There are days when every drive is far, you miss every branch and every putt sticks. Today was not one of those days. I started out with a birdie 3, scrambled for a bogie save on the second hole, and even scored well on the two skinny holes on the ridge. But alas, as soon as we got to the other side of the hill, the wheels fell off the bus. I took back-to-back sevens and it was just awfully hard to play with any sincerity after that. From there I pretty much messed up every other hole.

I just have to learn how to play with more consistency. I know I need more field work and to find more reliable drivers. I was very happy with my short drives and approaches, but I was all over the place off the tee. I also need to learn to ‘take my medicine.’ When a hole isn’t going well and i’m in a bad spot, I need to accept that I’m not going to score well and just stop the bleeding instead of trying to be heroic and just making it worse.

Regardless, I had a pretty good card and a few shots worth smiling about. The sun came out for a while and that certainly helped. All in all it was a wonderful few days and I just love those courses. I’m gonna be back next year for sure! I’m looking forward to going back over my scores from my last venture out here to see how my game has changed :)

Well, that’s all for now. Stay tuned next week when the Jurk and I set sail for the 2010 Japan Open!

Today marked the first round since the practice day that I didn’t get rained on! It was perfect conditions! As I walked back to my bag after the first drive, Greg and his ‘business associate’ arrived. I gave them a couple quick etiquette tips and off we went!

I missed a jumper for birdie 3 on the first hole, slid onto the ob on the next and missed my par putt on the third. Not exactly a stellar start. I shaved a few strokes off later holes, but missed the birdies in the woods I got yesterday and even bogied one of them thanks to a rushed putt.

Still, I had some great saves, including a 3 from the schule on the ‘Genius’, which had plagued me yesterday. I had smacked another early tree, leaving me a completely blocked 500 feet to the pin. I took my only option, flipping a champ wraith over 10’s tee accross the road and back, which then flexed in and landed 20 feet short and right of the pin! A bunch of spectators went kinda nuts and I had to laugh, couldn’t believe it actually worked. I hit my putt, carding one of the most unlikely birds I’ve ever gotten.

All in all, I finished 4 strokes better than yesterday. I really should be under 60 on the east course, maybe next year!

Looking forward to getting some revenge on the west course tomorrow! Aiming for 55, let’s see what happens :)