This week's Golden State Tour event at La Purisima was not was I was hoping for. It is one of the toughest courses I will play all year, but a very fair course at the same time. My scores of 84-78 were the highest I have shot in years in a tournament but I am not as down about my game as one might think. My putting was atrocious as I had 36 and 38 putts. Obviously I need to figure that part of my game out. But as for my swing and tee to green game, it is as strong as ever. The biggest weakness in my game lately is being able to ignore off-the-course distractions. It is easy to get down being on the road by yourself and I am having trouble focusing on only golf while on the golf course during my tournament rounds. This was a very strange week in that regard as I am striking the golf ball beautifully, yet put up embarrassing scores. I just had no intensity and had trouble focusing and getting in "the zone". I need to keep assessing my game and working hard. I know I am headed in the right direction as sometimes 1 step back helps you go 2 steps forward.
Upcoming are a couple 1-day events at The Bridges GC in San Ramond, CA. on Sunday May 2, followed by a pro-am at Callippe Preserve GC in Pleasanton, CA. on Monday May 3. Hopefully I can fine-tune the game over those rounds, put some cash in my pocket, and head down to Rancho Mirage, CA. with some confidence for the Golden State Tour's next stop May 5-7 at Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort.
'Til next time...long and straight...and don't forget to make those putts.

2010 season is underway

My 2010 competitive season has begun. After spending 7 months working at San Juan CC in Farmington, New Mexico, I returned home in March and got my game ready for competition. My first tournament back was the Nationwide Monday qualifier for the event being held at TPC Stonebrae in Hayward, CA. I was confident but nervous going into this and ended up playing very strong. I made a couple untimely swings and just missed qualifying, but was very encouraged by the differences I could see in my game. After this, I decided to sign up for the Golden State's Roel Series event held at Boundary Oaks GC in Walnut Creek, CA. later that week. With the pressure of putting a $1,000 entry fee on my credit card, I was confident, excited, and very nervous heading into this event. But with the work I put into making changes to my game, I knew I was a different player than the previous year. I knew I belonged out there and knew I could compete with the best. The field was very strong as it attracted many of the players attempting to qualify for the nationwide event that same week. Instead of letting this intimidate me, I looked at it as a great challenge to see just where my game stood after some big changes to my game in the off-season. After rounds of 69, 72, 70, I found myself in 7th place and taking home a check. I showed some signs of rust at times, but I was incredibly happy with how I played as a whole. To see the changes in my game producing under great pressure was very encouraging.
Next up is the Golden State Tour Roel Series event being held at La Purisima in Lompoc, CA. April 26-28. After a week off to work on my game and spend some extra time in the gym, I am excited to compete in another event. Look for daily bloggs/updates right here during the event!