Saskatoon Missed Cut

Yes, missing a cut in Saskatoon is no fun. I really enjoyed the golf course and have been playing well coming into this week. However, I still missed the -5 cut line yesterday and it hurt. Yesterday I rallied back, got off to a good start and found myself at -4 for tournament by my 16th hole. I was getting up and down when I had to (which wasn't much). I hit 14 greens and the two big ones were the final two holes 17 and 18. I knew I had to get it to -5 for tournament. That meant shooting a -6 66 for the day. A 219y par 3 over a bunch of gnarly dunes. I played it right and it rolled just off the green which meant a 40 foot putt from off green. Maybe I should have chipped it but I still like my decision to putt, it was over a couple humps and I left it 5 feet away and the killer was the lip out to ruin my bogey free round and put the pressure on to make an eagle on 18. Hitting the driver well I wanted to hook the ball into a dogleg left fairway and set up for a strong shot to the green. The ball not turning as much as I wanted flew through fairway and underneath the lip of the bunker. That pretty much solved the day there. Tried getting out, didn't and moved on.
All in all I can still say I'm happy. I'm learning, and I think I found something that I can really use to help me in the future. You see the first day I was really nervous and anxious over my putts, and I had looks at birdies all day. I was pushing, pulling, coming up short... A very timid sort of golf. It even felt like the day just blew by which I consider was lack of focus, or just trying to be too relaxed out there. Day 2 I really focused hard and controlled my breathing (deep breaths before putting) it seemed to help and I was hitting my putts. It was really the first round that hurt me. However I really think I found something that can work for in the future. It is always good to know that I can peg it with these guys out here and even better to know that I feel like I'm growing week to week even if I'm not playing in the event... Big key.
Looking forward to The Players Cup in Winnipeg, I have to Monday qualify at the moment being 3rd alternate. I hope I don't have to deal with it but whatever I'm playing well so hopefully I get through. Wish me luck

JS

Edmonton Out / Saskatoon Inn

Play on words for a title, but here I am in Saskatoon, a week after sitting around the first tee all day as first alternate. It was the second time I had been the first alternate for an event but this time I was surprised I didn't make it in. It was a pretty strenuous few days as I was the first alternate for three days until the final tee time went off 2:30 pm Thursday afternoon. Every phone call I heard ring in would have me so elated that I was going to get my start for the week. Instead, it was only a chance to get the heart rate up and the stress level higher. All is well though I promise. This week the tour is here in Saskatoon at Dakota Dunes golf club. Yesterday I played a practice round and can say that I am truly excited to play this event. The golf course is in great shape and seems like a great layout to have a good competition. I feel very comfortable with this course and hope to do very well and improve my position on the list before the Winnipeg re-shuffle. I can say I am playing well, during yesterdays round I was working the ball well both ways and also putting and chipping very nicely. Tomorrow I am part of a clinic held at the golf course where we will be getting paid $200 for the hour session. A very nice and easy way to pay for my food for the week. Anyways, Big week this week and I hope to do well, I am just going to calm down, let the stresses settle and get ready to have fun this week and make some serious money.


JS

PS for those of you that have been loving the weather in Ontario... it hasn't stopped raining all day, 30 mile winds and 15 C.