OK, so i'm not so goooooood.

Played my one round for the weekend this saturday. Played horribly. Got that feeling that I usually get towards the end of the year that I'm just about done for the season.

I went out and really hacked the ball around for something like 86 or 84. I put 86 in the computer for handicap so I'll go with that.

In the process of shooting such an awful score I got abosulty killed by Matt in a match after talking some shit on the second tee. He would go on to kill me 8 and 7 for the hole round, and I pressed on the 10th hole and lost that one pretty badly too. Not even sure what the score was in that one.

So usually around this time of the year I play one awful round (see this one) due to not caring one bit about playing. This is usually my time to exit for the season. The course is in phenomenal shape especially for this time of the year. So good, it's probably the best it's been all year. This may keep m playing 1 or 2 more times, but starting to doubt it. It starting to get cold in the nights and early morning. I've played a lot lately, and I think I'm just losing interest for the season. I usually regret this decision around November each year as I wish I was still playing golf then, but leaning towards enough for the year. Unless I can get some afternoon rounds or invites to other courses I'll probably pack it in.

It was good while it lasted. Will finish the year as a 3 handicap for the first time. Had a good year on tour. Got to the finals of the Langley cup. Made a cut at the Club Championships and finished 8th. All in all, a succesful year and definitly something to build on next year.

I think I'm Goooooood

Yesterday afternoon I had to take some suppliers out golfing. Didn't really feel like playing but dragged myself out to the course after work. Of course it wasn't very hard to get out there.

One of the guys that came out was a younger guy who actually plays golf and was able to play the blacks with me so that also helped for the round.

I'd end up playing well. Here's a few highlights. The course was super firm so everything was going a lot further then normal and the greens were firm and quick. Thought the course was in phenomenal shape.

After double bogey on 2, I would get to about 18 feet for birdie on 3 and drain it to get back to 1 over.

Number 8 I would drive it about 8 yards through the fairway. I hit a 7 iron to about 4 feet for eagle. Stupidly enough I barely hit the putt and left it on the lip. Settled for birdie to get to 2 over.

Would bogey holes 12 and 13. double 17. and then birdie 18 for a 38 - 39 - 77.

Handicap dropped down a little more to a 2.4. Not sure what I need to get the index down to so I can be a 2, but think I'm going to play it out for a bit and see if I can do it.

Just have to actually get up this saturday. Sundays are out, but I'll be out for Saturday and any others I can pick up. Weather is decent right now, so got to get some more rounds in. Also, need to get some more rounds to add to my total count. Matt predicted 35 rounds for the year, I'm just above that now and don't want it to look like I barely got as many as he thought.

Great weekend ends on a sour note

This past long weekend was shaping up to be a great one.

Friday I got out after work for a round of golf with my buddies preston and andy. I returned for the first time this year to Heron Point. Course was in phenominal shape, which made it even harder then usual. I struggled a little on holes 3 through 6 but managed to hack it around from there for an 81. Should have been a little better, but good enough.

Saturday I caught a bit of the Canadian Tour at our home course and then headed back out to Acton to play with Preston and Andy again at Blue Springs, another club link course. This course is pretty hard from the back tees at a 137 slope. Very tight everything. You can't spray the ball here or else you are in big trouble. Fortunatly, thats just what I did, spray the ball like crazy off the tee. I would end up shooting an 84. Preston tore it up and shot an 77. I like this course, great challenge.

Sunday I was lucky enough to pick up another round out at Whirlpool with Steve, Ryan, and Mike. I'd end up playing really well out there. With 4 birdies on the day and some solid play I was able to post a 74 from the golds out there. In process I helped Steve and I take $20 from ryan and mike.

Monday was looking to be a great day as well. Playig at St. Catharines the day after the Canadian Tour event. The course was in ridiculous shape and set up for the tourny still. 6 inches of rough around the greens, very quick greens, every thing was perfect out there. Cal and I decided to play our Langley final. It was a pretty cool match. We would go back and forth all round long. I believe we tied maybe 3 or 4 holes over the course of the match. Short version. I was leading by 1 on the 18th hole. I hit a shacky drive that left me 220 out and under some trees. I got a 5 iron to about 5 yards short of the green. Cal would find the same spot at me just on the other side of the fariway. All i needed was an up and down for the win. I didn't hit a very good chip and found myself with about 12 feet for par. Cal had maybe 8. I left mine an inch from the hole. Cal ended up draining his to tie the match up. We played 18 over again as a playoff. This time I would bomb a drive almost to the cart path leaving myself 120 yards out. Cal was way left behind some trees. Cal would hit a great shot to about 6 feet for birdie from here. Fortunatly, i followed him putting it about 6 inches infront of him. Cal goes first and lips out the birdie putt. I did the exact same thing, still tied. We then played the first hole as a second playoff. I put mine on in 2 with about 20 feet to the pin. Cal was a little right and short of the green and had about a 10 foot chip. I just barely missed my putt rolling by 3 or 4 feet. Cal chipped out and almost drained it for the win. This is where is got sour. I lined my easy putt up, 4 feet (at most) up hill straight in, and I pushed it right missing the putt. Cal tapped in his 8 incher for the win.

I blew it. On a 4 foot putt. I was devestated. Couldn't even sleep last night thinking about it. So many chances to win. 15 I missed an easy birdie putt that could have given me an extra hole up. 17 I duffed my tee shot about half way up the hole befor leaving my approach way short making a bogey. Could have made either putt on 18. Absolutly should have made the putt on the 20th hole. But of course Cal could have done a hundred things that would have given him the win. So could of should of would of. I lost he won, simple as that.

Hopefully next year I can get back in the finals.

All said, the golf season was a good one. I improved my game by dropping from a 5 handicapp to a 3. Made the cut on the mens tour, and reached my first finals of the Langley cup. Would rather have won the Langley but got to look at the positives.

Congrats out to Cal for winning his second cup in 3 years. At least I lost to the match play master.

Success

Lately my game has been pretty good to say the least. I've posted 2 rounds of 72 in the last 2 weeks, and had a plethora of rounds in the 70's. Had good results in tournaments pretty much all year, and have dropped my handicap to a 3 (2.7) which is all great stuff. This weekend I was hoping to improve on this season by having a good day in the final mens tour event.

I had played Whirlpool earlier in the week and knew it would be a tough event due to the condition of the course. It's always more difficult to putt on shaggy greensm atleast for me. Unfortunatly nothing spectacular happened sat so no need for a big run down of the round. I really couldn't get much going. Started out par, double, par. Wasn't worried cause I thought I could get it back on the next 2 par 5's down wind. But I didn't get anything back with 2 bad approach shots on my second into the greens and made 2 pars. I'd give up another stroke on long par 6 after 3 putting. Then I'd lose a ball off the tee on 8 to make double and finish at 41 on the front. Not good enough.

The back 9 wasn't any better. I'd start out good with 2 pars before making a bogey on 12. Again, poor second into the par 5 13th and couldn't get up and down for a birdie, let along a par and bogey the hole. Made a good up and down on the 14th for par. 15 was a mess. I hit a big drive but pushed my second way right into the trees. Instead of punching out safe I hit an awful shot the went off a tree and behind me into the junk. Punched out but went to far and had another bad angle. Couldn't get up and down for a double and made a triple 8. It's now over. Par on 16 and 17. And then missed a putt on 18 for par to shoot 42. Awful 83 to finish somewhere in the 20's I think.

So had a bad finish. Although I can say that I finished 25 over all for the year and I am now exempt for the first time next year. This was my goal for the year and I'm happy to say I acheived it. Got a top 10 finish in there at GRand Niagara and was under 80 for 4 of the 6 rounds. A littel disapointed I didn't play better in the last event, but you win some you lose some.

Sunday was a cold but decent day at the home course. Played with Matt, Cal, and Ryan. Course was in phenominal shape leading up to the Canadian Tour championships this week. Rough was thick and deep and the greens were amazing. Kudos to Steve and the team for getting it in such amazing shape.

I played well again sunday. Proabably a mistake cause it's scaring Cal from playing me for the Langley. Had a double bogey on the 16th (played the back 9 first) and shot 40 on the first 9. PLayed better on the back shooting a 37 to finish at 77. Solid round happy with that. Had I played Cal today I would have beat him 3 and 2, but that doesn't mean shit. I've seen Cal play horrible one day and then play the langley match the next day and kill it so means nothing. Just looked at it for fun while eating breakfast.

Still think every thing is going well with the game and swing. Could slow my tempo down a little o be more consistent, will work on that. Otherwise, just got to keep playing. Getting tough cause football is only 2 weeks away.

Proud Chevy Owner

Yesterday I picked up a new 2010 Chevy Equinox. It is awesome.

I did a guest blog over on Faces Of GM just to say how much I like it.

If you're in the market for a CUV you must check out this one.

Check out my post over there and make sure to mention it to everyone so they see.

Faces of GM
http://www.facesofgm.com/
http://www.facesofgm.com/



Ya, still don't know how to link on a blog, so copy and paste. Do it, NOW.

Edit: Ok, now I know and now it's linked. So click on it.

Bold? definitly

So i made a statement that I would finish in the top 5 on Saturday. I may have gotten a little ahead of myself. Played Whirlpool last night and it wasn't pretty.

The course was in decent shape. I was playing with the head grounds keeper since we worked together out there a few years ago and always try to get a round in. He was explaining to me how little help the Parks Commission has provided him to maintain that course. It's a shame what they are doing. He's got 5 people to look after the whole course. Absolutely ridiculous. when I worked out there there was at least 12 or 15 of us and it still wasn't enough.

So he's done as good a job as he can. It sucks cause he cares so much about the course looking good and they just won't let him do it properly.

The greens were a little bumpy, but that was probably cause it was so late in the day that we played. Tee decks are a little scruffy, but they don't have enough guys or time to cut it. Not his fault.

None of this really mattered cause I still played like shit. I think I shot somewhere around 86. Big highlight of the night was on the first 2 par 5's. The first one I killed a drive to about 190 yards out, put it on in 2 and then proceeded to 3 whack for a par from about 15 feet. The next par 5 I was 200 out after my drive, hit a decent rescue to the green. Was off the back to a front pin, i would skull it past the hole and off the green, barely chip back on the green, miss the putt for a bogey. The rest of the round was a waste of time from here.

Oh well, at least it wasn't the tournament and I won't effect my handicap.

My game has changed

I had a moment on the golf course this weekend. I firmly believe that my game has changed in an extremely positive way. I've found a new confidence along with my swing over the last few rounds. I'll explain later.

Saturday was an ok round by my new standards. Got up early to play with Cal and Matt after one of the most amazing concerts I've ever seen. My cousin was awesome enough to take me to see Pearl Jam in Toronto for the first time ever. It was amazing. They played basically a greatest hits concert and I've only once or twice seen a band play so passionately and with so much energy, it was amazing. I was a little tired sat morning and kind of limped through the first 14 holes to 5 over. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to improve on it when the lighting rolled in and we had to walk off the course. I'd post a 78 cause we played over 13 holes, so I guess I kind of shot a 78.

Sunday I had invited some sudo family members, brother in laws step moms sister and husband Ralph and Annemarie. These 2 are great golfing partners that I have had the pleasure to play with twice before at Magna Golf Course with Cathy, and once at their home course last year Westmont. All day Saturday I was checking the weather and it was calling for rain and thunder storms so was a little worried we wouldn't get it in. Fortunately, the rain held off completely and actually the skies opened up to a some what sunny day and was perfect. Both my guests are good golfers who can hold there own. Ralph was in a major car accident a few years ago but still finds a way to play even tho he can't bend his right wrist. I'd be playing from the blues today with Ralph for the first time this year. Turned out to be a great round. I'd start by going par, par, par, on the first 3 holes. Ralph followed me by going par, par, bogey on the first 3. So after the 3rd hole we decided to play a match for the round, I decided to give him a shot a hole. So starting on the 4th I'm 2 down. This is how the rest of the round went.

4th hole I hit a bad shot to the right of the green, made a bad chip and couldn't make the putt for a bogey. down 3. Then I got it going a little. 5th I was on the green in 2 with an 7 footer for birdie, just missed took a par, 1 over.

6 I would bomb one down the wrong fairway, down 13, and had to come back over the trees, left myself 10 feet for birdie but missed and settled for par, still 1 over.

7 I left a long birdie putt around 30 feet, missed and made par.

8 i got to about 210 out, went for the green in 2, but was a little right near the rope tow. Hit a decent lob to about 10 feet and made the putt for birdie. even on the day.

9 i would be about 175 out after my drive, hit a 6 iron short of the green and couldn't get up and down for the par, bogey to shoot 37.

10th I would hit a drive to about 200 yards even. Hit a 5 iron perfectly to about 4 feet, drained the putt for my first eagle of the year, 1 under.

11 I would attempt to drive the green since I had about 290 yards from the blue. Over swung a little and found myself under the trees just left of the green. I'd make a bad chip from a side of the hill here and had to settle for par after sculling it to the other side of the green.

12 I was just left of the green, chipped up and made the putt for par.

13 I hit my drive up the left hand side and through the fairway. Had no shot so kind of punched out with a 7 iron. Couldn't get up and down for the par settled for bogey, even on the day.

14 I gave myself a shot at another birdie from about 10 feet, came up short settled for par.

15 I blasted a drive down the right hand side. Had about 240 left to the hole. Unfortunately I pushed my rescue a little right and was just below the green. Good lob shot left my self 6 feet for birdie, missed the putt again, still even.

16 was routine. Got to the fringe on the right in 3 with about 15 feet for birdie. Lipped this one out, settle for par again.

17 I came up short and right of the green. Decent chip to about 5 feet, made the putt for par.

18 I was determined to birdie 18 for a under par round. Blasted a drive to about 145 out. But mishit my 8 iron and came up short of the green. Hit a bad lob shot to about 8 feet for par. Fortunately I made a great stroke on the putt and drained it for a par to shoot 72, again, twice in 1 week. Awesome. From the blues, but still great.

I also beat Ralph on this last putt to win the match so that was cool. Never had so much trouble winning a match while shooting 72. Still good times.

So what did I learn shooting this 72? My mindset on the course has changed. I was attacking 72 or lower. I wasn't playing nervous waiting for myself to screw up a good round. I was going after the flag stick. I wanted to be under par so bad. I used to think to much and be afraid something bad was going to happen, think about bad shots in the past. Not any more. I just wanted to go low. I had no fear and I was even a little disappointed I shot 72. Not upset, but knew i could have been under. Going to continue this. I got mens tour on Saturday, final event. Going to play well there. In fact, I'm going to be in the top 5 at this tournament. Bold? maybe. But I will be in that top 5 after the round is over.

Then it's on to Cal, maybe. If this guy gets the balls to play me right now I'm going to play him and win my first Langley cup. But right now he knows I'm to hot on the course for him to play and he's trying to push it into September when my game usually deteriorates due to football season. Not going to happen this year. I'm going to keep playing and stay focused on golf till he man ups and plays me.

Handicap is down to a 2.6 (3). That awesome, think I might be lower then Matt for the first time ever?

I'll say it for you guys, I'm GOOOOOOOOOD.