WNB Classic - Second Round

The ball striking was better today. Kevin was able to keep it in play off the tee on a very difficult driving course. His four birdies, two bogeys, gave us a two under par round (70). The even par total left us two shots short of the cut. 

Even though it was a short week, we took away some valuable things. We learned a lot about the importance of swinging within himself, with good tempo and rhythm, especially while playing in the wind. He continues to work hard on the short game and putting. And we also worked on a new routine between player/caddy that gets us both working together on every shot. So, even though the results were not what we wanted, it was not a wasted week.

After the round, Kevin was able to get a flight out and headed home Friday night. He is scheduled to play in the Monday after the Masters Pro-am in Myrtle Beach, SC on Monday. I was not able to change my flight until Sunday so I will not be leaving until Sunday morning. Fortunately for me, Kevin invited me to stay in private housing with him this week. We are staying in the home of Larry and Anne Phillips, who were nice enough to open their house to us even though they were going to a wedding this weekend in Dallas. Its a little lonely, but at least I have a golf tournament to watch on TV!

We are off once again next week. Our next start will be in two weeks in Valdosta, GA.

WNB Classic (Midland, TX) - First Round

The golf was a little loose today. We made three birdies and an eagle but backed those up with seven bogeys for a two over par 74. After two great days of practice on Monday and Tuesday and hitting it great; we had to play in the Wednesday pro-am yesterday morning in 20 mph winds with a wind chill of 27 degrees. Kevin's swing got a little out of whack in those conditions. When he came out today, he felt a little off. We started the day hitting the opening tee shot in the "junk" where we were forced to chip out sideways. Kevin came back with a nice birdie on the next hole but another drive into the left trees on our ninth hole (#18) led to another bogey. We made the turn at one over par.

The back nine was a roller coaster. Two birdies, an eagle, five bogeys and the only one par coming on the last hole. It was a total mixed bag. We had some great shots, poor shots, a penalty shot, a three putt and then topped it all off with a tee shot, finishing on the edge of the fairway, that stopped up against a stick that was blown off a nearby tree. Not being able to move the stick, we tried to hit a 9 iron but it only flew about 100 yards. When it was all said and done, we shot another one over par, therefore, finishing the day two over (74).

We tee off tomorrow at 8:45. Hopefully we can take advantage of some lighter wind conditions in the morning and post a number that will keep us around for the weekend.

2013 Blog / Off to Midland, TX

As I'm packing up and getting ready to leave for Midland, I figured it was about time I started to blog and get everyone up to speed with what is going on. As most of you know, Kevin started the year with three events out of the country. After two missed cuts in Panama and Bogota, Kevin picked up a win at the Chile Classic. Unfortunately for me, I was not there for those events. Because of the high travel expenses associated with these events, I had to make a tough decision to stay home. I decided to stay home and work the odd jobs I had to get me through the winter. After four months of driving a delivery truck, working in a woodworking shop, working on a ranch and herding cattle, cutting firewood, coaching basketball, coaching indoor soccer, and eBaying; I am ready to get back to my real job. I found out quickly how blessed I am to be able to have a job I love waking up and doing every single day.

So now it is off to Texas. Kevin did not play this week in Brasil so he is playing in the Monday proam in Midland. Kevin skipped this event in 2010 when he was on the Nationwide Tour. The extra day will help him get familiar with the course. It's time to go chase down win number two.

Q-School Finals Heartbreaker

PAINFUL I am sure that everyone has seen the final results from today and knows that we missed earning our PGA Tour Card for 2013 by one shot. Kevin shot five under par (67) on the fifth round and continued to climb right up the board. A total of 18 under over the last three rounds put us in 17th place; one shot inside the top 25 when the day started. 

Kevin played well today. Three birdies and three bogeys on the front nine had us turning at even par for the day. Even though we made three bogeys, only one came from a poor swing. After a birdie on the second hole, we drove it into the rough on three and it forced us to play our second shot short right of the green. We were unable to get that up and down but Kevin came right back with another great birdie on the par 3 fourth. That birdie was short lived as we decided to play our second shot on the reachable par 5 fifth at the green. Playing from 236 yards to the front and a water hazard right, we decided the best play would be a three wood left of the green and then try to get the ball up and down for birdie. Kevin hit a flush three wood but the ball never turned left and it landed about a yard short of the green in to the water hazard. That mistake led to the second bogey for the day. After two good pars on 6 and 7, Kevin made a great up and down on the par 5 eighth to get us back to one under par. But once again, that birdie was short lived when the first poor swing of the day came when the second shot missed the green right on nine. That bogey moved us back to even as we made the turn to the back nine. 

The back nine was just a bunch of missed opportunities. Kevin hit and drove the ball great. The only struggles came from a few wedge shots not going the correct yardages and then the putts not falling. Kevin fought hard and handled the pressure like a true champion. On one of the toughest finishing holes in golf, knowing we needed birdie, Kevin stood up and hit a perfect drive and then an 8 iron to ten feet. Just like Finals in 2009, we had a 10 footer to get his Card. A great putt that refused to break and rolled over the top edge of the cup. A total of 416 shots (16 under par) over six rounds of golf and we fall one shot short.

The feelings are awful. Almost a numbness and disbelief, maybe a bit of shock. And I'm just the caddy. I can't imagine what Kevin is feeling. So, now, I sit here in the Phoenix Airport waiting on my flight home. It's a "red-eye" but I don't think I'll get much sleep. It hurts. It brings tears to my eyes. It sucks. But I guess I have to remember that it's still just a game. I've been blessed to be able to travel the world, playing it professionally for 12 years and caddying for 7 years. I truly love my job and when it is all said and done, I wouldn't trade this for anything else. 

I want to thank great friends, Rick and Bev Newsome, that came all the way from Victoria, Canada and Harry Robinson, who drove seven hours from Pebble Beach, CA to support Kevin and myself over the past few days. It was great to see and spent time with you guys. I also want to thank each and everyone of you that continue to read my blog. The support is overwhelming. I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas. Thanks again for your support.

Q-School Finals - 3rd and 4th Rounds

Kevin made the move we needed to get back into the game!! His 13 under par over the last two rounds (66 - 65) puts us at 11 under total and only one shot off the "top 25" which stands at 12 under with two rounds to play.

The amazing part of the whole thing is Kevin's great play comes while not feeling well. He woke up during the night on Thursday with a fever but started to feel better as the day (Friday) went on. Symptoms came back last night (Friday) and he had a terrible night trying to get some rest. He was extremely tired all day today and things did not improve through round. We just kept the fluids in him and he was able to get through the day.

We tee off tomorrow on the Nicklaus Tournament course at 8:20. Let's hope some medicine tonight will help him get some rest and start feeling better.

Tour School Finals - Second Round

Two bad swings and one bad break lead to three golf balls into water hazards. The day got started with the opening tee shot finding the water. After a drop, Kevin made a great up and down from 120 yards and saved a bogey. We were able to get it back to even for the day when we arrived at the island green, par three, 17th (our 8th hole). A pull hooked iron did not find land and we finished the hole with a double. Another double bogey came on our 16th hole after a perfect drive found a sand filled divot in the middle of the fairway. We didn't catch it clean coming out of the divot and the ball failed to cover the water hazard short of the green. At the end of the day, it all added up to a three over round (75).

With perfect weather conditions, the scores for the first two days have been very good. With four rounds left, we will need something special to get us back into the mix. We will play the Dye Stadium course tomorrow and then the Nicklaus Tournament course on Saturday. Our tee time is 10:00 tomorrow.

Tour School Finals - First Round

It has been a tough few weeks. I drove home from Second Stage in Houston, TX and within two days, the entire family had the flu. We spent Thanksgiving week in the bed or on the couch. I flew out here to Palm Springs on Saturday but I'm still feeling the effects from the flu. I have not been able to regain my strength and have been extremely tired every night. So, with that being said, I'm going to try and keep the blogs short.

Kevin had three great practice days leading up to the first round today. We played the Nicklaus Tournament course and the weather was perfect. Kevin got off to a nice start, making the turn in three under. Things turned a little sloppy on the back. After going for the par five, 11th, we finished pin high right in two shots. Playing the third shot from a deep valley, Kevin's pitch shot was hit "thin" and shot across the green into a green side bunker. We were unable to get that up and down, finishing the hole with a bogey six. Two more bogeys and one birdie gave us a two over back nine and one under (71) for the round. 

After the round, we had some lunch and then practiced. We switch over to the Dye Stadium course tomorrow, so I went out and walked the course; checking pin positions, figuring out a game plan, etc. Kevin was still practicing when I finished. The sun was setting and it was getting dark, so we both called it a day. After a quick dinner and shower, it is time for a long nights rest. We tee off tomorrow at 9:30.