cut-off shots. When I did go back to that shot I was getting in birdie chances. I guess I shoulda stuck with that plan the entire round. Oh well, now I know. I ended up +3, but for as much as I slopped the ball around, I really made it look pretty. That's probably the best round I've had hitting the ball so poorly. Kept it in play and managed to take advantage of a few holes. This was all while getting to the course with 30minutes to spare and having only rolled a few putts. No range warm-up. http://www.haciendagolfclub.com/html/index.cfm?CID=136# http://www.haciendagolfclub.com/userfiles/file/Hacienda_Golf_Club_Scorecards.pdf

First time making a trip around the San Fernando Valley. Wasn't so bad. 37.3miles in all. In 2h5m http://app.strava.com/rides/7451280

Cold weather helps and hurts my distance at my course. In cold weather the course plays hard and fast. So I bomb drives in the winter. In warm weather the kikuya fairways become thick and lush. I've seen driver ball marks about a foot from my ball. In cold weather I'm bundled up in layers. I try and make them as light and free-moving as possible, but sometimes I do feel restricted. I can't help to think that cuts some distance. And as also mentioned, cold air is more dense then warm. wikipedia told me so . So with the dense cold air, my ball will lose distance. We range from 50* days to 110*days. From experience, I say I lose 1/4 club playing in cold. Nothing very significant

13th on the Money List 14th FedEx Cup 90th OWGR !!

25.5 miles through Newport Beach and Irvine. http://app.strava.com/rides/7247505 First time riding in wet conditions

I checked in on him when I woke up Thursday to see he didn't have a single par on his opening nine. I was pretty sad to see what had happened. But man oh man did he turn this tournament around! HUH!

The Riviera CC Los Angeles CC Bel Aire CC Sherwood CC Saticoy CC Oakmont CC Industry Hills We've got it made in LA. Then Palm Springs is only two hours away.