It has been a while since my last blog and updated the website. I continued to struggle with my game throughout the spring months and became very frustrated. After a few tournaments with no checks, I decided to step back and reflect on everything in my life. I came to many conclusions but the bottom line was, I had no routines in my life. I was also very stressed financially and was not being efficient with my time. I took the last couple months to make changes to all of this. I moved back home with my parents to save rent money every month. I started working 5-7 afternoons a week between the golf course and Kepler's, and started getting back in the gym and on the golf course more routinely. I felt my overall strength had decreased considerably over the winter/spring months. With the help of my brother Trevor in the gym, I have been able to get into the best "golf shape" of my life. Once that started taking shape, along with having fewer financial burdens, I then attacked the golf. My days have become filled with practice in the morning, followed by a couple hours in the gym, followed by work in the afternoons. Gradually my game started to show signs that it was coming back into form. It didn't all come back over night, but I knew I was starting to feel different on the golf course.
A turning point was my practice round for U.S. Open qualifying. I went out with good friend Elliot Paylor who plays on the Canadian Tour, and his good friend Tony who is an accomplished amateur golfer in his own right, and shot a 5 under, 67. Both Elliot and I are sponsored by Kepler's Golf Repair so there was a lot of pride and bragging rights on the table that day. I have never felt like the underdog before, but I don't think anybody in the shop, including myself, thought I had a chance in hell at beating Elliot. This feeling bugged me a lot and I knew it was time to put an end to my poor play. I went out that round extremely focused and played the most solid round of golf I have played in many months. After that 67, I felt like the old Brett. The last piece of the puzzle was finally settling in on my equipment. I had felt so uncomfortable with all parts of my game for so long this winter/spring, that it seemed like there was no golf club that seemed to be right. After finding a good head/shaft combination in my new driver, and going away from blades for the first time with my irons, I feel like I am back to my old form.
This past Monday I played a Pepsi Tour event at Poppy Ridge Golf Course where conditions were tough and the field was strong. I hit 16 greens in regulation in very windy conditions and was in complete control of my entire game. It was one of those days where I hit a lot of good putts, but they just wouldn't drop. I finished t2 and took home my first check in quite some time. I am excited and confident for my upcoming events and will be updating the site, and blogging more frequently.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I have played a few more tournaments since my 2nd place finish in my pro debut at Metropolitan Golf Course back on Jan. 18th and 19th. It has been an educational experience so far filled with many ups and downs as expected. I have been competing on The Pepsi Tour and The Players Golf Tour. I struggled in some tough weather conditions on tough courses but managed to break even in 3, 1 day events at Wente Vineyards Golf Course, Crow Canyon Country Club, and The Bridges Golf Course. As my play wasn't my best, I took away some good and some bad from these events. I was frustrated with my struggles on the course and dejected knowing I would need to play much better in future events if I planned to have success, make money, and climb the ranks. However, after seeing guys on the PGA Tour struggle like Steve Stricker shooting 77 after shooting 62, 61 the previous 2 rounds in the Bob Hope, or Phil Mickelsone shooting 8 over in his 2009 debut at the FBR Open, I realized even the best don't have it all the time. Golf is too hard to do well all of the time. I think I have been pressing too hard in the beginning to help convince myself I can do this. I've been putting too much pressure on myself to not lose the money my parents have been fronting for these entry fees. I have been getting in my own way and need to just let myself go play golf. I need to be patient, trust my ability, and keep that confidence that has always been the best club in my bag.
Yesterday I competed in another Pepsi Tour event at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore. It was the strongest field I have competed against so far as a professional. One player on the Nationwide Tour, three others from the Canadian Tour, and others who have competed in PGA Tour events. The weather was brutal. The high for the day was 50 degrees excluding the windchill factor which felt like 35 the entire day. I fought all day hovering between -1 and +1 throughout the round. I finished with a birdie on #18 to shoot even par, 72, for the day and finish in a tie for 2nd. I cashed my largest check as a pro and once again, came away with a lot of experience. It has been nice to have a couple top finishes so quickly. It might sound wierd, but I think I have also been lucky to experience some struggles so far as well. 2008 was a year filled with so much success, I didn't have to deal with the struggles I have encountered already in 2009. I have learned so much at such little cost. I feel very fortunate. The more people I talk to, and the more tournaments I follow on T.V. and the computer, the more I realize that the same people that win tournaments, are the same people that miss cuts and shoot bad scores at times. Golf is too hard of a game for it to not kick you in the butt and send you to the ground from time to time.
I am also feeling the pressure of possibly not having enough money to travel and compete as planned for the 2009 season. I think the pressure of trying to raise some money quickly on my own through my first few events has held my play back as well. I am learning that it is very tough to go out with a clear head and simply play golf in the pro ranks. I am continuing to work hard trying to raise money through contract proposals and donations, while also working hard on my game. I appreciate all who are following and supporting me in any way they can. I am enjoying this adventure thus far and experiencing and learning so much, very quickly. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions and hope you are enjoying this experience!
Yesterday I competed in another Pepsi Tour event at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore. It was the strongest field I have competed against so far as a professional. One player on the Nationwide Tour, three others from the Canadian Tour, and others who have competed in PGA Tour events. The weather was brutal. The high for the day was 50 degrees excluding the windchill factor which felt like 35 the entire day. I fought all day hovering between -1 and +1 throughout the round. I finished with a birdie on #18 to shoot even par, 72, for the day and finish in a tie for 2nd. I cashed my largest check as a pro and once again, came away with a lot of experience. It has been nice to have a couple top finishes so quickly. It might sound wierd, but I think I have also been lucky to experience some struggles so far as well. 2008 was a year filled with so much success, I didn't have to deal with the struggles I have encountered already in 2009. I have learned so much at such little cost. I feel very fortunate. The more people I talk to, and the more tournaments I follow on T.V. and the computer, the more I realize that the same people that win tournaments, are the same people that miss cuts and shoot bad scores at times. Golf is too hard of a game for it to not kick you in the butt and send you to the ground from time to time.
I am also feeling the pressure of possibly not having enough money to travel and compete as planned for the 2009 season. I think the pressure of trying to raise some money quickly on my own through my first few events has held my play back as well. I am learning that it is very tough to go out with a clear head and simply play golf in the pro ranks. I am continuing to work hard trying to raise money through contract proposals and donations, while also working hard on my game. I appreciate all who are following and supporting me in any way they can. I am enjoying this adventure thus far and experiencing and learning so much, very quickly. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions and hope you are enjoying this experience!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Professional Debut
I teed it up as a professional this past weekend for the first time in my career. I played in a Pepsi Tour event January 18th and 19th at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, California and took second place with rounds of 69, 72=141(-3). It was such a great experience and one which I will reflect on for a long time.
As much as I wanted to just tee it up and think of it as another round of golf, it was hard to ignore the fact that once I hit that first tee shot, there was no turning back. I was playing with my own money for the first time and there was a lot more on the line now. Ironically enough, I was more nervous the days leading up to the tournament, including the morning of that first round, than I was once I got out on the course. I was afraid I would have trouble that front 9 adjusting to the new arena, but was pleasantly surprised how relaxed I was once I teed up my ball on the first hole. Once I teed up my ball on the first hole and began my pre-shot routine, I became very relaxed and confident and knew I was in the right place, doing the right thing with my life.
The tournament was filled with many highs and lows. I started off my professional career by holing out from 48 yards on the very first hole for eagle! I followed that with a few more birdies and one bogie to shoot 32(-4) on my front 9. I was hitting it great but wasn't comfortable with my chipping and putting as a result of some unfortunate equipment problems. My putter head came lose the previous week and did not feel the same after re-setting it. And my new lob wedge had not arrived so I was stuck using my old one that was not spinning anymore. I hit it great the rest of that first round but could not find the bottom of the cup with my putter if my life depended on it. I threw away many scoring opportunities and turned in a 69. If someone had told me going into that round that I would shoot 69 in my first round as a professional, I would have taken it in a second. However, once I was on the course and 4 under par early, 69 was disappointing. Still, I was in good position and only 1 back of the leader J.T. Kohut. J.T. is a very talented and decorated player who won the Pepsi Tour order of merit in 2008, doubling the season earnings of the 2nd place player. He has played in numerous PGA Tour events so I was excited to be right there with him after the first round, but knew I would have to bring it in the final round.
I had a great warm up session before the final round and was surprised to get on the course and not see the same results I had seen on the practice tee warming up. I struggled early with my ball striking and the poor putting continued. J.T. was running away with the title as he was 5 under par on his round through 10 holes and I was 4 over par. I regrouped on the 11th tee and focused on finishing strong in hopes of beating out Issac Weintraub for 2nd place. It was a small field which resulted in a small payout. 2nd place would recieve a $450 check while 3rd place would walk away with nothing. I made some not-so-pretty pars on 11, 12, and 13 but was still 1 shot behind Issac. I focused on slowing down my tempo and started hitting better golf shots down the stretch. I finished birdie, par, eagle, birdie, par to climb my way back into 2nd place, 3 shots clear of Issac, posting an even par round of 72. I signed my scorecard and took home my first paycheck as a professional golfer.
Clearly the tournament was filled with peaks and valleys, but overall it was a great success and a very positive start to my professional career. How many people can tell the story that they holed out from the fairway for eagle on their first hole as a professional?
As much as I wanted to just tee it up and think of it as another round of golf, it was hard to ignore the fact that once I hit that first tee shot, there was no turning back. I was playing with my own money for the first time and there was a lot more on the line now. Ironically enough, I was more nervous the days leading up to the tournament, including the morning of that first round, than I was once I got out on the course. I was afraid I would have trouble that front 9 adjusting to the new arena, but was pleasantly surprised how relaxed I was once I teed up my ball on the first hole. Once I teed up my ball on the first hole and began my pre-shot routine, I became very relaxed and confident and knew I was in the right place, doing the right thing with my life.
The tournament was filled with many highs and lows. I started off my professional career by holing out from 48 yards on the very first hole for eagle! I followed that with a few more birdies and one bogie to shoot 32(-4) on my front 9. I was hitting it great but wasn't comfortable with my chipping and putting as a result of some unfortunate equipment problems. My putter head came lose the previous week and did not feel the same after re-setting it. And my new lob wedge had not arrived so I was stuck using my old one that was not spinning anymore. I hit it great the rest of that first round but could not find the bottom of the cup with my putter if my life depended on it. I threw away many scoring opportunities and turned in a 69. If someone had told me going into that round that I would shoot 69 in my first round as a professional, I would have taken it in a second. However, once I was on the course and 4 under par early, 69 was disappointing. Still, I was in good position and only 1 back of the leader J.T. Kohut. J.T. is a very talented and decorated player who won the Pepsi Tour order of merit in 2008, doubling the season earnings of the 2nd place player. He has played in numerous PGA Tour events so I was excited to be right there with him after the first round, but knew I would have to bring it in the final round.
I had a great warm up session before the final round and was surprised to get on the course and not see the same results I had seen on the practice tee warming up. I struggled early with my ball striking and the poor putting continued. J.T. was running away with the title as he was 5 under par on his round through 10 holes and I was 4 over par. I regrouped on the 11th tee and focused on finishing strong in hopes of beating out Issac Weintraub for 2nd place. It was a small field which resulted in a small payout. 2nd place would recieve a $450 check while 3rd place would walk away with nothing. I made some not-so-pretty pars on 11, 12, and 13 but was still 1 shot behind Issac. I focused on slowing down my tempo and started hitting better golf shots down the stretch. I finished birdie, par, eagle, birdie, par to climb my way back into 2nd place, 3 shots clear of Issac, posting an even par round of 72. I signed my scorecard and took home my first paycheck as a professional golfer.
Clearly the tournament was filled with peaks and valleys, but overall it was a great success and a very positive start to my professional career. How many people can tell the story that they holed out from the fairway for eagle on their first hole as a professional?
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