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!!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Home Sweet Home!!
There was positive and negative at the conclusion of Saturday's round in Kansas City. The negative was that I missed the cut this week (by one) after two tough days of battle with the strongest course we have played all year. The positive was that I get one more day at home. No offense to my family, but I would have rather played golf on Sunday...Sorry!!! Anyway, with the week off, and with my Dad already being in Kansas, I flew home with him and am getting to spend the week here. I will switch modes at the end of this week and be the host of my sister's wedding shower. It's a nice little break from golf, but you can definitely say that I won't be going into the wedding shower business. Not only do I get to throw the shower this weekend, but I am finally getting to see the progress that is being made on the wedding site (the house) and also am able to see the cutest little puppies ever (we have an English Setter and a Golden Retriever for those that don't know). Oh, yeah, I'm also getting to see my family!!
For the second tournament in a row, my Dad made his appearance as caddy!! I never quite know how it's going to go, because when I was younger he always used to be overly intense and spoke when he wasn't always spoken to. (As most of you know, the three up's of caddying are show up, keep up, and shut-up) Anyway, this has not been an issue at all. I have enjoyed every minute of it, and enjoy having him out there. This is almost going as far as a compliment, and generally I only write these things when it's some special day for him (i.e. Father's Day, Christmas, or birthday)...but I'll make an exception this time. I can honestly say that he has a calming effect on me on the golf course. I feel at ease and seem to hit shots that I wouldn't normally hit, but that he makes me believe I have the ability to. It's fun to have a caddy, making it feel more like you have someone on your team, rather than you against the world!! Seeing as how the majority of our tournaments are nowhere near Oregon, and my sister is taking up all of their time planning this wedding, my parents aren't able to be out with me all that often right now. However, when they are it is fun and very appreciated.
Well, next time I write I will be in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The tournament is June 1-3 and will again have live-scoring. I have submitted a blog to the Futures Tour for the weekly player's blog that they post on the website. I will let you know when it is scheduled to be put up as I'm sure that you will all be very anxious to read it!!! Off to have a great week at home!
For the second tournament in a row, my Dad made his appearance as caddy!! I never quite know how it's going to go, because when I was younger he always used to be overly intense and spoke when he wasn't always spoken to. (As most of you know, the three up's of caddying are show up, keep up, and shut-up) Anyway, this has not been an issue at all. I have enjoyed every minute of it, and enjoy having him out there. This is almost going as far as a compliment, and generally I only write these things when it's some special day for him (i.e. Father's Day, Christmas, or birthday)...but I'll make an exception this time. I can honestly say that he has a calming effect on me on the golf course. I feel at ease and seem to hit shots that I wouldn't normally hit, but that he makes me believe I have the ability to. It's fun to have a caddy, making it feel more like you have someone on your team, rather than you against the world!! Seeing as how the majority of our tournaments are nowhere near Oregon, and my sister is taking up all of their time planning this wedding, my parents aren't able to be out with me all that often right now. However, when they are it is fun and very appreciated.
Well, next time I write I will be in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The tournament is June 1-3 and will again have live-scoring. I have submitted a blog to the Futures Tour for the weekly player's blog that they post on the website. I will let you know when it is scheduled to be put up as I'm sure that you will all be very anxious to read it!!! Off to have a great week at home!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!!!
I would first like to say Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there. If any of you have seen the special article they have on the Future's Tour web page, you will notice that I did not have a story posted there. As it turns out, I wrote one and got it in on time, but failed to send it to the correct email address. Figures huh? My mom said that she wouldn't even have noticed as she probably wouldn't have found it on the website. Anyway, I thought I would take this route of sending a special little message to mom.
I don't have one specific special memory of my mom and I or even a golf story. I do, however, remember very well all of the time and energy my mom has put into my golf for a number of years. Traveling long distances, putting together snacks and sandwiches for the team, carrying all of my extra clothing and umbrella and other crap around the golf course, baring the not-so-kind weather that comes with being a golfer, being a constant in my support system through good and not so good rounds, even caddying sometimes....and the list could go on and on!!! What I'm getting at is how thankful I am for everything that you have done for me mom. You are very loved and very missed. Happy Mother's Day!!!
I enjoyed my short week off last week in Albuquerque. It was so weird to not be playing practice rounds or getting up Friday for a tournament tee time. However, I would be lying if I said that it wasn't kind of nice for a little break!! I drove about 4 hours on Friday night and arrived in Dalhart, TX. For any of you who have never been here, you are not missing out on much. I literally had to drive with one hand covering my nose as I drove the 15 miles into town to refrain from throwing up. I have been through some smelly towns and smelly cow smells before, but this one was in it's own league. I am not sure how people live there, but it is an understatement to tell you that it was stinky!!! I got up on Saturday morning to finish the drive to Kansas City. I had to make a small detour as the highway was closed through Greensburg, KS. The highway that I took instead ran parallel to the highway through Greensburg, and while I'm not certain, I would be willing to be that the tornado swept up through the area I was driving through. There were power lines and poles down, trees completely uprooted and laying everywhere, and huge water system lines overturned and mangled. It was very humbling to think what these people had been through not to long ago. I arrived safely in Kansas City and am fortunate enough to be staying with a host family that I met a couple of years ago when I was here for the Women's Public Links tournament. I have a one day U.S. Women's Open local qualifier tomorrow and then will begin my week for the Future's Tour tournament, which will be held in this area as well, but at a different golf course.
Happy Mother's Day again!!!!
I don't have one specific special memory of my mom and I or even a golf story. I do, however, remember very well all of the time and energy my mom has put into my golf for a number of years. Traveling long distances, putting together snacks and sandwiches for the team, carrying all of my extra clothing and umbrella and other crap around the golf course, baring the not-so-kind weather that comes with being a golfer, being a constant in my support system through good and not so good rounds, even caddying sometimes....and the list could go on and on!!! What I'm getting at is how thankful I am for everything that you have done for me mom. You are very loved and very missed. Happy Mother's Day!!!
I enjoyed my short week off last week in Albuquerque. It was so weird to not be playing practice rounds or getting up Friday for a tournament tee time. However, I would be lying if I said that it wasn't kind of nice for a little break!! I drove about 4 hours on Friday night and arrived in Dalhart, TX. For any of you who have never been here, you are not missing out on much. I literally had to drive with one hand covering my nose as I drove the 15 miles into town to refrain from throwing up. I have been through some smelly towns and smelly cow smells before, but this one was in it's own league. I am not sure how people live there, but it is an understatement to tell you that it was stinky!!! I got up on Saturday morning to finish the drive to Kansas City. I had to make a small detour as the highway was closed through Greensburg, KS. The highway that I took instead ran parallel to the highway through Greensburg, and while I'm not certain, I would be willing to be that the tornado swept up through the area I was driving through. There were power lines and poles down, trees completely uprooted and laying everywhere, and huge water system lines overturned and mangled. It was very humbling to think what these people had been through not to long ago. I arrived safely in Kansas City and am fortunate enough to be staying with a host family that I met a couple of years ago when I was here for the Women's Public Links tournament. I have a one day U.S. Women's Open local qualifier tomorrow and then will begin my week for the Future's Tour tournament, which will be held in this area as well, but at a different golf course.
Happy Mother's Day again!!!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Unplayable Conditions
For any golfers out there, we all know that there can be unplayable conditions in the game of golf. Lightning and thunder, torrential downpours, a course that's flooded, snow, and there are probably some others that I am missing. However, I didn't think I would ever be adding wind to that list. On Saturday, the Futures Tour made a decision to suspend play for the day due to severe winds. No really, severe winds!! They made reference to earlier this year when the PGA canceled a round due to high winds. Other than that, can any of us remember ever hearing of a professional golf tournament being canceled due to wind? No, I didn't think so.
Saturday morning I got up and battled the winds for my 8:09 tee time. I don't know the exact numbers, but it was something around 24 m.p.h. with gusts higher than that. I played great, battled the conditions, and shot the low round of the morning. I knew going into the round that I needed to have a decent score in order to make the cut, but I also knew after a 71 in those conditions that I would be fine. In fact, I figured I probably would have moved significantly up the leader board. So, after my round, I'm on the range hitting balls and we hear the horns. (The horns signify the rules official's stopping play) We were all looking at each other with very confused looks on our faces as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was about 80 degrees out.
Long story short...they suspended play due to unplayable wind conditions. I have never seen some of these girls more up in arms and fired up as I did when they canceled the round. Those of us who played in the morning felt that it was highly unfair that we had all just played a round of golf in those conditions and the afternoon tee times were going to get off free. It was an experience I will never forget. If you haven't read the daily wrap-up for the 2nd round in El Paso on the Duramed Futures Tour page it's a must read. They make reference to a cart being thrown to a stop when the wind blew the key to the off position, nearly throwing the rules official through the windshield. Wow, are you kidding? Truly, you're not fooling any of us. We aren't falling for that!
A little bird told me that I should focus on the fact that I played so well in those conditions and that I can't control what happens about the rest of the day. Well, I had to share my story though, because even though I couldn't control the situation, I felt that I had the right to be upset about their decision.
So, I made the cut and had a less than stellar round on Sunday again. I know you're all thinking that you should inform me that it helps to shoot a low score on the last day. When you play well it moves you up the leader board rather than down. Well, it might seem like I am missing that piece of information, but I really do know that. I am playing better golf and gaining a world of confidence. It's all a matter of putting it together and making some putts and scoring better.
I am off this week, in Albuquerque. I head to Kansas City this weekend as I have a Women's Open qualifier on Monday followed by the next Futures Tour event there later that week. I will be home in two weeks to throw a shower for my sister.
I had a great time last week with my Dad on the bag (even with all of the complaining he was doing...the bag was too heavy, the strap was too thin, it was hurting his shoulder) and Jackie down to watch. I found it comical that when we got in the car Sunday night to make the drive up to Albuquerque that they were complaining about a 3 and a half hour drive. Ha...that's a piece of cake compared to 13 hour days in the car!!! Until next time...
Saturday morning I got up and battled the winds for my 8:09 tee time. I don't know the exact numbers, but it was something around 24 m.p.h. with gusts higher than that. I played great, battled the conditions, and shot the low round of the morning. I knew going into the round that I needed to have a decent score in order to make the cut, but I also knew after a 71 in those conditions that I would be fine. In fact, I figured I probably would have moved significantly up the leader board. So, after my round, I'm on the range hitting balls and we hear the horns. (The horns signify the rules official's stopping play) We were all looking at each other with very confused looks on our faces as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was about 80 degrees out.
Long story short...they suspended play due to unplayable wind conditions. I have never seen some of these girls more up in arms and fired up as I did when they canceled the round. Those of us who played in the morning felt that it was highly unfair that we had all just played a round of golf in those conditions and the afternoon tee times were going to get off free. It was an experience I will never forget. If you haven't read the daily wrap-up for the 2nd round in El Paso on the Duramed Futures Tour page it's a must read. They make reference to a cart being thrown to a stop when the wind blew the key to the off position, nearly throwing the rules official through the windshield. Wow, are you kidding? Truly, you're not fooling any of us. We aren't falling for that!
A little bird told me that I should focus on the fact that I played so well in those conditions and that I can't control what happens about the rest of the day. Well, I had to share my story though, because even though I couldn't control the situation, I felt that I had the right to be upset about their decision.
So, I made the cut and had a less than stellar round on Sunday again. I know you're all thinking that you should inform me that it helps to shoot a low score on the last day. When you play well it moves you up the leader board rather than down. Well, it might seem like I am missing that piece of information, but I really do know that. I am playing better golf and gaining a world of confidence. It's all a matter of putting it together and making some putts and scoring better.
I am off this week, in Albuquerque. I head to Kansas City this weekend as I have a Women's Open qualifier on Monday followed by the next Futures Tour event there later that week. I will be home in two weeks to throw a shower for my sister.
I had a great time last week with my Dad on the bag (even with all of the complaining he was doing...the bag was too heavy, the strap was too thin, it was hurting his shoulder) and Jackie down to watch. I found it comical that when we got in the car Sunday night to make the drive up to Albuquerque that they were complaining about a 3 and a half hour drive. Ha...that's a piece of cake compared to 13 hour days in the car!!! Until next time...
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Good Times in McAllen
I couldn't resist sharing some of my comical happenings while I was in McAllen. I realize that some of these (ok, maybe all of them) will probably not be funny to any of you who were not present. That old "you probably had to be there" thing comes into play. Nonetheless, I thought I should still share my funnies with you!!
- I volunteered for this week's junior clinic in McAllen. The Duramed Futures Tour holds one every week at each tournament site. It was approximately 96 degrees with the intense sun beating down on us. Mind you that this was after a 5 hour practice round and an hour of practice. I was given the task of teaching putting. My first group was about 10 kids around the ages of 6 or 7. No joke, after 2 minutes, they asked if they could sit down. Who am I to tell them that they can't sit? So, they sat. Now what? There are only so many things you can tell 6 year olds about putting without them actually performing the act. Imagine what our tournament rounds would be like if we could just stop and sit down whenever we felt like it.....Now there's a thought!!! I also should note that it's a little on the challenging side when a large portion of the kids you are attempting to teach do not understand English.
- On Thursday there were 2 pro-ams (which I am not allowed to play in yet as a rookie) which meant that the course was closed. After a morning of practice at the course, my friend Kelley and I decided to have an afternoon of "girl stuff." This is turning out to be a bit of a tradition when we can't play a practice round on Thursdays. I guess you could call it a preparation day for Friday's round. Anyway, we were given coupons to receive a complimentary service of choice at the local beauty school. They were given to us at registration, and we figured that Thursday would be the perfect time. The comical part of this story is when we walk in only to find 4 Asian golfers, a golf mother, and Julie Wells, another girl from Oregon. As I sat there getting my pedicure, I observed the beauty school students (who didn't speak English very well, but attempted) trying to communicate with the Asian golfers, who spoke even less English. I found myself trying to translate what the other was trying to say...wait a minute...I don't speak Spanish or any other language for that matter. Was I kidding? Luckily, my student understood and spoke English. We had a very nice conversation, although I think she is still confused about the whole golfing tour, traveling around, my being from Oregon thing. We then went to a movie and we were the only two people in the theater. The movie was just released not even a week ago. We practically started gagging the minute we walked into the theater as the whole room smelled very strongly of mildew or must or mold or something. We had a good laugh about it, although at the end of the movie when we could still smell it, it wasn't so funny!! When I told the employee of the movie theater about the awful, nearly unbearable smell, she literally laughed at me, followed by an assurance that she would let her manager know. Yeah...and I'm going to fly to the moon tomorrow!!!
- Each week we have many volunteers to make these tournaments possible. They kindly give up their time during the 3 day tournament and it is greatly appreciated by the players. Each group has a volunteer cart driver. The players who do not have caddies are allowed to put their bags on the cart (a cart caddy) and their other task is to keep score and they report our 3-hole scores to the live-scoring. Anyway, this week during one of my rounds I had an elderly guy (I'm guessing around 80-85) and he did a fabulous job. However, at one point, I was putting my club back in my bag and he sat back down on the cart and actually farted!!! I had to keep myself from laughing out loud, but if nothing else it lightened the mood for that hole!
- After Sunday's round, my friend Kelley and I ventured to Progresso, the Mexican border town that is 15 minutes from McAllen. In my defense, we were going for a purpose. I was looking in the pharmacies for my special sunscreen (dermatologist recommended) and my Dad's gel for his shoulder. Much to the dismay of my parents and friends, we went and what an experience it was. First, did you know that they charge you to walk across the bridge? Yeah, it's a quarter to go into Mexico, and here's the real kicker...it costs 30 cents to come back into the United States. Wait, you mean to tell me that I have to pay money, (not to mention 5 cents more than Mexico charges), just to come back into my own country? Wow!!! Well, it was a partially unsuccessful trip as I found out that they don't believe in Sunscreen in the pharmacies in the border towns of Mexico. You can buy Viagra by the case loads and you can have a filling done for $25, but you can't buy sunscreen. Interesting!!! I found my Dad's stuff and off we went, very thankful when we stepped back on U.S. soil. I found it amusing as we walked past a guy offering to shine our shoes. When he realized that we both had flip-flops on and would not require a shoe shining, he quickly offered a pedicure!!! Really, you can just switch and perform something like a pedicure that easily? HMMMMM!!!!!
- And lastly, our trip ended with an adventure as we made the 12/13 hour drive today from McAllen to El Paso. As we entered San Antonio we were concerned we might be driving into a very large hurricane or tornado-ish storm. I can't express how black and scary looking it was. I hope to figure out how to get pictures on here soon...stay tuned!! Anyway, we were going 15 mph on the freeway, with everyone driving with their emergency flashers on as you could not see 3 feet in front of you. This lasted about 45 minutes. Yeah, and we still had about an 8 or 9 hour drive. Fun times, let me tell you!!!
I am in El Paso and am very ready for another fun filled week of golf on the Duramed Futures Tour. I am really enjoying myself and am especially excited this week as my Dad is coming in later in the week and will have the privilege (yes, privilege) of caddying for me. In addition, my college coach (and very best friend) is coming down to watch. I always enjoy having fans!!!
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