Celebrating the mindless pursuit of excellence in golf when you're too old to hit it anywhere.
09/08/2022
Haven't posted here for a while ... but the new season starts Friday and I can't wait to put some better number on the scratch board.
These are the results from this year. Scratch was ok ... a top 20 finish, but I'd like to get top 12 this year.
Nett was great .... ran 3rd overall, but the guy that ran second won the scratch and can't pick up 2 prizes ... so I collect the second prize! YEAH!
17/11/2020
Just about says it all.
T'was a good week this week ...
77 (+6) around Virginia was good enough for 40 points (Virginia's par is 71 but their ACR is 73 - so 2 extra shots for everyone on their handicap). Brad Dowling won with a 73, and I ran 6th. Played with 3 guys who's combined h'cap was 2 ... and was able to hold my own in the televised group. Won the nett by 2 shots, and handicap down to 7.3.
Then, later that day I got a call from NSWGA to let me know they had a spot for me in the NSW Seniors next week - and obviously, I jumped at it. I was 30th in line for a spot after the handicap cutoff .. but through withdrawals I now have a start.
Can't wait ... I've never played at Duntryleague at Orange, so it should be interesting ... looks rather tight on google maps.
Update ...
So far this year has been a disappointment.
I know 2020 is all about staying healthy and avoiding Covid19, but I've been looking forward to this year for a while. The Pandemic, followed by the shoulder rotator cuff injury, has been very frustrating. I've been playing more golf, but it's been awful. I was mentally shot. In 4 events on the QSOOM tour, I hadn't had a top 10 result.
Then a couple of Saturdays ago, I felt like I found something. Just a minor detail, but I started to hit much better, straighter shots. A little bit of timing had come back with this simple change too, so I was looking forward to playing again.
Nine days later and I hadn't even picked up a club. A wedding for one of my boys was the top priority.
Yesterday, the whole year turned around on a dime.
The QSOOM event at Keperra Golf Club was on. I turned up early and warmed up, remembering the swing change/thought.
Ok ... lets cut to the chase. I fu***ng WON. Shot +1 after being +3 after 5 holes. Handicap had blown out to 9, so it was 44 points! Won the nett by 6 and the scratch by 4.
Hit the driver great. Hit 11 Greens. Putted my arse off (I have no arse left).
Been a long time since I won anything on the golf course.
Yeah.
Just an update on all things golf ...
Played the QLD Seniors at Mt Coolum. Par 72 .. shot 86/81/87. Pretty disappointing, but I finished 52 out of 72 guys .. right about where my handicap suggested I'd finish. Still a lot to work on, but I dont really have the time to do and hit the practice balls that some of the guys do .. Had a great week though with my wife and dog taking a weeks holiday.
Played Monday at Gailes in the first QSOOM of the year for me. (The year goes QLD Seniors to QLD Seniors) .. Had a great start and was even after 6 holes... then completely capitulated. Birdied the last to finish 14 over I think. The middle holes were horrible, and I lost my way.
My handicap is starting to balloon out. I've had a shoulder issue I'm dealing with but now my confidence is a bit rattled too. Might need to go and see my coach for a tune up.
Onward ...
So ... Finally the QSOOM season gets back underway after the Covid19 delay.... I'm fully qualified ...ready to go ... and now have an injured rotator cuff to deal with. BU**ER. Very frustrating. Had to pull out of the Hope Island event next week. Tried to play at Sanctuary Cove Palms but it was a complete disaster. Need to rest it as much as I can ...
First round in the QLD Seniors a couple of weeks ago. 83 (+11) on a rain interrupted round at Arundel wasn't too bad. T10th out of 47 players. Hit some good recovery wedges ... and birdied the last !
08/02/2020
Ok ... finished with 84 today. Was better than yesterday (couldn’t have got much worse). A much better start - I was only 2 over after 4.
I’ve gone from 118th to 115th ... moving up!
Tournament is over ... and I have some things to work on. My short game is getting better but inadequate at this level. I need to hit sharper irons and I need a consistent shot I can hit 200m.
Positives ... I feel like I putted well without much luck. Probably holed 3x 15 footers all week.
No birdies. Had one lip out on the low side from 10 feet today ... may have covered my face when I let go a couple of expletives. But I only hit 3 greens today so if you don’t give yourself any chances you’re not going to make many.
Anyway ... next tourney will be in May ... so I have some work to do.
5 beers in. Was only going to have 3.
Yeah.
So ... 88 (+16) yesterday. Another 36 putts. Nervous to the point of an anxiety attack. Not much fun unfortunately. (+9) after 4 holes is no way to start a game of golf. That was puss.
It’s not a physical thing. It’s entirely a mental thing that causes the physical to black out and the entire swing collapses. It’s something I face nearly every day I go out in any kind of comp.
This could be the shortest blog, time-wise, in the history of blogs if this keeps up, but I have to be completely honest with myself, otherwise there is no point.
Which brings me to the point of you, the reader, being here too. I’m not looking for sympathy. You’re part of a close support network here. This blog isn’t for everyone I know. Just my good mates.
A couple of beers at the end makes everything ok again. Not sure why I put myself through the first bit though.
*part rant* I really hate it when you can’t hit driver at the range. No idea where it’s going on the course when you first pull it out. *end part rant*
Sitting 112th.
Yeah.
17/11/2020