First Tee at Pebble Beach

First Tee at Pebble Beach

 

I won’t get into the First Tee event.  I shot 69 in the Monday qualifier, but there was a 67 and two 68’s ahead of me.  Two spots and 50 players.  I played reasonably well, especially on the greens, but just didn’t play well enough to get in.  I am an alternate, but there haven’t been many withdrawals, so that won’t get me in the event.

 

The qualifier was at Tehama, which is Clint Eastwood’s course in the hills of Monterey, CA and it still ranks as the strangest course I’ve ever played.  For instance the 9th hole is a 408 yard par 5, STRAIGHT up this mountain.  The course is in great condition, but still feels like playing the fantasy holes out of a painting.

 

I’m fifth alternate to get into both Baltimore and Hickory, NC later in September.  Both of those positions have an outside chance of getting in.  I doubt that I would play in the Monday qualifiers, but I’ll just have to see how I feel about it at that time.

 

I had an fun conversation with Des Smyth, who an assistant captain of the European Ryder Cup team.  Des is Irish and the Ryder Cup is in Ireland.  Said his goal in life is to give Tiger Woods a lesson.  I asked if he would get that chance?  He hopes to, and feels that is the ONLY way the Europeans would ever win a point from Tiger.  Sounded like a line out of Caddyshack.  I asked what the assistant captain did, and he thought he would be the “head gopher”.  Felt he was well suited for the job.

 

Thanks again for all the support, will just keep at it.

Idaho Statesman Column

http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/NEWS0305/608170344/1046/NEWS03

The PGA, Nationwide and Champions tours are all very dynamic tours. And the tours are always attempting to put the players who are playing the best in their events.

So on every tour they reorder the exempt players based on their recent play. On the Champions Tour, they only do it once a year, this year on Aug. 8. The reshuffle puts pressure on every level of player to play well and improve his status, or someone else will take his place. It's survival of the fittest at its finest. That is why the names at the top don't change, but those underneath are constantly churning.

The reorder on the Champions Tour came after the Minneapolis tournament. In essence the 15 players who won spots in the fall Qualifying School continue to compete against each other over the year, and we were reordered on Monday for the rest of the year based on money won.

Obviously, I didn't come out very well in that process, so I've gone from fourth and in every event, to 14th and an alternate. Not a very promising prospect.

I talked to a number of officials this week and they think I may get into two of the last seven events. My only other option is to Monday-qualify.

I will play in the Monday qualifier for the Pebble Beach event later this month, but I am not going to play in a lot of those qualifiers. There's a lot of expense and only two spots.

I am playing in the Boeing Greater Seattle Classic this week on a sponsor's exemption, but I have very little chance of any further exemptions. I have some visibility in the Northwest, but not in other parts of the country.

Next year will be a challenge, too. The Qualifying School has been changed.

The Champions Tour will not offer any full exemptions — as it has done in the past — but there will be nine spots available every Monday and the Q-School will determine 40 players who will play for those spots.

If you have not qualified, then there will be a pre-qualifier on Saturday to advance to the Monday event.

I'm not sure what to make of the new rules. I will cross that bridge when I reach it.

In the meantime, I'm going to play great in Seattle, and keep trying to improve.

 

My wife riding the mechanical bull

YOU GO GIRL!

Seattle

I've gotten a sponsor's exemption to play in the Greater Seattle Boeing Classic at the TPC @ Snoqualamie Ridge.  It is a beautiful course just east of Bellevue, at the edge of the Cascade Mountains.  I'm flattered that the sponsor's would give me this expemption, and looking forward to doing some good in the event.  If you are going to be in the NW, come out and watch!

Minneapolis/Reorder/Tamarack

After 45 holes of very mediocre play in Minneapolis, I shot 31 the back nine, 69 for the day.  Funny how you just never know when it is going to turn around.  I played with Dave Stockton on Saturday and after we finished, he gave me one small idea with my putting and Sunday I finally made some putts.

 

It was a great week, my Dad was able to come watch and Jeff caddied for me.  And I seem to have a lot of golf friends in the Twin Cities.

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Not all of you are aware but there is a reorder of the Qualifying School spots after the Minneapolis tournament.  In essence the 15 players that got spots in the fall, continue to compete against each other over the year and we were reordered on Monday for the rest of the year based on money won.  Obviously, I didn’t come out very well in that process, so I’ve gone from 4th and in every event, to 14th.  In talking yesterday to a number of officials, it looks like I will get into Seattle (I’m right on the bubble there right now) and maybe Hickory, NC.  My only other option is to Monday qualify.  I will play in the Monday for Seattle if I have to and Pebble Beach later in the month, but am not going to play in a lot of those qualifiers.  I will post on my journal, who and how the other qualifiers fared.

 

On a more positive note, Tamarack has extended the 2 for 1 offer for the rest of the year.  Call, mention that you are on my list, book a tee time on any day of the week (after 1pm unless they have space otherwise) and two play for the price of one.  The course is in nice shape, and the Idaho mountains are beautiful this time of year.  I appreciate all of the feedback in regard to the course, Tom Altmann and his crew are continually striving to improve the experience.

 

And thanks again for all the positive support, I really appreciate it.

Minneapolis

Jeff, (who is caddying for me this week instead of Ryan) and I are in Minneapolis.  I really enjoy the course, and especially the people of this area.  I've made a number of friends here over the years, so am real comfortable in the area.

My game is getting better and better and my best finish on this tour was here in 2003, so I feel good about the course.  My dad is coming in on Thursday to watch and I hope to get him to a Twins game.  He played baseball with Harmon Killebrew and has always been a Twins fan, so that will be fun.    

Thanks to all who have played Tamarack and I appreciate your comments.  With the warm weather the course is improving every day.  They have extended the "Masingill 2 for 1 Special" through the end of the year.  Call 877.TAM RESORT, mention my name, book at time ANY day of the week after 1pm (many times they will work you in earlier), and go play. 

I will talk to you later in the week.