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.

Second Stage Q-School - Third Round

We didn't play well today. We started off struggling with the ball striking early in the round. Some pull hooks with the driver that led to penalty shots and a few loose irons gave us three bogeys through seven holes. Kevin was able to work through it and steadied the ship. Two late birdies on the 15th and 16th holes got us back to even par for the day and that's where we finished (72). Our nine under total still keeps us in great position to advance. We are tied for sixth and four shots clear of the "number".

After the round, Kevin went through a few putting drills and then hit some balls. We focused on ball position and the pace off the ball. I thought he looked quick in the first move off the ball which effects the entire tempo of the swing. He also felt like his ball position was a little off so we just made sure it was where he wanted it to be. A round of golf is always about making adjustments. Kevin made the changes and was able to save the round. It was a hard fought day and we are pleased with the even par.

We tee off tomorrow at 10:10. Benji and his man shot the same score (72), so we will once again be paired together tomorrow. I look forward to another day of learning from one of the best club caddies in the world

Second Stage Q-School - Round Two

Kevin played well again today. With lighter winds but still cold temperatures, Kevin played solid, shooting five under par (67). Teeing off the back nine, we made the turn four under but had an up and down back nine which included four birdies, one bogey and one double. The double came from a poor swing with an 8 iron that was pull hooked into a greenside bunker and plugged. Kevin was not able to get the ball out of the trap and then failed to get the next bunker shot up and down. He bounced back nicely, with birdies on four of the next six holes. We finished the day with a bogey on the last after our drive found the right rough. With a little bit of tree trouble, we missed the green and couldn't get it up and down. It was a tough way to finish but our nine under total puts us only one shot off the lead with two rounds to play.

For the second week in a row, I get to caddy with my roommate. This week, I'm rooming with Benji Thompson. Benji caddied the year for Casey Wittenberg on the Web.Com Tour. They finished number one on that money list and will be spending next year on the PGA Tour. Since he is such a great caddy, Phillip Molica called Benji and asked him to come work second stage. They are also at nine under par through two rounds and tied with us. Can't wait to get out there tomorrow and learn a little something from my boy, Benji. 

2nd Stage Q-School - First Round

It was another cold and windy day. When we started today, temps were around 40 degrees and the wind was blowing a steady 15mph, making it feel like the upper 30's. Kevin played great all day. He only made one poor swing. It came off the 15th tee. We caught a break and had an opening to the green and still had a 20 foot putt for birdie. He managed his game perfect today, hitting 15 greens and putting the ball in the correct spots for easy up and downs. He was able to make four birdies with no bogeys for 68.

After the round, we had some lunch and then a light practice session. The winds have calmed down but the temps were still cold. We went through some putting drills and then hit some balls before calling it a day. We tee off tomorrow at 10:00. The forecast for the rest of the week has cool temperatures but calmer winds.

Disney - 2nd Round / Q-School Practice (Houston)

Friday at Disney was better. All areas of the game were better but we still fell short of making the cut by three shots. Kevin's one under par (71) put us two over for the week and sending us back to second stage of Q-School in Houston.

With Tour School starting on Tuesday, we both left for Houston on Saturday. I took the 14 hour drive from Orlando to Houston and rolled into town just before 7pm. Kevin flew over earlier in the day and then took me out for dinner after I arrived. On Sunday, we went out to the golf course about 9am but we were not able to tee off until 12 noon. After some short game practice, range work and lunch, we went out and played a nine hole practice round with Richard Scott and Chris Epperson. With the wind blowing a steady 15mph, Kevin played well. He finished his day with a workout.

Today was another windy day. With the wind blowing from the north, which makes this golf course play it's hardest, it also kept the temperature down as it struggled to get above 60 degrees. We played our practice round today with Richard Scott, Stephen Poole and Phillip Molica. Kevin is once again on point and ready for the week. Now it's time to go out and get it done.

We time off tomorrow at 8:50. The forecast is for another cold and windy day. 

Disney - First Round

We woke up to a cold and windy morning. With temperature hovering around fifty and the wind blowing about 15mph, the wind chill was in the low 40's as we went through our warmup. As the day went on, the temperatures rose but our game remained cold. Right from the start, Kevin struggled with his ball striking which meant slightly miss hits were being pushed off line and club selection was difficult in the windy conditions. The end result was a three over round (75). This puts us in a tough position heading into tomorrow but, with what I have seen earlier this week, I know a good round is within reach. On a positive note, Kevin's putting was very good. He made a lot of 6-10 footers and finished the day with only 28 putts. Now we just need to put it all together!!

Today, our amateur partner was a former Greenbay Packers (8yrs) and Minnesota Vikings (7yrs) placekicker, Ryan Longwell. Ryan is the fifth most accurate kicker in the history of the NFL but was released earlier this year by the Vikings for Georgia Bulldog placekicker, Blair Walsh. Ummm, could that be why we didn't play well today?

We tee off tomorrow at 11:45.

Children's Miracle Network Classic (Disney) - Practice

This is it. The final PGA Tour event for the 2012 season. Kevin stands at 167th on the money list and I am projecting a top three finish alone will give us enough to earn full exempt status for next year. A top ten will earn us Conditional Status on next years PGA Tour and a trip straight to the Tour School Finals. Anything else, will send us back to Second Stage of Tour School next week in Houston, TX.

Kevin arrived at Disney on Saturday and spent Sunday at the parks with Brittany, Stephanie, Eddie and the kids. I drove down to my parents in Jacksonville on Sunday and then met Kevin Monday morning. We had three solid days of practice. Because this event is a pro-am and played on two courses, the Tour allows us to play practice rounds in golf carts. On Monday, we played 27 holes with Scott Brown, Jason Bohn and Steven Bowditch. Tuesday was another fun day out on the courses as we played another 27 holes. We played in a fivesome with the same guys, adding Boo Weekley as the fifth. We finished our practice today (Wednesday) with a nine hole practice round. Kevin is hitting it well and has worked extremely hard on his putting over the past few weeks. He made an adjustment in his setup with the putter and it has made a huge difference. His head is now staying still and he is striking the putts dead center on the face. I liked spending the majority of our practice time out on the courses - hitting drives, chipping and putting. I think it gives us a better feel for things practicing on the course and I'm excited about the week. Kevin is relaxed and seems at peace with whatever happens.

Our tee times this week are 7:45 on the Palm (Thursday) and 11:45 on the Magnolia (Friday). Another cool thing the Tour does this week is allow the players to pick their playing partners for the first two days. Kevin is playing with longtime friend, Scott Brown. That means I get to caddy with my roommate, Nick Hughey. It will be the first time we have been paired together so Nick will get to see firsthand how great I am as a caddy. He has always heard how good I was, so now he will get to experience it. He will probably have trouble sleeping tonight!!!