Ok, so in all honesty, I didn't feel that it would be fair to submit a Father's Day story to the Duramed Futures Tour page this weekend after not having my Mother's Day story posted. So, Dad gets a little blog on here just like Mom!! First, Happy Father's Day to everyone that it applies. I had a fun day here in Decatur celebrating with another family, but would have preferred to have been at home celebrating with my family..(well, in all reality, it probably wouldn't have been celebrating...probably more like helping in the yard to get ready for the wedding!!!) Anyway, I have a couple of stories about Dad to share. This is really quite fun since most of you know him and can truly appreciate some of the "crap" that he dishes out!!
I believe it was my sophomore year in high school, before I was to turn 16 and get my driver's license. Driving home from high school practice, with my younger sister in the car, we passed a bright yellow (popular at the time) truck. He informed me that if I could shoot under 70 the next day in Prineville at our tournament then he would by Kristin (my younger sister) that truck. Wow...wait just one minute. This is quite a deal for me, huh? So, you're telling me that if I go out and break 70 then you will by that truck for my sister? Where is the benefit in that for me? He seemed to think it was a good deal because she wouldn't be able to drive for 2 years so she would let me drive it. Yeah, right...knowing my sister, I'm sure she would just gladly hand over the keys!! End of the story is I missed a short birdie putt on the 18th to shoot 69, so I ended up with a 70 and we didn't have to worry about the details of the truck!!! He still tells that story with a huge smile on his face, I think because he realizes how lousy of a deal that was for me?!!!
Another memory I have I am not as clear on the details. I believe it was something very similar though. If I were to break 70 during my summer tournaments he would shave his head. (I think this was actually meant as torture for my mom as she hated his hair that short) I shot 67 at the OGA Members course at Tukwila and happily called him and informed him that he lost the bet. He showed up the next day with a buzzed head. Everyone was giving him a hard time telling him that he hadn't followed through with his end of the bargain and that a buzz was different from a shaved head!! I have the picture and the fun memory of all of those birdies, knowing with each one that he was going to have to follow through with his end of the deal!!!
(Maybe I need another "deal" Dad...perhaps that would help bring in the birdies??!!!) Just kidding!
I feel very lucky to have such a supportive, involved, and caring Dad and know without a doubt that I will always have his love and support no matter what I do on or off the golf course. I know that he shares my passion for being out here and with that my disappointment when I do not perform to my expectations. It is great to have the support system that I do at home! I am hoping that he and my mom both will be able to be experiencing it a little more with me out here once the wedding is over! (hint)
Happy Father's Day Dad...love you always!!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Random Blog
Ok, so I'm going to apologize in advance for this being a short, random blog. I do not have wireless internet and don't want to take up the computer for very long. I'm going to just tell you about a few random things that happened over the last week or so.
Today I competed in my 3rd "Yes One Grand Challenge" putting contest. Every few weeks they have one for people who are using the Yes putters. They hold 3 or 4 different shot-gun qualifiers and the low 3 scores and ties get into a sudden death playoff after that. The first week, I didn't post a score that went to the finals. A couple of weeks ago in Lake Geneva, I was 2 under and qualified for the playoff. The first hole of the playoff I 3-putted and was eliminated. This week, I qualified again and survived 4 holes until another girl drained a putt and the whole thing was over. So, the way I see it...it's a progression and next time guess who will be the winner?!!!
At last week's event in Hammond, Indiana on the first tee of the second round we were given our pin sheets and scorecards. Then we were handed a memo from the head honchos of the tour. The memo read as follows:
The Duramed FUTURES Tour Executive Committee has exercised its right to make the following amendment to the 2007 Player Rules and Regulations. This change goes into effect immediately.
Repairing Ball Marks, Replacing Divots, and Raking Bunkers
In any round of practice, pro-am, or tournament competition, any player who fails to replace a divot or repair a ball mark as a result of a shot she has played, or fails to rake a bunker after playing from the bunker will be fined fifty dollars ($50) for each offense. This violation may be reported by a fellow competitor, caddie, volunteer, spectator, etc. and the fine is not subject to appeal. Any repeat violations of this policy may result in additional fines and/or further action by the Tour.
Ok, first, I would just like to say that we are professionals. Is this a joke that we're having to be threatened with a fine in order to make people fix divots and ball-marks. I have always been a strong believer in karma with golf, and I fear that if I don't fix a divot in the fairway...guess where I'm going to end up the next day?!! Also, why is it difficult to fix 2 or 3 ball marks when you're walking to your ball on the green? I don't know about you, but I found this saddening.
And lastly, I have to refer once again to our volunteer cart drivers, bless their hearts. I heard some stories from last week's event that made my situation seem like heaven. A friend of mine had a driver that literally drove on the green on the first hole. Drove on the green!!! Right across the first green. I think I would have needed a change of clothes if I were in that group because I probably would have wet myself. Anyway, my driver on the last day was pushing 85 or 90 and was the sweetest thing ever. He was very much trying to error on the cautious side and stayed pretty far away from us. The other girl that had her bag on the cart and I were constantly having to tell him to come on over, don't be shy, pull right up next to us. I say constantly, and I mean pretty much every shot!!! Also, for anyone that was following, during the last round I started very hot and had some struggles from there on in. I had 4 penalty strokes with all the hazards that surrounded that golf course. Anyway, Ben (that's our driver's name) kept informing me that my penalty strokes were just killing me and my score. He also would inform me after I took drops and was prepared to hit my next shot that I should be careful not to hit the ball into hazards that were up by the green as well, and told me where all of the trouble was. For anyone that knows golf...one of the major sins is bringing up the trouble, because that's what goes into the golfer's mind. The brain doesn't hear the word "don't" so all it hears is "hazard up there on the left" or whatnot. Anyway, at this point all I could do was laugh and I did a lot of it!!!
We are in Decatur, Illinois this week for the tour's "MAJOR" of the season. It has the biggest purse ($105,000) and is a 4-day event, when they are normally 3. I hear that this tournament has the biggest fan base and support of the tournament, so I'm excited to see. It is a mandatory caddy event and I have been given my volunteer caddy for the week. I believe that I have the only female caddy of the whole group...so maybe that will be good luck!! Live scoring again this week at www.duramedfuturestour.com I'll write more next week!!
~Kailin (PS...it turns out that wasn't a short blog after all...I had a lot to say apparently)
Today I competed in my 3rd "Yes One Grand Challenge" putting contest. Every few weeks they have one for people who are using the Yes putters. They hold 3 or 4 different shot-gun qualifiers and the low 3 scores and ties get into a sudden death playoff after that. The first week, I didn't post a score that went to the finals. A couple of weeks ago in Lake Geneva, I was 2 under and qualified for the playoff. The first hole of the playoff I 3-putted and was eliminated. This week, I qualified again and survived 4 holes until another girl drained a putt and the whole thing was over. So, the way I see it...it's a progression and next time guess who will be the winner?!!!
At last week's event in Hammond, Indiana on the first tee of the second round we were given our pin sheets and scorecards. Then we were handed a memo from the head honchos of the tour. The memo read as follows:
The Duramed FUTURES Tour Executive Committee has exercised its right to make the following amendment to the 2007 Player Rules and Regulations. This change goes into effect immediately.
Repairing Ball Marks, Replacing Divots, and Raking Bunkers
In any round of practice, pro-am, or tournament competition, any player who fails to replace a divot or repair a ball mark as a result of a shot she has played, or fails to rake a bunker after playing from the bunker will be fined fifty dollars ($50) for each offense. This violation may be reported by a fellow competitor, caddie, volunteer, spectator, etc. and the fine is not subject to appeal. Any repeat violations of this policy may result in additional fines and/or further action by the Tour.
Ok, first, I would just like to say that we are professionals. Is this a joke that we're having to be threatened with a fine in order to make people fix divots and ball-marks. I have always been a strong believer in karma with golf, and I fear that if I don't fix a divot in the fairway...guess where I'm going to end up the next day?!! Also, why is it difficult to fix 2 or 3 ball marks when you're walking to your ball on the green? I don't know about you, but I found this saddening.
And lastly, I have to refer once again to our volunteer cart drivers, bless their hearts. I heard some stories from last week's event that made my situation seem like heaven. A friend of mine had a driver that literally drove on the green on the first hole. Drove on the green!!! Right across the first green. I think I would have needed a change of clothes if I were in that group because I probably would have wet myself. Anyway, my driver on the last day was pushing 85 or 90 and was the sweetest thing ever. He was very much trying to error on the cautious side and stayed pretty far away from us. The other girl that had her bag on the cart and I were constantly having to tell him to come on over, don't be shy, pull right up next to us. I say constantly, and I mean pretty much every shot!!! Also, for anyone that was following, during the last round I started very hot and had some struggles from there on in. I had 4 penalty strokes with all the hazards that surrounded that golf course. Anyway, Ben (that's our driver's name) kept informing me that my penalty strokes were just killing me and my score. He also would inform me after I took drops and was prepared to hit my next shot that I should be careful not to hit the ball into hazards that were up by the green as well, and told me where all of the trouble was. For anyone that knows golf...one of the major sins is bringing up the trouble, because that's what goes into the golfer's mind. The brain doesn't hear the word "don't" so all it hears is "hazard up there on the left" or whatnot. Anyway, at this point all I could do was laugh and I did a lot of it!!!
We are in Decatur, Illinois this week for the tour's "MAJOR" of the season. It has the biggest purse ($105,000) and is a 4-day event, when they are normally 3. I hear that this tournament has the biggest fan base and support of the tournament, so I'm excited to see. It is a mandatory caddy event and I have been given my volunteer caddy for the week. I believe that I have the only female caddy of the whole group...so maybe that will be good luck!! Live scoring again this week at www.duramedfuturestour.com I'll write more next week!!
~Kailin (PS...it turns out that wasn't a short blog after all...I had a lot to say apparently)
Monday, June 4, 2007
Success.......?
Success is defined in the dictionary as degree or measure of succeeding, or a favorable or desired outcome. My week in Lake Geneva would be described as success. I know some of you are thinking..."hmmm, 81-77 and missing the cut, how is that success?" But, that would be my description of choice. I say that because I am getting so close. Again, you're wondering how an 81 and a 77 is getting close to where I want to be. It was a matter of 2 or 3 different swings that cost me a number of strokes and a stretch of poor putting for about 4 or 5 holes. Other than that, I am hitting the ball very well, better than I have been, and gaining the confidence back, slowly. This was the best venue we have been to all season, and I would recommend a vacation to this area to anyone. It is absolutely gorgeous here.
The weather was interesting all week, lots of rain, and many delays. I will leave this morning for Hammond, Indiana, which is only 2 hours away. You have no idea how exciting that sounds after the 10 and 12 hour drives we were doing in Texas. They are having a fun, free, money available to win Par 3 contest today in Hammond. A friend and I are going to play, mostly because we can enter for free and win money, but also because we thought it would be fun and good practice!!
I had fun at home and was disappointed to leave, probably because after being gone for so long a week doesn't seem long enough. Also because I knew I was leaving for 5 weeks and the next time I go home it will be pure craziness with the wedding. It already is craziness there...a word of advice, do not go into the wedding business while planning your own daughter's wedding. There is a lot going on at the Downs' residence and I am not disappointed that I don't have to deal with all of that!!! Good luck with that Mom and Dad. Off to Hammond, until next week...birdies!!!
The weather was interesting all week, lots of rain, and many delays. I will leave this morning for Hammond, Indiana, which is only 2 hours away. You have no idea how exciting that sounds after the 10 and 12 hour drives we were doing in Texas. They are having a fun, free, money available to win Par 3 contest today in Hammond. A friend and I are going to play, mostly because we can enter for free and win money, but also because we thought it would be fun and good practice!!
I had fun at home and was disappointed to leave, probably because after being gone for so long a week doesn't seem long enough. Also because I knew I was leaving for 5 weeks and the next time I go home it will be pure craziness with the wedding. It already is craziness there...a word of advice, do not go into the wedding business while planning your own daughter's wedding. There is a lot going on at the Downs' residence and I am not disappointed that I don't have to deal with all of that!!! Good luck with that Mom and Dad. Off to Hammond, until next week...birdies!!!
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