Learning More About Canada

The Canadian Tour is a great way to learn more about Canada. When I was an amateur I travelled a bit (Calgary and Montreal). Mainly though I got to see more of the U.S. than Canada. I was always curious about Victoria and Banff—both awesome.

The drought out West is a surprise. That’s something new to me. But, not new to people here.

Wanted U.S. Open Spot More Than I Thought

You’d think I’d be fine not getting one of two spots at a U.S. Open sectional qualifier. The odds are not good. So, what’s the big deal?

The USGA received a record number of entries---9,086---the biggest since 2005. Golfers from 50 states, the District of Columbia and 71 foreign countries competed. It was a feat just making it through the local qualifying with only three spots open.

I had my hopes up going in to the last three holes as I was tracking well at -2. But, I probably got ahead of myself and the rest is history. Because I could see I might make it the way I was playing, missing a spot stung a bit more. You know, the “if onlys”….

Great experience though. Besides getting close, I’ll remember it as the day that Canadians grabbed the two spots---amateur whiz Nick Taylor and my buddy Andrew Parr. A good sign of better things to come for Canada at the PGA level.

Soggy, Windy US Open Golf Local Qualifier, Brookesville, Florida

It was hard yesterday. Really wet and windy all the time. Thunderstorms threatening. The course was playing long.

With a strong field and a “blizzard” of rain going sideways, it was not looking good. I had no idea how many would make it and figured if I made par I might be lucky to be in a playoff.

Fortunately, I made some birdies in the last few holes to cinch one of the three spots. I was surprised that there weren’t more positions open. Grateful I made it.

Funny about these qualifiers. The food “sucks”. Hardly anything available at the golf club. Part of the territory, I guess.

Decisionmaking in the Eye of the Mexico Storm: Major Can Tour Headaches and Player Anxiety

When I left for Mexico on April 21, there was no swine flu problem in the news. My plan was to play in three of the four Mexican tournaments. Skip the second one in San Luis Potosi. If only I’d stuck to that plan!

I changed my mind once I got to Mazatlan. Decided to play in the San Luis Potosi tournament, not the last one. Changed my flight and hotel plans. Then, the news of a problem with sickness in Mexico started to come in.

The hardest part has been what decisions to make. Leave now? Stick it out? Maybe it’s gonna be OK? Just a scare that goes away?

It’s been tough on the Can Tour staff and the players. What do you do when this has never happened before? Like those weird surprises you have on the golf course sometimes. Trying to figure things out when you have no idea what to do. Take a stab at it and see what happens.

Well, it’s been a roller coaster ride. Anyway, we’re getting outa here now. Tournament in San Luis Potosi cancelled.

Right away a rumor circulated among the players that they were going to close the border. Our anxiety went through the roof. Scrambling to change our flights was scary….at one point, it looked like there were no seats available for six days. We went wild with thoughts of not being able to get out.

We’re still worried. I don’t think we’ll relax until we’re on the airplane.

Dodging the Swine Flu in Mexico

“Wash your hands!” “Don’t share the same glass!” “Cover your cough!” So my mother goes on. She can’t help herself because of her public health background. But, now that I’m in Mexico with the Canadian Tour, her pleas for keeping out of harm’s way are getting my attention.

This swine flu scare makes it tougher for travelling in Mexico. But, if we follow some of the basics, we should be alright. Today, my family doc added a few more preventive measures:
-use a saline nasal spray. Viruses and bacteria don’t like that kind of environment;
-avoid food and beverages at airports (bring my own from the resort);
-use a mask on an airplane when travelling around Mexico and when I leave Mexico. The air circulation system spreads the “bugs’ around;
-if you have to cough, do it in your sleeve.

After having a bad case of food poisoning earlier this year, I’m a convert to these simple ideas. But, easier said than done.

Messing Around With My Swing to Get More Feel

When I was a young amateur, I just did it. Stepped up to the tee and got the job done. As a pro, I have started to think too much.

My first coach since I was thirteen and friend Steve Chapman had some good advice. Start “messing around” when I am practicing. Whack the ball off the tee every which way without worrying about where it is going.

It makes sense. Too much thinking is a left brain thing. “Messing around” is more right brain. If I can balance my practice habits more (both left and right), I might not have to think as much in competition.

Feel is about trust in the now. That comes from practicing letting go. Something like improv in comedy acts. It’s a bit weird to me. Still worth it though to quiet my mind.

Smart Adapting by The Gateway Tour

Affordable opportunities to play golf are pure gold for developing pro golfers. In response to tougher economic conditions, I’m seeing unusual changes.

When I first started out as a pro in 2006, I enjoyed competing in jam-packed, three-day Gateway Tour events in and around the West Palm Beach area. It was a great way to work on my game without having huge travel expenses.

Now, it’s not the same. Fewer golfers have booked into the seasonal series and the ongoing events due to cost concerns. That has meant smaller purses for the effort and fewer opportunities. To keep moving ahead, many of us have turned to existing one-day and two-day events and the odd Monday qualifier here and there. It’s a bit of a scramble.

Fortunately, the guys at Gateway did some brainstorming and came up with a product to fit the times---its own version of one- and two-day events, Gateway Tour Lite. Suddenly, we’re back in business in West Palm Beach!