Greetings from London, KY

Just got in to London! Wow, it's a small town!

Elevation: 1200ft

Population: 7,962

66 miles south of Lexington, KY home of the great John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats! :)

City of Hammond: Round 3

I got to the course, all warmed up, 10 min to go before my tee time and the horn blew. God forbid we go through a tournament without rain or wind! Well, we got both today! The rain came, just in time to watch Germany v. England in the clubhouse. England played horrible but Germany got it done!

We had a three hour delay, and it poured like no tomorrow! There was a water fall coming off #10's green! We were all a little skeptical on how this course would drain. Sadly, we know how many courses drain! This one was good though. Thank goodness because we wouldn't have been able to play lift-clean-and-place because players had already gotten through some holes. Well we got through about three holes, and the WIND KICKED UP! Holy cow was it windy! I was playing alright in it. We got to #18 and it was playing dead into the wind. Just to give you an idea of the wind, it always blows, we're in Chicago for cryin' out loud, but this hole, played down wind yesterday and I hit driver-gap wedge, and today I hit driver-5wood. Quite the difference! Anyway, things were going well until my fourteenth hole where I hit my layup shot on this par-5 slightly right, and I'm pretty positive the volunteer that was over there picked up the ball. I saw the guy over there react to something, and I almost yelled fore, but he looked like he saw it coming. I got over there and a caddy had us looking in a different place. I asked the volunteer if he saw a ball come in and he said no. Well five minutes go by and nothing so I had to go hit again, and I hit it very similar, straighter this time and the distance it went was right next to that volunteer, no where near the patch of native everyone was looking. I made my double and went onto the next tee. Hate to say that a volunteer might have picked it up but I looked all around where I thought it landed and it was no where to be found. I didn't hit it that far off line either. Anyway, stuff like that happens, so just kept playing. After some mistakes on the next two holes, and a dead into the wind #18, I was ready for bed.

It was a good first two days, and a hard last day. I hit the ball well today but just couldn't get anything to drop. I had a lot of chances and was really mentally strong, but sometimes things just don't go your way.

Headed to Cincinnati, OH tomorrow to stay with some friends and then onto London, KY for my fifth tournament in five weeks. Ready for a break, but still have some work to do! Glad to be goin to the south. No place like it!

City of Hammond Classic: Round 2

Teed off in the afternoon. Loved being able to sleep in and watch some World Cup! Played with one of my friends Laura. Started a little shaky. Had a bad three-putt right out of the gates and missed some birdies, but it was a little breezy and I was playing steady. There were tons of birdies out there so I stayed patient. My game-plan for the week was to attack the pins, not be so aggressive off the tee. So I hit 5wood around that course and played pretty well. I got to my seventh hole, #16, and had a great second shot (par-5) and was left with about seven yards to the green. I hit a great chip, even knew I was gonna make it just because it set up so well, and chipped in for eagle. Kept it steady until the back, missing some birdies but staying patient, and made another birdie on my thirteenth hole, #4. Overall it was a decent day, it could have been a lot better though. Some of my putts were burning edges but to have them close to the hole was at least positive.

I didn't even practice after my round, of course it was like 8pm, but I hustled home to watch the US game. What a waste though. I was so excited, I thought we were at least gonna give it a fight, and we did, but wow how many chances came and went. It was the longest two hours of my life. So bummed, but I gotta do some work tomorrow!! Can't wait to get after it. Tee it at 9:35pm off #10.

City of Hammond Classic: Round 1

I teed off this morning at 8:30a with my good friend Emma and new friend Hannah. We had an awesome group chatting all day and joking. I got off to a rough start, missing two birdies on the first two holes then having to chip from the right side of the fairway to the left for a shot to the green. Ha, yeah weird right? It was windy today and slightly deceiving. Some poor club selections led to some bogeys and nothing fell on the front.

Made the turn and played smart golf. Left driver in the bag almost the entire back nine, hit it on two holes. I played the wind in my favor and made some putts. The back nine here at Lost Marsh, is played around a huge lake. The front doesn't surround it quite like the back does so it's all about placement. Missed some birdies on the back, but had some awesome up and downs. Very pleased with that.

Got done and hit some putts. At that point it was 2:30p so I decided to leave. Headed to the gym after watching the Brasil v. Portugal game and hung out by my lonesome all night. Our hosts Rich and Lucy were cart drivers for the tournament and they rode 36 holes so I'm sure they were beat when they got home at 9pm!

I peg it tomorrow at 2:20 with my friend Laura. Always fun playing with her! Hope those nasty Illinois storms stay away!!

Busy Week!

Lots of traveling this week! We left Decatur, IL on Monday and drove up to Hammond, IN to drop off a car. Then my friend Jasi and I drove onto Angola, IN for a pro-am. We got there around 4pm and played five holes. It was an awesome golf course, so solid. Greens were amazing and fairways were flawless. We got all dolled up and went to the pairing party at the course. It was a blast! Needless to say there were some adult beverages consumed and dancing. Ha. It was so much fun. I met my group for the next day and felt like we were gonna have a great day. The next morning we started at 10a. We got off to a slow start but I had a great group so they were a lot of fun to play with! We finally got some birdies and got something going. Not enough tho! We missed some fair putts that could have easily gone our way. Came in at -5 but -16 won! We had a fantastic time in Angola, but headed back to Hammond after the round.

We went straight to our pro-am party for the FUTURES event then home to head to bed! The Angola pro-am was fun, but we were TIRED. Our practice round on Wednesday was at 7am. We played 4 holes, were called in then went home. There were some really thunder and lightning. Driving home, the highway was flooded and could barely see out the windshield, so we were happy to get home okay.

Practice round went well today. Our host family took us out for some Chicago-style deep dish pizza and it was awesome. Big fan. Of course I have had it before, but it's just better up here :).

Other than that, just been getting ready for the week and recording/watching a lot of World Cup futbol. It has been awesome. One of the best, if not the best, sporting events in the world. The passion and drive from the athletes is awesome. The US game was incredible. Just watching the Italy v. Slovakia game and it's pretty intense as well! Can't wait for the US game on Saturday to see if they can keep this run going. What they are doing is HUGE for US soccer so I'm very excited about it!

Anyway, I peg it tomorrow at 8:30a with my friends Hannah Yun from Florida, and Emma Calderone from Canada. Pumped to have a great group and excited to start and make some birdies!

Greetings from Chicago, IL

Well, close...Hammond, IN. Really close to Gary, IN.

Here are some stats on Hammond.

Elevation: 600ft

Population: 76,732

The total rate of violent crime is 1.9 X the national average (2008).

Median home price is $119,000

**Info found on WolframAlpha.com**

Happy Father's Day!

Here is my Father's Day shout-out on the Duramed website found here.

[Dad and me at Fox Hill after I won the 5A State Championship]

Dad, sorry I can't be with you on Father's Day. It's kind of your fault though. I am addicted to this game because of you. It very well could be the best gift of all because of all the lessons golf has taught me. I have learned: to be patient; the importance of a cool head; how to be a fiery competitor; and how to always stay positive despite how adverse the conditions may be. You taught me how to be tough no matter what, and your faith in me has propelled me to heights I couldn't dream of. I would not be here had you not lured me to the back nine with Snickers bars, and I'm sure you owe me thousands of dollars for all those times we had putting contests for $1,000 a hole! Thanks, Dad, for your unconditional support and love.

The Life of a Pro

I just read a fantastic article about professional golf. Take time to read it. It's worth it.

Tough Road to Being a Pro

Tate & Lyle Players Championship: Round 2

Today I teed off at 9:40am off #10 with the same group. My front nine was decent. Two birdies coupled with two bogeys. One a three-putt-bogey where I missed a short one. My birdies were solid. I made the exact same putt I had on #11 yesterday. Yesterday the hole was where my ball was today and yesterday my ball was the hole today! I knew the read just had to hit it with the right speed. Awesome. Dominated the hole I tripled yesterday. Love getting that revenge on a hole. Ha. Overall, a solid front. On the turn, my caddy disappeared and I had to run and find her! I got back to the tee- which had a little gallery and hit is sooo far right into the trees. I wasn't worried though, I am a certified escape artist! :) We got up to the ball, and it was a good lie just had to take it under this first tree and over the second. Had a pitching wedge in my hand and about 125 yards to the pin. Easy right? Haha. Well, the ball hit at the front of the green and rolled up to 2-feet. I think that made my caddy feel better!

Played my back nine very well until #4, 5, 6. Went bogey-bogey-bogey. Missed a short birdie, 6' that broke a foot left on the edge, one more rotation and it was in.

Overall, things were good again. Followed an okay round yesterday with a little better round today. If my mistakes are minimized, those birdies shine through and it turns into a pretty good day. I am frustrated to miss the cut, which was at +1, but I am improving every week. Can't ask for more than that?!

On another note, there was a heat index of 103* today! It was so hot. Pretty sure I lost some weight sweating! Glad my caddy made it too, she was a champion! It was fantastic to have her on the bag [also my host mom for the week].

These next two days I will be putting in a lot of time chipping and putting. My chipping needs work and they have some great greens here to get in some good time. I will also be spending ample amounts of time in the gym. I see it as punishment for missing the cut, however it just gets me in better shape! :) Hoping to prepare better than anyone for the next week.

Tate & Lyle Players Championship: Round 1

First of all, I teed off at 3:10pm. One might wonder what the heck we do until then. Well, thanks to eastern standard time, I woke up at 7a. Just in time to watch all of the World Cup games! This was exciting for me, as my boyfriend is obsessed and I love talking some footy with him. I picked Argentina or Brazil to win it all, he has England or Spain. Judging by the games, looks like my picks might hold till the elimination round! :)

I ate breakfast then went to run some errands. Expensive run to fed-ex to 2-day some entries then onto the gym. Got to watch the third game at the gym. Went home, had some lunch, packed up dinner for the round and went out to the course!

My first 12 holes I can't complain. I was -2 and feeling so good. I chipped in on my third hole after missing the green, the only green I missed on my front nine, and made a 30-footer on #11 after a poor chip on the par-5. I made an awesome par on #12, stepped up to #13 with honors and made a bad swing. It led me under a tree with a tricky shot, I really had nothing under there but chipped it with my hybrid and it went just to the edge of the tree. Tough walking off the green with a triple, but stuff like that happens. It doesn't bother me because I know I can get back in it with some birdies. The next hole, the par-5, I left my birdie putt on the edge. Tough one, it was goin' in. Next hole short, down-wind, par-4, had a great drive and put myself about 20 feet below the hole. Nestled it up there nicely and tapped in. Ended up finishing bogey-bogey. Two putts that weren't tough. Had my last putt in the bag, when it horseshoed. I wanted to vomit but had tap it in.

Overall, there were some good things happening. I was sitting very comfortably at -2, attacking the golf course and not letting up. That is a big positive. My putts were coming off the face like gold. Very pleased with that. With the exception of two putts I putted solid for hardly anything going in. Ball striking was great overall, hit some awesome shots and very consistent despite a temperamental driver.

Onto the next day...

H20

Well yesterday it rained for an hour. And today, the course looks like this!!

This is supposed to be #1 and #9 cart path. We might need a boat to get across. So far the tee times have already been pushed back 90 min. This puts me teeing off at 3:10pm. My host mom/caddy will pack dinner, don't worry!

Greetings From Decatur!

Last week just flew by! The tournament didn't go as I would have liked but there are lessons in those tournaments. I didn't hit the ball very well on Friday. I was all over the map, getting up and down from the craziest spots. I hit it right on a par-4 into a hazard, dropped in the 2nd cut and put my 4-iron to 6' for par. Another hole, I hit it right into the trees, punched out to 100 yards and hit it 5' to get up and down. After that shot, a rather excited volunteer said, "Wow what a shot! Thanks for being here! You're awesome!". A little boost to the confidence never hurt, right?! Didn't score like I felt I should have but overall, kept my numbers low (nothing above a bogey all week -- opposed to last week when I had doubles and triples!) and three putts to none. I was happy with that, just didn't roll in any birdies.

On Saturday, I teed off early, 7:50am, and we had 100% chance of rain. Sure enough on our 1st green it started POURING! We played five and a half holes in a downpour, getting absolutely soaked! I don't know what it is with this tour and where we go, but we have had some awful weather the last couple events. Lucky for anyone who didn't tee off before 9:30am, they didn't have to have this wonderful experience. My dad says that I am a mudder, I tend to play well when everyone is complaining about the weather. I don't really know why people complain, because when they do, half the field is beat already. I know girls were struggling in that rain but I wasn't! Personally, I was not objected to it pouring all day long. I was even par in the rain when the two girls in my group alone, were making some big numbers. My host dad even ventured out on his bike to come watch-- it was impressive.

After a four hour delay full of me returning home to dry my clothing and catch some World Cup, we started back out to finish the round. I played steady, but not making some close ones for birdie at the end. Didn't get great reads on the greens but overall my pace was SOO much better than last week. Finished again, without big numbers or three putts.

Missing the cut was frustrating but it just means I have to work harder. I know I am so close, and it's coming together. The aspect that I am most happy about is that my game is becoming more consistent, opposed to one thing being good one day and another the next. Someone once told me that's when you become good, when your high scores get lower and your lower scores take it deep. Both are essential elements to playing at this level.

I had so much fun off the golf course in Ohio as well! My friend Jasi's parents were in town and I got to meet them finally! It's always fun meeting the parents of a great person because you see how they became that great person! Her family had me over for some home cooked Indian food, which was FANTASTIC! I think they were all really surprised how much I liked it. My momma raised me right I guess. I'll usually try anything-- unless it has fire in the title.

I absolutely loved having the kids around. They were so much fun. The little boy was so excited [his parents said-- he acted pretty shy around me I think!] for me to stay. I went to a cookout with the family which was really fun. I love meeting other people. I don't know how all of a sudden, I became so outgoing, but I love it. I played some golf with my host fam last night and had to say bye to them today. :( It's sad to leave because they really do feel like family while you're there. The in between period sometimes can be nerve wracking to see if the next one will be as fun. Luckily, she is awesome. I don't know how I am getting so lucky! I love it!


We are in Decatur, IL this week for the Tate & Lyle Championship, our only major on the FUTURES Tour. Tournament is Thursday-Sunday. Look for live scoring here.

Heading East

Man, it was a loooong two days in the car from Colorado. I covered 1,280 miles in 20ish hours. Stopped in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to stay with Bob, Terri, and Kimmy, my friend Jasi's host family! It was amazing to meet them and have them open up their home for a night.

Jasi and I took off for Mason on Monday. The drive was incredibly boring [my drive on Sunday through Nebraska was worse though, haha] and we really struggled getting to Mason without a stop for a nap. We made our lunch stop extra long for a break!

I met my family for this week and they are awesome! I have been incredibly lucky - and I say lucky because some girls have very bad experiences with host families - this year. They have two cute kids, ages 5 and 2. I have played some games of Memory and Guess Who. It has been really fun, and I have realized my Memory skills have definitely deteriorated over the years. I'm not happy about this! Maybe this week will help keep them sharper.

I have already played two days of practice rounds, 36 holes, and will most likely just practice tomorrow. The course is nothing really special. It's very straight forward. Some tee shots have to be placed in one exact spot. The greens aren't too fast, but they are rolling nicely. I'm hitting my irons well just like I did last week so I expect that will lead to a lot of birdies!

So far, my week has been awesome. I've found your week will be what you make it. I am just trying to live everyday like my dreams are coming true and basically that is what everyday is to me.

Tomorrow I am just practicing. Going to work on getting better feel on the greens, maybe some putting games, then work on my driving accuracy a little bit. Possibly go out for some holes on the back nine.

I off to bed now, gotta get used to waking up early! I am teeing it at 7:30a off #10 on Friday. You can follow here and the live scoring link is in the top right corner of the home page.

Mason, Ohio

Population: 29,682

Elevation: 810 feet

-18 miles Northeast of Cincinnati

-Notables from Cincinnati: Steven Spielberg, William Howard Taft, Charles Manson, Pete Rose, Roy Rogers

[Thanks to Bryce for his blog about wolframalpha.com -- it makes these posts so much easier!!]

Colorado Women's Open: Round 3

I don't know if anyone saw the live scoring yesterday, but needless to say I started out HOT. -3 through 5 holes. I could have realistically been -5 through 5, but lipped two putts. After that, the fun began. I hit the pin on my chip on my 6th hole and it went off the green. A couple bad breaks later I am standing on the 18th tee at +2. That corner of holes, 15, 16, 17, and 18 can be brutal if you don't put it in the exact right spot. For some reason this year, I had a lot of trouble with them. In the past two years, I have played them very well. I even got a free beer last year for being -2 through them.

Anyway, my putting pace didn't feel right again like I had mentioned during my first round too. Made some good shots on my back-nine, the real front nine, and ended well. Had some short putts on #7 and #9 to get back to +2, but they slid by.

Overall, I was pretty disappointing in my putting. The first day I had 34 putts, then 31, then 29. The day I had 31 putts was the day I felt most confident over the ball on the green. Yesterday was a little bi-polar glimpse like the first day was. I have to get used to other greens next week so I am not worried about how it will be next week. Just gotta spend some extra time on the green, more than usual, and really feel the putts.

I was really happy with my ball striking this week. Especially my long game. I was hitting my long irons and woods very well. Yesterday my wedges were right on and if I had gotten at least two more putts to fall, it would have been a better day. 

But in hindsight, I got paid this week putting extremely mediocre. That is always a positive, but I could have been lot higher on that leaderboard if my putter stayed hot.

Sunday I am headed to Cincinnati, Ohio! I am so excited to get back on the road with the FUTURES Tour. I miss all my buddies out there and the staff. Can't wait to get there and get settled.

After Ohio, I am heading to Decatur, Illinois. Three days ago, I was the third alternate for that tournament, it's a big tournament on the DFT, and yesterday I looked and I got in! That was probably the only tournament I would have a hard time getting into and I'm stoked I got into it. Never fun to have an off week when you don't want it!

I'll be checking back in in a couple days or so. Now, I have an exciting drive through Nebraska and Iowa to look forward to...NOT. Just kidding. Always excited for a new adventure!

Colorado Women's Open: Round 2

I felt so good all day. Had a nice, late tee time, love those. Eli caddied today so it was awesome to have him on the bag because he knows the quirks of Green Valley Ranch. We started off good, trying to get some pace and confidence built up on those greens. Made some clutch pars on #4 and #5. Nice little birdie on #7. Made the turn in -1. Always a good score out there.

Kept it steady until #14 when an errant drive forced a punch out and a tricky putt led to bogey. No big deal. Had a great 60' 2-putt on #15. 16, 17 and 18 didn't treat me too well. Wind was really kicking up on #16 and had a tough approach. Unfortunately, I didn't get up and down, but stayed positive. We got to the tee on #17 and the wind was slightly with us but not too much. I swung my 170 club and it should have been perfect but it hit the back of the green on the down slope and kicked into the hazard. Whatever. Stuff happens. Walked away with triple. Finished out with a solid par on #18 an walked off with a 76. It's funny how you can play 14 solid holes, then shoot more than the day before when I was scrambling all over the golf course.

I still hit it well but need to pick out better aiming spots tomorrow. Putting was so much better today. Really happy that it improved. Sometimes it's all mental or just lack of repetition. Thank god for practice!

Eli really helped on the bag. Really got me thinking through every variable. Sometimes one is left out and leads to a missed green or poorly placed but I felt like we did a really good job of that today. I did what I had to do in those first 14 holes, -1, and that was a huge confidence booster.

Really looking forward to tomorrow and having this all come together. :)

Colorado Women's Open: Round 1

Man, what a day! I started out pretty good, was even until #14, my 5th hole. #14 and 15 were both 3 putt bogeys, something I hardly ever do. I birdied #16, nice little 15-footer rolled right in the heart of the cup. #17 and #18 were both 3-putt-bogeys. At this point, I'm ready to throw my putter in the marsh, but I would never, but I usually putt well and today was a unfortunate exception.

Thank god, I made the turn because things took a turn for the better. I birdied #1 and #3 with a chip-in and a really short putt. Kept it steady until my 17th hole, #8. Made a bad swing and short-sided myself. Had a great chip but unfortunately had too many putts.

Overall though, I feel good about it, I mean a couple missed putts but hit the ball very well. Ended up with a +3, 75. I worked on my pace for awhile after the round and made sure I made a bunch of little putts before I left. Feel really good about tomorrow. My swing is right where it needs to be. Plus, my coach Eli is caddying tomorrow!!