Thursday, December 17, 2009
Back in AZ til december 3!!!
Hey everyone I'm back in Arizona...I'm heading to hillcrest next week so hopefully I'll get to see everyone again!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Utah Collegiate Shootout
Sunbrook Golf Club
St. George, UT
10-17-09
Par 72 6,781 Yards
71-73 144
All the Utah teams except BYU were in this one, so it was fun to play the locals. I was feeling pretty confident with my game going into the tournament, and I've got a lot more comfortable with college golf. It was just a one day, 36 hole tournament, so you had to move fast if you want to play well. I finally got off to a good start in a tournament and birdied my first hole, the par 4 fifth. This was a million times better than starting off with double like I have the last couple of tournaments! The first round I kept it pretty consistent and was around par the hole time, and I got one towards the end to shoot one under. My ball striking wasn't great this round, but I made everything I looked at, and had people laughing at how many long putts I drained for par. The second round was the opposite. I started out par birdie, and then missed two four footers in a row on the next two holes to get back to even. I played the round similar to the first, as I stayed around par the hole time, but I did it differently this time. I hit the ball awesome, but just couldn't get the putts to drop. I bogeyed the same hole that I birdied the last time around to shoot 1 over instead of 1 under. Although I was fairly dissapointed that I didn't take these rounds lower and get my first top 5 or something, I am happy that I've continued to improve. My course management has improved a ton, and I'm even learning how to make birdies by laying up on par fives. Our teams also doing better, as we shot our first under par round as a team 285, and were leading after the first round. We dropped back the second round by shooting 292 and got 4th. I ended up finishing 14th out of 49, which means it was my best showing yet. I'm excited for california next week, as it's the final tournament of the fall season. Hopefully I can keep improving and get a top 10 or better!
St. George, UT
10-17-09
Par 72 6,781 Yards
71-73 144
All the Utah teams except BYU were in this one, so it was fun to play the locals. I was feeling pretty confident with my game going into the tournament, and I've got a lot more comfortable with college golf. It was just a one day, 36 hole tournament, so you had to move fast if you want to play well. I finally got off to a good start in a tournament and birdied my first hole, the par 4 fifth. This was a million times better than starting off with double like I have the last couple of tournaments! The first round I kept it pretty consistent and was around par the hole time, and I got one towards the end to shoot one under. My ball striking wasn't great this round, but I made everything I looked at, and had people laughing at how many long putts I drained for par. The second round was the opposite. I started out par birdie, and then missed two four footers in a row on the next two holes to get back to even. I played the round similar to the first, as I stayed around par the hole time, but I did it differently this time. I hit the ball awesome, but just couldn't get the putts to drop. I bogeyed the same hole that I birdied the last time around to shoot 1 over instead of 1 under. Although I was fairly dissapointed that I didn't take these rounds lower and get my first top 5 or something, I am happy that I've continued to improve. My course management has improved a ton, and I'm even learning how to make birdies by laying up on par fives. Our teams also doing better, as we shot our first under par round as a team 285, and were leading after the first round. We dropped back the second round by shooting 292 and got 4th. I ended up finishing 14th out of 49, which means it was my best showing yet. I'm excited for california next week, as it's the final tournament of the fall season. Hopefully I can keep improving and get a top 10 or better!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate
Classic Club
Palm Desert, California
Par 72 7,305 yards
My Scores: 79 71 76, 226
This was probably the hardest course we have played yet, and the wind was blowing pretty good for the first half of the first round, but besides that I just hit some bad drives that cost me some bad scores. I played six holes over par for the tournament, and played the other 12 even or under so as you can see I wasn't too far from playing well. The six holes that got me were all because of my drives. I drove the ball pretty well for the tournament, but for some reason my ball always found the water on these holes no matter what I tried. This course had a ton of trouble on it and it demanded some good drives that unfortunately I just didn't produce. My game is tightening up a lot, but still just a few steps from where I need to be to compete every tournament. I have improved every tournament thus far which is really nice though, and I'm planning on continuing that next weekend with some good play down in Saint George. I finshed T-43 out of 92, so for the first time I finished in the top half of the field. The most important thing I learned in this tournament though, was how to make my bad holes into bogeys and not doubles. I made 3 doubles the first round, but rebounded nicely when I was put in the same situations. Also, I had my first under par round in college golf!!!
Palm Desert, California
Par 72 7,305 yards
My Scores: 79 71 76, 226
This was probably the hardest course we have played yet, and the wind was blowing pretty good for the first half of the first round, but besides that I just hit some bad drives that cost me some bad scores. I played six holes over par for the tournament, and played the other 12 even or under so as you can see I wasn't too far from playing well. The six holes that got me were all because of my drives. I drove the ball pretty well for the tournament, but for some reason my ball always found the water on these holes no matter what I tried. This course had a ton of trouble on it and it demanded some good drives that unfortunately I just didn't produce. My game is tightening up a lot, but still just a few steps from where I need to be to compete every tournament. I have improved every tournament thus far which is really nice though, and I'm planning on continuing that next weekend with some good play down in Saint George. I finshed T-43 out of 92, so for the first time I finished in the top half of the field. The most important thing I learned in this tournament though, was how to make my bad holes into bogeys and not doubles. I made 3 doubles the first round, but rebounded nicely when I was put in the same situations. Also, I had my first under par round in college golf!!!
Purple and Red Invitational
Valley View Golf Course
Layton, Utah
Par 72 7,147 yards
My scores: 74 72 80, 226
I got off to a horrible start the first day, and was 5 over through my first 6 holes, but then I really brought it back. I was 3 under with 3 to play in the second round, so one under for the day which felt pretty good, but I bogeyed my last three to go back to 2 over. The last day it was extremely windy, and I just didn't have it. I bombed my drive 0n the first hole, a relatively short par 4, and only had 65 yards in. Thinking birdie, I shanked my second shot in to the hazard and proceeded to make double from there. That pretty much summed up my day though as I could never get any momentum, and made double on the last to shoot 80. As poorly as I played the last day, I still took a lot away from this tournament and got some more experience under my belt. I'm really learning how important course management is on these tougher courses, and I have to learn how to miss my shots in the right spots. I'm close to figuring it out, but I just have a little too many dumb mistakes in my rounds. If I can figure out how to eliminate these, I'll start contending for the wins and not trying to beat half the field for once. I got T-45 out of 71 so I definitely improved a lot from the last tournament though.
Layton, Utah
Par 72 7,147 yards
My scores: 74 72 80, 226
I got off to a horrible start the first day, and was 5 over through my first 6 holes, but then I really brought it back. I was 3 under with 3 to play in the second round, so one under for the day which felt pretty good, but I bogeyed my last three to go back to 2 over. The last day it was extremely windy, and I just didn't have it. I bombed my drive 0n the first hole, a relatively short par 4, and only had 65 yards in. Thinking birdie, I shanked my second shot in to the hazard and proceeded to make double from there. That pretty much summed up my day though as I could never get any momentum, and made double on the last to shoot 80. As poorly as I played the last day, I still took a lot away from this tournament and got some more experience under my belt. I'm really learning how important course management is on these tougher courses, and I have to learn how to miss my shots in the right spots. I'm close to figuring it out, but I just have a little too many dumb mistakes in my rounds. If I can figure out how to eliminate these, I'll start contending for the wins and not trying to beat half the field for once. I got T-45 out of 71 so I definitely improved a lot from the last tournament though.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
School and Stuff
Hey guys thanks for all the comments. School is going pretty good and I like my classes for the most part. College life is definitely a lot different though, and it took me awhile to get used to it. Pretty much I go to school, golf, go to the gym, and squeeze in some homework everyday and thats all I have time for. It's a nice change though, and I'm enjoying playing all the new courses and meeting all the new people and stuff. My teammates are all really cool too, so that makes everything a million times better. Basically, I'm just trying to focus on my game as much as possible right now to see how good I can get in these four years. I'm coming down for thanksgiving though, so hopefully we'll all get in a round of golf together. I'll keep everyone updated with the tournaments. Our next one is coming up monday and tuesday. We're qualifying right now so I'm hoping I can get into the 3 or 4 spot since the top 2 from each tournament are exempt in the next...
Monday, September 21, 2009
First College Tournament!
So I just got back from our first college tournament held at Eisenhower Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This was Air Force's tournament, and a ton of good teams were there. Unfortunately, I played really poorly and shot 80, 77, 80. Kind of embarassing, but I did learn a ton from the tournament, and I know what it's going to take if I want to win some tournaments. I actually wasn't hitting the ball that bad, but I kept flying my shots over greens, which were good for bogey every time. The greens were extremely fast, and there are holes where you can hit shots to the back of the green and spin it off the front. Nevertheless, I actually didn't putt too poorly. I had one three putt, and a 5 putt!!! I just kept missing the putt and it kept rolling back down to me 7 feet away. I found out they started watering that green after I played that hole so that was nice. I did play two holes later that were already watered so I guess that makes up for it. I did hole-out for eagle the last day from 114 yards, so I atleast had one exciting shot. Not exactly what I was looking for for the first tournament, but I know I'll be better prepared for the next one. I finished 100th and our team finshed 19 0f 19 so theres nowhere to go but up from here! Ok time for me to go practice...
Eisenhower Golf Course - Air Force Academy
7,301 yards Par 72
74.2/137
Eisenhower Golf Course - Air Force Academy
7,301 yards Par 72
74.2/137
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 2
With the course in the same conditions, I knew I had to have another solid round. Unfortunately though, I just could never get it going. I was over par for most of the day, but I kept grinding and birdied 16 and 17 to finish even par. It wasn't good enough to qualify, but it was a great experience and showed me I can hang with all the college studs. I finished up tied for 10th, and missed by only 4 strokes. With a little work on my game, I'm very confident I can win some college tournaments. I hit 12 fairways, 11 greens, and had 29 putts. Most of the greens I missed were just on the fringe, but not quite close enough for birdies. I'm loving my new sabertooth putter though, so hopefully the birdies will keep coming!!! Next tournament will be my first college event!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
US Amateur Qualifying
Whirlwind Golf Club - Cat Tail
Par 72 7,218 yards
Today was the first day of the qualifier, and possibly the last if I didn't make the cut. This was the first tournament I've played in with a cut, but I don't care about that. I just want to qualify! I knew coming in that I'd have to go extremely low to make it, but I know I'm plenty capable. I got off to a good start on the front nine with a 34. I bogeyed ten, but made up for it with birdies on 12, 15, 16, and 17. I had a good two putt on the last to finish with a 67. I really was patient throughout the round, and took the birdies as they came. I hit 13-14 fairways, and the only one I missed was with 4 iron!! I hit 13 greens, and had 26 putts. I don't know where this leaves me for the day because I was one of the first groups out, but if you want to find out the results are on azgolf.org. I need a top four to qualify so hopefully I'll be close!
Par 72 7,218 yards
Today was the first day of the qualifier, and possibly the last if I didn't make the cut. This was the first tournament I've played in with a cut, but I don't care about that. I just want to qualify! I knew coming in that I'd have to go extremely low to make it, but I know I'm plenty capable. I got off to a good start on the front nine with a 34. I bogeyed ten, but made up for it with birdies on 12, 15, 16, and 17. I had a good two putt on the last to finish with a 67. I really was patient throughout the round, and took the birdies as they came. I hit 13-14 fairways, and the only one I missed was with 4 iron!! I hit 13 greens, and had 26 putts. I don't know where this leaves me for the day because I was one of the first groups out, but if you want to find out the results are on azgolf.org. I need a top four to qualify so hopefully I'll be close!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Runner Up
Ping AZ Junior Match Play Championship
Mesa Country Club
Par 72 6,594 Yards
Coming in to this tournament, I had never even one a single match in a match play format. So my ultimate goal was to play more than one round and atleast get my moneys worth. My first round was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm, but once it finally got going I was playing pretty solid. I started out one down, as the guy I was playing birdied a tough par three, but I continued to play consistent and sat back as he made the mistakes. I shot one under for the day and won 3 and 2.
The next round I played a guy going to Boise State for golf, and I knew this would be a tougher match. Once again I started one down, but I stayed consistent once again and he made some mistakes. Later in the round, I started to spray the ball with my driver, but I made some really good up and downs. I holed out for birdie out of the green side bunker on 15 to gain a two shot lead, and I beat him on 17 to win 3 and 1. This got me in to the Championship Match.
The final match I had to play Noah Cook, who is going to be my teamate next year at UVU. It was a ton of fun and we were trading birdies for awhile, but I lost it completely with my driver and was hitting out of the trees on like every hole. Noah played some consistent golf and shot 2 under to beat me 3 and 2. Overall, it was a great experience, and atleast a fellow Wolverine walked away with the win! This second place finish, along with the win last week puts me in 3rd place in the player of the year standings, and if I have a good week next week, I could probably finish out in second.
Mesa Country Club
Par 72 6,594 Yards
Coming in to this tournament, I had never even one a single match in a match play format. So my ultimate goal was to play more than one round and atleast get my moneys worth. My first round was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm, but once it finally got going I was playing pretty solid. I started out one down, as the guy I was playing birdied a tough par three, but I continued to play consistent and sat back as he made the mistakes. I shot one under for the day and won 3 and 2.
The next round I played a guy going to Boise State for golf, and I knew this would be a tougher match. Once again I started one down, but I stayed consistent once again and he made some mistakes. Later in the round, I started to spray the ball with my driver, but I made some really good up and downs. I holed out for birdie out of the green side bunker on 15 to gain a two shot lead, and I beat him on 17 to win 3 and 1. This got me in to the Championship Match.
The final match I had to play Noah Cook, who is going to be my teamate next year at UVU. It was a ton of fun and we were trading birdies for awhile, but I lost it completely with my driver and was hitting out of the trees on like every hole. Noah played some consistent golf and shot 2 under to beat me 3 and 2. Overall, it was a great experience, and atleast a fellow Wolverine walked away with the win! This second place finish, along with the win last week puts me in 3rd place in the player of the year standings, and if I have a good week next week, I could probably finish out in second.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mesa City Champion!!!
Starting Out 2 behind the overall leader I knew that if I just put together a solid round I would have a real good shot at winning. I began with a two under front 9 and was tied for the lead. on the back nine I lost control with my driver for a couple holes but made some awesome pars. I managed to shoot even on thee back with a birdie on the last, and got my first big win of the summer!! My game is still improving, and I'm really looking foward to the PING Match Play next week. I hit 13 greens, 8 fairways, and had 30 putts. Thanks for all the support guys!!!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
First Round
Mesa City Junior Championship
Dobson Ranch Golf Course
Par 72 6,712 yards
Today was just the first round of the two day tournament. I shot 1 under par and have the lead going in to tomorrow. It surprised me to see my name on the leaderboard, because I really left a ton of shots out there today (mostly missed puts). I hit 8 fairways, 15 greens, and had 33 putts. I had two three putts which cost me, but overall, my putting is not bad. I'm hitting great putts, but they just aren't dropping...yet. I have a one shot lead going in to tomorrow, so hopefully I can capitalize on it and get another win!
Dobson Ranch Golf Course
Par 72 6,712 yards
Today was just the first round of the two day tournament. I shot 1 under par and have the lead going in to tomorrow. It surprised me to see my name on the leaderboard, because I really left a ton of shots out there today (mostly missed puts). I hit 8 fairways, 15 greens, and had 33 putts. I had two three putts which cost me, but overall, my putting is not bad. I'm hitting great putts, but they just aren't dropping...yet. I have a one shot lead going in to tomorrow, so hopefully I can capitalize on it and get another win!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The State Championship
Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club - Prospector Course
Par 72 7,195 yards July 7-8
This course was absolutely awesome and this was the first tournament I've played in where I got my own locker! The course was in pretty good shape minus a couple areas around the greens and in the rough, but the fairways and greens were perfect. The greens were rolling about 12-13 on the stimp meter, so this is one of the few courses I've gotten to play this summer with fast greens.
The first day I hit 8 fairways, 15 greens, and had 31 puts which led to a two under round of 70. It was one of the best ball striking rounds of my life and I'm really seeing positive results from a new swing change. I had so many putts burn the edges of the hole and lip out that I was really a couple of inches away from going really low. I learned that mountains can have a large effect on putts and I had some trouble trusting putts to break up hill. Nevertheless, I had a very solid round and saw great improvements in my game. I was in a tie for fourth after the first day, 5 shots of the leader who shot 65 though.
The second day I started out with a 3-putt bogey, but i birdied the second and fourth hole to get it to one under. I had a couple wayward drives though on the front nine, and was one over. I started the back with a par, but after that I got into a five hole bogey streak! I seemed to hit one shot on each of these holes that ended up killing me, and I learned alot about course management. I ended that streak with a birdie and two pars and ended up shooting a 77. Although it wasn't my best tournament, I had a good round at a tough course and had a lot of fun. I ended up in a tie for tenth with a tournament total of 147.
Par 72 7,195 yards July 7-8
This course was absolutely awesome and this was the first tournament I've played in where I got my own locker! The course was in pretty good shape minus a couple areas around the greens and in the rough, but the fairways and greens were perfect. The greens were rolling about 12-13 on the stimp meter, so this is one of the few courses I've gotten to play this summer with fast greens.
The first day I hit 8 fairways, 15 greens, and had 31 puts which led to a two under round of 70. It was one of the best ball striking rounds of my life and I'm really seeing positive results from a new swing change. I had so many putts burn the edges of the hole and lip out that I was really a couple of inches away from going really low. I learned that mountains can have a large effect on putts and I had some trouble trusting putts to break up hill. Nevertheless, I had a very solid round and saw great improvements in my game. I was in a tie for fourth after the first day, 5 shots of the leader who shot 65 though.
The second day I started out with a 3-putt bogey, but i birdied the second and fourth hole to get it to one under. I had a couple wayward drives though on the front nine, and was one over. I started the back with a par, but after that I got into a five hole bogey streak! I seemed to hit one shot on each of these holes that ended up killing me, and I learned alot about course management. I ended that streak with a birdie and two pars and ended up shooting a 77. Although it wasn't my best tournament, I had a good round at a tough course and had a lot of fun. I ended up in a tie for tenth with a tournament total of 147.
Monday, June 22, 2009
First Summer Win!
Antigua Tour Event 3
Wigwam - Blue Course
Par 70 6,001 yards
I got my first summer win today with a round of two under 68. The course was very short, but it had some out of bounds on it and the greens were tiny. I won by two strokes, but I had it to four under at one point in the round and I could have been lower than that. Im starting to hit the ball well, and I can see some pretty good rounds on the horizon. I hit 8 fairways, 14 greens and had 31 putts. I'm hitting a good amount of greens so if I can just roll a couple more in I'll be looking good.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Even Par
-Southwest Section Antigua Tour Event 2
-Arrowhead Country Club
-Par 72 6,554 yards
This was my first time playing here but I loved the golf course. It was in pretty good shape for this time of the year and the greens were rolling good. I shot a 72 with 4 birdies and 4 bogies. I only had one 3 putt but I hit a couple loose shots on the back that kept me from going under. My iron shots were much better than they've been though, and I drove the ball alot better as well. I hit 12 greens, 7 fairways, and had 31 putts. Overall it was good for second place. One shot out of first.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Summer Tournament Schedule
June 15; Antigua Tour Event 2
June 22; Antigua Tour Event 3
June 29; Antigua Tour Event 4
July 7-8; JGAA Junior Boys State Championship
July 13; Antigua Tour Event 5
July 14-15; Mesa City Junior Championship
July 21-22; PING Junior Match Play
July 28=29; PING Arizona Junior Masters
August 3-4; US Amateur Qualifier
June 22; Antigua Tour Event 3
June 29; Antigua Tour Event 4
July 7-8; JGAA Junior Boys State Championship
July 13; Antigua Tour Event 5
July 14-15; Mesa City Junior Championship
July 21-22; PING Junior Match Play
July 28=29; PING Arizona Junior Masters
August 3-4; US Amateur Qualifier
Mexico
This is me playing at the Peninsula Golf Course in Rocky Point, Mexico. Thanks to my dad for paying for the round and taking the pictures!
The Start of Summer
Im starting this page to keep everyone updated on my golf tournaments and how I've been doing. I'm moving up to Utah at the end of August, but I'm playing in several tournaments down here in Arizona to get ready for my freshman season. I have played in three so far and they are listed below.
June 2
-Willie Low Invitational
-Phoenix Country Club
-Par 71 6,764 yards
- This was my first tournament back after baseball season, and I shot pretty much what I expected. I couldn't hit one of their tight fairways to save my life, but when I did I saw some things I liked. The greens were rolling extremely fast and pure and I rolled in some nice putts, but overall I didn't play that well. I shot 77, but more importantly knocked alot of rust off my game. I finished in 14th place.
June 3-4
-Phoenix City Junior Championship
-Papago Golf Course
-Par 72 7,250 yards
- The wind wasn't too bad these two days, but the course conditions were extremely tough. The balls were bouncing off of the greens, and with bunkers guarding them it was a true test. I played alright the first day and shot 75, but had a bad second day and shot 83. I still was seeing alot of inconsistency in my game and fired at some pins that I shouldn't have. To put in perspective how hard the course was playing though, the top juniors in the state were there, and the winner shot 2 over par. I finished in 17th place.
June 9-11
-Antigua/ Milt Coggins AZ Jr. Stroke Play
-Encanto Golf Course
-Par 70 6,386 yards
- Finally with a little more time to practice, I saw some good improvement in my game. Encanto is an easier golf course, but the greens were in poor conditions and tough to make putts. I shot rounds of 69 71 68 to put me in 8th place and qualify me for the PING Az Jr. Match Play event. I am seeing a little more consistency out of my shots, and with more practice I should conitinue to improve throughout the summer and be ready for college.
June 2
-Willie Low Invitational
-Phoenix Country Club
-Par 71 6,764 yards
- This was my first tournament back after baseball season, and I shot pretty much what I expected. I couldn't hit one of their tight fairways to save my life, but when I did I saw some things I liked. The greens were rolling extremely fast and pure and I rolled in some nice putts, but overall I didn't play that well. I shot 77, but more importantly knocked alot of rust off my game. I finished in 14th place.
June 3-4
-Phoenix City Junior Championship
-Papago Golf Course
-Par 72 7,250 yards
- The wind wasn't too bad these two days, but the course conditions were extremely tough. The balls were bouncing off of the greens, and with bunkers guarding them it was a true test. I played alright the first day and shot 75, but had a bad second day and shot 83. I still was seeing alot of inconsistency in my game and fired at some pins that I shouldn't have. To put in perspective how hard the course was playing though, the top juniors in the state were there, and the winner shot 2 over par. I finished in 17th place.
June 9-11
-Antigua/ Milt Coggins AZ Jr. Stroke Play
-Encanto Golf Course
-Par 70 6,386 yards
- Finally with a little more time to practice, I saw some good improvement in my game. Encanto is an easier golf course, but the greens were in poor conditions and tough to make putts. I shot rounds of 69 71 68 to put me in 8th place and qualify me for the PING Az Jr. Match Play event. I am seeing a little more consistency out of my shots, and with more practice I should conitinue to improve throughout the summer and be ready for college.
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