October is such a fantastic month for sports and the sports minded. It represents so much of one season ending as well as a few season's beginnings. As the baseball season comes to a close and the fall classic has my Cubbies in the World Series for the first time in 71 years, one can help but choose to believe dreams come true. The Fall Classic as the WS is dubbed will truly be classic this year. As with an end comes a beginning, the beginning of hockey season, basketball season, and of course a new golf season.
This past season was filled with much joy and sadness. The joy of seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The joy of a few close hole-outs from the fairway. The joy of playing at a few world renowned golf courses. The sadness of missing all of my season goals. The sadness of missed putts and almost wins.
October starts the new golf season in a wrap-around format, just like the PGA Tour. The first tournament is Tour 18 in Humble TX, just down the street from where I live. Going in I had high hopes, I have played the course several times and consider this tournament somewhat of home field. Having played the course several times, I knew holes 10-12 were the hardest on the course. Tour 18 is a unique golf course in that it replicates some of the most famous holes in golf. Hole 10 in a long par 5 some 550 yards replicating the Desert Inn. Hole 11 is an uphill long par 3, some 190 yards from the Magnolia course in Disney. Hole 12 is a long par 4 some 450 yards from Colonial. We happen to play split tees, which means some will start off #1 and some will start off #10. My group started off #10. My game plan was to get through these three holes at +3 or better. I accomplished that goal however, with two 3 putts, my score should have been better. We were the second group off the back so the pace of play was to my liking. As with split tees, once we made the turn play came to a sudden halt. Shot 44 on that 9, and felt my scoring didn't reflect how I played. Checking with my fellow competitors while waiting I realized I was only 2 shots back from the lead. So my mistakes on the front 9 cost me the lead they also hadn't shot me out of the tournament completely. On the back a couple dumb mistakes and 2 double bogeys in the middle of the round put me under a lot of pressure, I could feel the victory slipping out of my grasp. I trip through Amen Corner, yes THAT amen corner with a double bogey and 2 pars I knew I needed to stop the leaking and get a few birdies coming home. I finished the last 4 hole stretch with 3 pars and 1 birdie. Lost by 2 strokes, finished 3rd.
So Lessons Learned:
Never give up - every shot counts and matters.
Stay focused on every shot - especially putting
Commit to the shot - Think Slow Play Quick
Next tournament
November 4 - Lake Charles
Next Major
November 5&6 - Lake Charles
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