Next Step To Full Filling The Dream

Golf Channel has responded to my application:

"Dear Big Break Applicant:

 

Congratulations! You have been selected to move on to the next stage in the Big Break application process. The next stage is an in-person audition with two of Golf Channel’s producers. This audition consists of a golf performance evaluation and a ten minute 1-on-1 interview."

CRAZY!!!! June 2nd I am flying to Scottsdale, Arizona to audition for the Big Break TV Golf Reality show!  I really think I might have a shot at this.

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The interesting thing has begun, the OLD self-doubt!  I call it the committee, these voices in my head.  There is that one that wants to sabotage me.  I know in my heart of hearts I have the game and focus to compete at the highest levels of golf.  I have done it!  But there are times when that committee member "Mr. Sabotage" puts those thoughts that create self doubt, "What if".

I am a believer that we create our worlds from our perception.  So I have to work to keep this guy under control so I keep those positive vibes and a positive perception.  What I know is that golf is like life, what you put into it is what you get out of it.  Thus the best way to keep this guy at "bay", WORK EXTRA HARD & BE PREPARED!

I have been getting up at 5am to go to the gym and at the golf course at 6:45am to hit balls before I start my work day.  For my audition they told me I need to hit, cuts, draws, flops and some drives:

So each day ~ Before: 

After:

I believe that I put the time and commitment in, good things will happen!  This work shuts down the committee and Mr. Sabotage becomes silent. I am building a foundation of confidence!

T-minus 6 days until my audition and possibly a life changing experience!  The important thing to remember for me through all this is: "Success is not the destination, but the journey"!  THIS IS A COOL RIDE!

Commitment & Perseverance

Commitment: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future

Perseverance: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

Well played in my first Colorado State Golf Association (CGA) Men's Point Event in three years.  It went anything but the way I wanted it too.  The tournament was played in Loveland CO at The Olde Course.  I was SO nervous on the first three holes, my stomach felt like it was in my throat on the first tee.  Second hole 180 par three, my hands were "wet" from nerves.  IT FELT AWESOME!

I am not going to talk about my score, because for one, I really do not want too, second, there was a lot learned this weekend.  Prior to this event I had been playing very well and back at the gym getting fit.  I really felt I was in the best golf shape and my game was in the best early season shape in a very very long time.  

I had plans last week leading up to the event that I was going to keep my early morning gym commitment and get to the practice range before work.  I can give you a lot of reasons why I did not do this prior to play last weekend, but they would just be excuses.

Interesting KD said something during the week that hit home in mid-tournament.  She said "You get out of life what you put in to it".  I fell this is the same for golf.  How can I expect to excel at the highest levels of Amateur play in my state if I am not going to put the time and practice in to it.  It does cross my mind that I do have a family, a career, and I am a husband!  

KD and I worked out an agreement this year. Play in tournaments as long as the work around the house gets accomplished.  I respect this, when I play in tournaments I am gone on the weekends for two days eight to nine hours.  This makes her week days run into the weekends and she does not get a weekend.  I am gracious for her support and the sacrifice to permit me to compete at these levels.  But if she is going to make the sacrifice than I need to stick to my commitment; 5am gym work-out and practice range at 6:30am so I can get it in before work.  

In regards to my tournament play; On day one I actually was playing well through 11 holes.  Nothing going in the cup yet but nothing bad.  Unfortunately for some reason on 12 I ran out of patience.  I hooked my shot in the water trying to get a little more out of my drive.  Had to take a drop and instead of taking my "medicine" and punch back out to the fairway, I try to hit it over a VERY LARGE tree.  I end up making quadruple bogey.  I felt like I had to make something happen, when in reality I had so much golf left to be played, I needed to be patient.  I unfortunately did not recover after that hole.  I believe the lack of patience is just from not playing two day tournaments in a long time.

On the second day, nothing seem to go my way and got on the "old" bogey train.  After I would finish a hole I will say to myself; stay focused and "finish strong".  Kept saying it and kept making bogeys.  When I am playing this bad the level of discouragement is something that I can not put into words.  Then it occurred to me that I may in fact deserve this!  I did not put in the time needed before the tournament to be prepared.  

At dinner RS asked me how I did.  I said that I did not play well and I was a bit "bummed".  He than asked me "if I had fun".  BAM!  Right there my six year old puts it all into perspective!  No matter what, I was playing golf and doing something that I love!  Playing bad can be really hard, but being able to play is what I am thankful for!

I have three weeks to get ready for the Western Amateur in the first week of June.  KD is going to travel with me and caddy that weekend, my mom is flying out to take care of the boys. "Team Venti" is back out on the course after a break of having kids and starting our family!  Last time she caddied was the 2002 US Open Qualifier!  

With the support of my family, my commitment is to put in the time around game and fitness that is needed to be successful!  My whole family now plays golf, time spent practicing can be spent with my family!  LIFE is so good!

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” Tom Robbins

“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.” ~ Unknown

Application to Big Break

I really want to first thank Mark Carroll, my in-law cousin via marriage!! LOL!! 

He took time to help me articulate my story. Thank you for your help and support! If I get to the interview phase I owe you a steak dinner ;-)

I have submitted my application for a TV reality golf show on the Golf Channel. 

• http://www.thegolfchannel.com/bigbreak/
  

I have been watching this for years. Every year when I watch, I say to myself, OMG! I can hit that better than him! I Should be on that show!

So I am filling out the application.  I know that they want a story, that makes for good TV, so I believe I have captured something good here!  I have so many stories from my life as a golf professional and growing up on the Monterey Peninsula that if I can get to the interview I believe I can take it to the next level.  Let me know what you think?

What is your primary motivation to be on Big Break and how will being on the show make a positive impact on your career?

The motivation for me can really be summed up in the name of the show itself. You see, this show is really my last chance—I am looking to fulfill a dream. Back in the early 90s, I was an assistant professional for the Pebble Beach company and during that time I also played the mini-tours.

I would teach, work the shop and whenever I could, find a tournament I would go play in along the coast of California. As you can imagine, being in my early 20s, many nights were spent with three or four of us players in a Motel 6 room for $36 bucks a night. The bed was considered the prize of the day—whoever had the low round got one of the beds, the others got the floor in a sleeping bag. Needless to say, my competition also became some of my closest friends. Even today, we share many fond memories of those times.

Of course, I didn't have much else to share at the time. My briefcase was my golf bag. But inevitably as I got older, new priorities came along like a family and I had to trade my golf clubs for an office. I can rationalize all I want that this was the right thing to do for where I was in my life. After all, my golf skills have served me well in the business world as I've developed a career in the high-tech industry.

But the hunger to play professionally still drives me. I applied for reinstatement of my amateur status in 1999. And with the support of my wife, I play competitive amateur golf in the hopes of possibly winning a USGA title and getting an exemption to a PGA event (she even caddies for me).

To me, Big Break is more than just another avenue to fulfill a life dream, it's really my last chance to see if I have what it takes. It's also my chance to show my children that living life is really about chasing your dreams, and as long as you have the support of family and friends, and a core belief in yourself, anything can be accomplished. Big Break is this opportunity!


What obstacles if any have you overcome in your life or in the game of golf?

Not only was I the smallest in my class, but I also grew up with a stuttering problem and Dyslexia. Having a speech impediment brought a lot of teasing from my peers in grade-school. The Dyslexia made learning difficult (I was not diagnosis until much later in life). While I tried to remained positive and outgoing as a child, my learning disability and speech impediment were big blows to my self-confidence.

Then at age 12, my stepfather was hired as Head of Security in Pebble Beach. This job came with a house in 17-mile drive. I was introduced to the game I love by borrowing my stepfather's old rusty Walter Haggan clubs and sneaking on the Par 3 Peter Hay golf course. We couldn't afford for me to belong to any club, so this practice of "walking on" was only way I could play. As I got better I would sneak on, and be chased by, the marshals at Pebble Beach and Monterey Peninsula Country Club on a regular basis.

Soon after, I joined the tourists staying at the lodge for rounds at the Par 3. By the end of that summer I would play these guys for a couple of bucks using my lunch money that my mom gave me. Steadily, I "earned" enough money so I could buy my own used clubs. Golf was more than just a sport—it was freedom from the things that held me back. I never had to say too much, except “nice shot,” thanks to golf game etiquette. So no one ever noticed my stuttering. And playing against the adults gave me a level of confidence I had never experienced. Golf became a place of refuge for me. Daily practice taught me focus and commitment. And the view from every tee box to the distant green filled me with a serenity I'd never known before.

I somehow managed to graduate from high school with sub-standard grades. I never made it in college, so once again I turned to golf and tried my shot at becoming a professional. After five years of playing mini-tours and working to become a Class “A,” I still felt that I was always going to be held back because of my lack of education.

Then it happened; I was having dinner with a successful CEO during a Pebble Beach tournaments and, like something straight out of Caddyshack, I found myself like Danny Noonan discussing my desires to go to school but feeling that I was going backwards. Plus, I had a fear of school and the failure I'd always associated with it. That's when this Ty Webb of sorts shared something that I'll never forget. He said, ”Going to school is not taking a step back. When Joe Montana wants to throw a touchdown, he takes three steps back to see the whole field. From there he makes a decision on what to do. Going to school allows you to make that decision.” That very night, I made the decision to go back to school.

I graduated from Monterey Peninsula College with an Associates degree in 1998. I had gone from a C-minus student to an Honors student and a school Senator that helped write a bill to lower the tuition for Community Colleges in the state of California.

School was always difficult for me. The game of golf provided me the tools to overcome this challenge by applying focus and commitment, while trusting in myself!

What has been your greatest accomplishment in golf?

I truly believe my greatest accomplishment is yet to come. I have played in hundreds of golf tournaments as an amateur and a professional. I've taught some of the biggest CEOs in America and I've had the privilege of working with Jim Flick in the Nicklaus/Flick schools during the early 90's. In 1992, I was responsible for all the corporate golf tournaments for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, running daily double shotguns and making sure that the corporate sponsors were happy and having fun. And most recently, I won the Player of the Year and State Championship for the Keller Williams Golf Tour in 2004.

But, let me reiterate, my greatest accomplishment in golf is yet to come. I have two beautiful boys in my life. I want them to receive the same rewards in their lives that this game has provided me. I want them to experience that moment when they make their first birdie. I want them to feel the satisfaction that comes with hard-work and dedication. And above all else, I want them to understand the meaning of sportsmanship that I believe only golf still maintains.

Every day, I try to lead by example and show my boys firsthand that dreams can be achieved. In fact, I've even created a blog to chronicle my chasing of these dreams and how to balance this with family, career and life's other challenges: http://ventisworld.blogspot.com.

If I get on the Big Break and win, it will open doors that have always been locked to me. And while this will be a great accomplishment, I'm proud to say the greatest accomplishment will be how I share this with my boys. It will inspire them to achieve their dreams and overcome the challenges that life throws at all of us.


Tell us who is your hero, and why:

Fellow Northern Californian Ken Venturi. He is one of my heroes because the game of golf also helped him overcome all of his personal challenges in life. As a child, he too was a stutterer and golf became a place of solace for him. He went on to become one of the best amateurs in the country and was compared to Bobby Jones at the time. He took 2nd at the Masters as an amateur when Palmer came storming back on the last four holes to overtake him.

Unfortunately, Venturi had struggles when he turned professional and turned to alcohol. He fought back from the clutches of alcoholism to win his first Open fighting heat exhaustion. I'll always admire his commitment, drive and passion for the game.

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, he was the voice of golf for me! His tales of the Masters and the history of the game resonated with me as a young golfer. And his life story of challenges, success, heartbreak and, in the end, real personal and professional success gives me hope and determination to fight for my dreams.

Future TV Star & The Fight Against Weight is ON!

Well I am going to apply for the Golf Channels "Big Break".  This is a reality TV show for golfers.  

• http://www.thegolfchannel.com/bigbreak/
  

This seasons winner gets $100,000!  Previous seasons they have given exemptions into PGA & LPGA tour events.  Hoping to get an opportunity to fulfill my dream.  When I complete my entry forum I will post my essay answers.  Like to know what you all think.

I have been back at the gym!  I saw this picture of me from EASTER, OMG!!  I look huge!  I think I need a man bra ~ The "Bro" I was SO Sucking it in!

I weighed in at 196 three weeks ago, my goal is 175.  That is NOT too skinny!  Why 175, because according to the National Heal Institute based on my height this is the right BMI weight.  Here is a BMI website for you to use.  This is truly the healthiest way to do this.  http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

The good news is over the last three weeks I am now down to 188!  Mostly water weight if you know what I mean. I joined Weight Watchers on-line, this has really helped also.  I have done it in the past with positive results.  I once went to a Weight Watchers meeting, SO NOT FOR ME! One, I as the only guy and two it was really for folks with eating disorders.  People who eat for emotional reasons.  I just like to eat, TOO MUCH ;-)

I believe if I can get in the zone with my weight, my golf game will follow.  In just a short three weeks I already feel better and this last Saturday I LIT it up on the golf course, going two under for nine holes.  This is the first golf season in a long time I feel like I am really going to take it to the next level!

I have the following going for me:

1. Wife and family support me
2. Working out each morning before work ( A PLAN!)
3. Practice routine each week (Before and after work)

Now it is about execution.  I have been getting up at 5am to start my day!  It is amazing how much better I feel about myself!

My high level goals for golf in the next three years:

1. Win my Club Championship
2. Win the State Stroke Play, State Match Play or State Mid-Am Championships
3. Qualify for a USGA event 

• Note: If I make it and win the Big Break, these goals will change!
  

Last thing, John Daly is now following me on twitter @PGAJohn_Daly, SO COOL!  He is playing on the European Tour now and is pretty fun to follow.  If you are a twitter and like golf, he is a good one!

Have a great week!

"It's never too late to become the person you might have been." George Elliot