Out of all the competitions I have been part of, the courses I have played in the UK, Spain and Florida, last week was just incredible.
Without doubt the greatest experience in golf I have ever had, standing on the putting green practising next to Paul Lawrie, Charly Hull to name a few was not something I was used to.
Just five short months ago I was an amateur playing in my monthly medals – now I have VIP passes and gala dinners to attend with some of the best players around.
I would like to thank all my friends and family that wished me luck – and a special thank you to all of you that also came along on the day
Day 1
I was first out at 7.20am with Warren Jacklin (Tony Jacklins son) course was a lot trickier than when I had qualified. We had been told that the greenkeepers from the Forest of Arden had been there all week cutting and rolling the greens and we didn’t take long to find this out as stopping the ball on the tiny greens was now very demanding.
I managed to get through the first nines holes in 1 over par and was pretty happy with that. The second nine was also very steady and with three holes to play I was only 2 over par.
The 7th, 8th and the 9th are probably the hardest holes on the course, but unfortunately unlike the first lap I made a bogey on each one finishing the day at +5
With the birdies I had made though, added to my amateurs birdies (nett) he had made we found ourselves on the team leaderboard at -5
Day 2
8.50 tee time and out with Jason Palmer who had qualified to play in this years US Open (better known for his one handed short game) google him and watch him it is pretty impressive.
But my golf today was so very different from day one. I overshot the first green and started with a double bogey and it didn’t improve much as the round continued.
I just carried on bogey after bogey and it was difficult to get back on the par train let alone the birdie one – it was so strange as the swing was still going well, but I just missed a green and couldn’t get up and down, the bunkers I found I had difficult lies.
I did save my shot of the tournament for the last swing of the day the 36th and last hole and right in front of the Grandstand.
Playing 146yrds and pin tucked on the tiniest part of the green I sent a 9 iron into around 18 inches – not sure which was the amazing part, the fact it was in so close or the fact it stayed on the green in the first place 🙂
Although my score is something I will forget quickly finishing 50th out of 56 players – the week it self I will never forget.
Looking around at the gala dinner seeing all the pros and celebrities in there, receiving another pay cheque, being asked by a little girl if I would sign her hat (really must work on my autograph) it was just a fantastic week and one you get the buzz to work harder so you can have more days like these.
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