I am sitting here during a light rain shower and decided to catch up with everyone on the season so far. It has been a very busy one and I seem to run out of time before I know it.
My season started in Hawaii and my sister and mom accompanied me as it was our first visit to the islands. Turtle Bay Resort was a wonderful and beautiful venue and because my work week became a short week we visited some of the tourist stops to include Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial and North Shore’s famous beaches to surf and watch the Master’s Surf Championships. We actually got to see a surfer record a perfect ‘10’ score and it was incredible. I left Hawaii knowing I look forward to going back next year.
I flew from Hawaii straight into Mexico City via California for our next stop on the tour. I did not play well there and when I missed the cut I left early and went straight to Phoenix to get in some extra practice time. The Safeway is held at Superstition Mountain in Arizona and it is a beautiful golf course and facility. My host family was wonderful and I would like to thank you again! This was my first tournament utilizing my new full-time caddie, Randy. Randy has been out here for a long time and previously caddied for his wife, Donna Wilkens, and fellow Bulldog, Cindy Schreyer and others. He is also responsible for driving the LPGA’s workout truck and trailer (a huge 18 wheeler) to each of the tournament sites. I played four full rounds in Phoenix and went home during my off time. I worked with my coach, practiced and watched a practice round at the Masters in Augusta, GA.
My next stop was the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas. I was honored to once again play in the official Pro-Am with Mr. Hata and his friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. I played the weekend and earned some money (on the course that is, not the tables). HaHa.
Morelia, Mexico — what can I say? I had a rough time there and missed the cut. This was a very pleasant area of Mexico and the golf club and facilities were excellent but somehow this course did not like me . . . .
Franklin, Tennessee was my next stop and I had my coach come up to help me regain some confidence back. (By the way, a big hooray to my coach John Godwin as he was awarded the Junior Coach of the Year by the PGA earlier this year.) We worked on keeping my swing on plane and even though we played in some cold and rain it was a successful week. Thanks guys for those of you who walked with me and braved the inclement weather!! Keep practicing and playing Nicole and Ashley.
Onto Virginia and Kingsmill. This tournament is a big one and I had my coach come back up for the week. I have had really good rounds going but let one or two holes slip up and get away from me. I wanted my coach to observe and see what I seem to be doing so that I can work to correct it. We are working on keeping my pivot at the correct speed relative to my hand position coming through the swing. I tend to get too quick at the end. Unfortunately, I missed the cut here but I played a solid round after the washout on the second day. I would like to give a special thank you to Anne, Bruce and Tori for your very generous hospitality during the week!!!
The Chick-fil-A in Stockbridge, GA is next and close to home! I look forward to playing here every year. This one is no exception and I had many friends and family that came to watch. Thank you for your continuous support!!! I got to spend valuable time with my sister and family. I am very proud of her as she completed her first ever 5k in just over 30 minutes. She is aiming towards a half marathon by the end of the year. More power to her as I don’t understand running around a city just for the fun of it, GO Girl! Also got to see my niece, LeAnn play in a tee ball game; if you have never seen 3 and 4 year olds play tee ball, it is quite cute, but oh so funny. The kids just look at the ball expecting it to jump into the glove as the baseball goes by. However, my niece LeAnn was able to connect twice and get the ball to the outfield. That’s my girl! It was also fun cooking for my family, but of course I think they would have rather gone out for dinner. Need to work on my domestic skills, oh well off to the course!!!
The Sybase in New Rochelle, NY was next on the calendar. This tournament is held at a very nice location and right in the midst of everything. I have to give a great big shout out to Mr. & Mrs. DeCaprio to thank them for again allowing me to stay in your home and we are all wishing you both a very HAPPY 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!! I can see my game improving but I just have to believe and trust in myself. I have this saying that I carry on my golf bag ever since I’ve had one, EHFAR (Everything Happens For A Reason), and I truly believe it. Patience and hard work — that is what I am working on.
Here we come to Corning, New York. I played in a pro-am in New Jersey before heading up to Corning. I was traveling with Tracy Hanson when Helen Alfredson called to tell us that our tire looked as though it was going flat. We pulled over at a truck stop and I could immediately hear a hissing sound coming from the tire. It appears to be a screw and yes it was deflating. We ended up changing the tire (ourselves — I guess the truckers were sleeping) to the tiny spare that was on the undercarriage and we traveled the rest of the way at 50mph. It seems like forever before we got to Corning. My short game has kept me grounded over the past few weeks. I have switched to a new driver with a stronger shaft and am working on staying confident with it and trusting my swing. Corning has a wonderful fan base and what a large crowd we had every day out there. Thanks Melissa for having us back!!! I would also like to say CONGRATULATIONS to JIMIN KANG on your 1st WIN!! |
