A Brand New Year

Well it's 2011 and I have been away for some time. As I look back my last post was talking about the possibilities of being a cast member of the Golf Channel's Big Break. Boy, I was really looking forward to that and hoping that I would become a member of that show. It was going to be a huge step forward in getting my face and name out there to the masses to be noticed and hopefully create some sponsorship buzz from it and hey, why not winning the whole thing!
Unfortunately, it wasn't the case. I received an email in December explaining that I had not been chosen but was asked to re-apply for the next season. It was an obvious let down as I had spent a good bit of money to travel to Florida and do the audition. Not only that but I had pulled myself out of the final Canadian Tour Palm Springs event which was being conducted on the same days. So I felt like I had wasted an opportunity to play in an event when I was playing great for an obvious opportunity of being on a TV show broadcast all over the world. I still stand by my decision but it makes you question your decision when it doesn't end up as you had hoped.
It seems a lot these past two months of 2011 have not turned out the way I had anticipated (as of yet). I have met a bunch of great people since the end of the tour season, some who I have been looking to as being a potential sponsor in my upcoming seasons. I have been working hard to find the financial help necessary to continue for my second tour season. I have been extending my reach to try and find companies interested in placing a logo on my golf bag and apparel in hopes of generating some of those funds.
This second year is a very big one for me and I fear it will have to be postponed because of the lack of funds. Postponing the charge in my golf career comes at a cost when everything is so fresh and I feel I am in the right position to get my break. There are a few reasons for that so let me explain.

1. Rookie Season is over - This past 2010 season on the Canadian Tour was not a very successful season monetarily but I learned a wealth of knowledge out there on tour. From how to travel, study the courses and plan your days leading up to the event. Where to stay, how to deal with caddies and how to conduct myself on the golf course, it was all the things a rookie has thrown at him and has never experienced. All the while having to compete at a high level against guys who have been doing this for years.

2. Course Knowledge - Now that I have played these courses I look forward to doing it all over again. It's no secret that the more you play a golf course the better you get. The more you play a course the more comfortable you feel out on that course and naturally the better you do. I missed 4 cuts by one stroke last season and looking back there are a million things I could have done to make those cuts but unfortunately it wasn't in the cards because of nerves, forcing shots or just not allowing myself to play at the level I'm able to. Returning to these courses with the knowledge I have gained from playing a few times already, getting all the greens breaks into my course books and tricks I learned throughout the year to compete at a higher level(Pre shot routines, breathing, in game thoughts). These things have all been huge breakthroughs for my game. I'm not saying I never had these tricks before but once you get out onto the competitive scene and professional golf it all changes. You need to re learn a lot of your tendencies to be successful because some may not work under the pressure of tour golf when it did in say, college.

3. Belief - The biggest lesson I learned out there on tour from the competition with some of the best golfers in our country and around the world is belief. It's something you have in yourself before you even start an event on the Canadian Tour but you don't exactly know where you stack up. You have a belief because of your past but everyone is so good out there and sometimes your belief is shaken. During my play on the Canadian Tour, even when leaderboard watching from the sidelines after missing a cut I have realized that I have what it takes without a doubt that I have what it takes to compete with anyone out there. The more and more I play, the more comfortable I will become and the more competitive I will be. I know that the Canadian Tour is the place where I will develop my game and grow to become a solid player. But the best thing I could have gained from this past year was the confidence that I belong out there. These guys are not far out of my league and I have what it takes to be one of the best.
Again, having the belief in yourself is one piece of the pie and same is gaining the knowledge of being a touring pro. But you can't do it if you don't have the money. Unfortunately for me (at this moment) I don't have what it takes. Some deals are in the works however and like these past couple months I am still waiting for them to materialize. I have confidence that it will work out but it gets tough as times begins to run out.
I have to return to Q School which takes place in Florida at the end of march. There is also another qualifying event which takes place the week after in California before the tour moves into Mexico. The events individually cost $2800 US but the Canadian Tour runs a deal if you want to sign up for both events. If I were to pay $5000 US I would be entered into both events, if I qualify for the tour in Florida I will be given back the $2200 for the California event, saving me $800 if I had to go to California. Just goes to show how expensive this pro golf stuff is when the qualifying school alone is so expensive, not mention the tour.
I plan on getting down to the warm weather in the next couple weeks so I can prepare for Q school. In that time I will be focusing heavily on cementing these sponsorsand getting the clubs swinging again over at Oakridge's indoor/outdoor range facility.
If you or anyone you think may be interested in helping out or getting their logo placed on my bag and clothing for the 2011 season please get in touch. My email is jacobscriven@gamil.com and I am still open to any possibilities. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch.
It's a big season ahead and despite the past the future looks very bright, and I plan on keeping this journey rolling without hiatus.


JS