Rolling With The Punches

It's been a while since my last post although plenty has been happening. I am now in Surrey, BC at the Surrey Invitational. Today was the first day and unfortunately I was unable to play in the field. This past Monday I played in the qualifier for the event where only four spots are available. I finished with a round of 69 (-3) and was sitting in 4th place behind two 68's and a 67. Two groups left I felt as though I had a chance and one young 15 year old kid came through with a round of 68 and booted me out of contention for a spot. I would be the first alternate for the Monday qualifiers and the 13th alternate for the event. Not really believing I had a chance to play this week I practiced and worked on game preparing just in case but still no word I was playing through the start of the week. I will say that it was a great week as I was able to really work through some things in my game. The week coming off the Q School in Victoria my swing seemed to be all but gone and I had no idea what to do with myself. Last week in Victoria I worked on a new swing which felt very mechanical and tried and tried working on it until Sunday evening the day before the Monday qualifier here in Surrey. I decided to go back to what used to work and just stay relaxed... no over swinging and take it shot by shot. Well I managed a three under 69 and here I am... still out of the tournament.
Because I missed the cut I planned on caddying for Barry O'Neill, my good friend here on tour. As we arrived to the tee I was told to get my bag I was first alternate now that 12 withdrawals had happened. So I had to potential to play this afternoon if someone pulled out... This never happened, I was looking all day towards the officials wondering when they would be bringing to my bag to warm up but it never happened. So unfortunately I will be carrying the bag this week and taking a week off as the tour does next week and be trying to Monday qualify for Calgary. I feel great, I wish I could play in this event as I feel quite comfortable with the course layout. Greens are quick and firm but it plays well for me. It has been nice being able to hang out around the tour though. I have had plenty of good practice and it seems we stay out here during the practice round days for 10 hours. We may even hit the range twice even three times, putting and chipping games and everything really get your game in shape. So I am just hoping things can get rolling in the next week in Calgary because I am so ready to get out there and compete. This has been somewhat of a miserable start to the season as far as achieving my goals go but there is plenty of time and hopefully I start to peek at the right time. Stay in touch, good news to come.

JS