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!
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You have the commitment, you have the support, go win you some tournaments. :) kdv
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