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!!

Rocky Mountain High

[Sunset a block from my house]

Things at home have been good! I got back to Colorado after a long 9 hours back from Kansas City. Since then, I have been enjoying the benefits of home: own bed, home cooked meals, my favorite people, etc.! I have been practicing a ton. Yesterday I played 27 holes. I have been giving some lessons, which is so much fun. I love it.

On Sunday, I leave for Colorado Springs for the US Open Sectional at the Broadmoor East Course - Site of the 2011 US Women's Open. I have a practice round on Sunday then the tournament starts Monday. I'm really excited for this because it is a marathon 36-hole qualifier. Only the tough survive! I tee off at 7:10a and 1:10p. If you are in the area feel free to come out and watch!!

After that, I will be heading back home that night and resting up for the HealthONE Colorado Women's Open which starts on Wednesday, June 2. I am teeing off at 8:40a on Wednesday and 1:40p on Thursday. Come out and support!! It's one of two tournaments I will be in Colorado for so it's always nice to have local support!

Soggy Weekend & What Is Ahead

This weekend wasn't the most favorable. We played on Friday without any weather. I can't say that it went very well. I had a great start after 8 holes but had some trouble on holes 9-11. After that I battled back but got some bad breaks. After the round I was pretty frustrated so I identified the mistakes and worked on them a bit. That's all you can do.

On Saturday, we woke up to a mist. Warmed up in the mist and started in the mist. For two holes we had no rain but it started back up on our third. I pride myself in playing well in tough conditions because everyone just complains about the weather. It's kind of amazing to me in tournaments when people do complain. It's something we can't control and you just have to fight harder to get those birdies. We played eight holes in a steady borderline downpour until they called us off the golf course. Some girls withdrew during the rain delay. I was standing on #9 tee box and really wondering if I was going to have to tee off in casual water. There was no place to take relief on the highest thing around! The fairways were underwater as well as the bunkers.

Saturday's round was eventually cancelled and we were sent home to dry off. I didn't realize just how wet I was until I got home. My socks, shoes, rainsuit, three towels were just soaked. In that weather, you are trying to keep everything dry but sometimes you just can't. Thank goodness for FootJoy rain gloves. They work only when they are soaking wet so if a player didn't have those, I don't know how they hung on to the club!

We were scheduled to resume play on Sunday at 7:30am. I got out there and warmed up and it was supposed to rain again that day so I was prepared. No rain during the warm up but it started misting as we were getting ready to go out. Another delay. This time they came back at 7:45 and said they were going to cut after 18 holes, meaning top-70 and ties advance to the second and final round. Not me. That is always frustrating when you are playing well and so many people are going down the leader board but that's the way it goes! Every round needs to be everything you have just in case something like this happens.

I left for Colorado shortly after the news of the cut. Enjoyed a nice 9 hour drive home. In the middle of Kansas on I-70, I saw three of my good friends from home; IN THE CAR. It was so crazy and so we stopped to get gas and chat.

The traveling aspect of the tour is so much fun. I have never had such a long adventure by myself but loved every second.

For the next two weeks I will be doing some tuning up and re-focusing. It will be nice to have mom cook some meals and hang out with the family in addition to really working hard on my game. This isn't a hard game, just have to go out there and play. Working off some of the rust has helped and I am excited for my "Colorado-swing". I will be playing in the US Open Sectional Qualifier at the Broadmoor to get to Oakmont CC in Pennsylvania. That is May 31st teeing it at 7:10am and 1:10 [36 hole qualifier]. After that I will have a "day-off" probably practicing at Green Valley Ranch to get ready for the HealthONE Colorado Open, June 2-4 one of my favorite events of the year!

A Day Off

Another storm rolled in last night around the time I was going to bed. I had probably been asleep for thirty minutes and in came the winds, thunder and lightning! Not gonna lie, it was so scary. It was dead quite when I went to sleep then all of a sudden it felt like we were in the middle of a tornado. After about forty minutes of that madness it quieted down and I fell back asleep.

Unfortunately, that storm had dumped 1-2" of rain on the golf course and it has left us with an untimely day off. The course/practice facilities are closed all day today. I will probably head to the gym and get in a good stretch and stay loose. Perhaps Julie and I will see a movie or head to a nearby golf course that isn't closed. Whatever we do, it sucks to have a day off when we are ready to fine-tune for tomorrow's round. That's part of the job! And always a possibility when you play in Tornado Alley!

Just gotta roll with it...

What I am reading: Swinging From My Heels: Confessions of an LPGA Star by Christina Kim and Alan Shipnuk

The Perfect Storm

I am alive and well in Leawood, Kansas! It was quite the journey to get here though. I left Ft. Worth, TX around 10am on Monday. Good thing I left early, because I was driving through Oklahoma and the south eastern corner of Kansas where a huge super cell was coming in that night. My dad helped me with the weather while I was in the car. We originally thought it would be better if I stayed in Norman, OK with a friend over night and let the storm pass. It looked to be a bad one. Instead, I continued on not hitting any weather at all until about 30min outside my destination. As I was leaving the Tulsa area, the radio said there were tornadoes all over the place touching down. Little did I know that Norman, OK was getting a beast of a storm as well. My friend said a tornado went right down the street flipping cars. Thank goodness I didn't end up staying there! I should have picked her up and taken her with me! 

I arrived safely and the storm came in later that night. All we got were heavy rains and high winds. Nothing too bad. The course was very soggy yesterday; cart path only. 

The golf course is beautiful. Mature trees and lush, dense, US Open rough compliment every hole. The greens are rolling nicely but have a lot of sneaky breaks in them. They are very undulating with swails on every inch of them.

I played yesterday with Miriam Nagl from Germany who had been on the LPGA tour for the last 5 years. We had fun playing 9 then I played the back by myself. The back nine is quite a test. It will be key this week to keep focused, hydrated and dry to play those last holes well. 

We had another big storm come in last night around 3am. I woke up to strobe lights lighting up the room with very loud thunder. Gotta love being in Tornado Alley!! The course was even more soggy than yesterday. We aren't getting any roll out there which some girls really need. I played 18 today with my good friend Julie Wells and Sydney Cox. We played in about 4 hours staying dry, thank goodness. It has been chilly and overcast all day and hoping for storms only at night, if at all. 

Tomorrow I am practicing in the mid-morning and playing a late practice round with some girls from Florida. I won't be playing too many holes just gonna get some more practice on that back nine. 

I tee it at 1pm on Friday for the first round.

Kansas City

-Population: 2 million

-Elevation: 910ft.

-BBQ capital of the world.

-Big Irish presence in the culture.

-A scene in the movie Bruno was filmed in the historic Hotel Phillips downtown.

-Lewis & Clark surveyed the land in hopes of settling a fort by the Missouri river running between Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS. [Independence, MO was a supply town for people traveling the Oregon Trail, which is on the east side of Kansas City, MO].

My Mom in the News!

Look at my mom making it big!! The tour did a really cool thing for Mother's Day since not many of us will actually see our mother's on their big day. Here is the link to the website. It is a fabulous idea!
Don't worry dad, Father's Day is right around the corner!!

"Mom, here's to you! For driving me home through the night from golf tournaments. For learning the ins and outs of my passion. For yelling on the 18th hole at Loveland Golf Course, "Nice eagle!" even though it was a birdie. For being my biggest cheerleader and greatest motivator. For keeping me centered and balanced. For consoling me through tough rounds and sharing the joy and excitement through my greatest triumphs. Mom, it's you who has helped me get here more than anyone. You are the reason I succeed. You are a big reason why I will continue to succeed. You are priceless in every way to me and there is no one who could possibly fill your shoes. Thank you for everything. I love you so much!"

Ft. Worth , TX

I have been here during my 'off' week. We wrapped up in San Antonio and I drove up to Ft. Worth on Sunday. I have been staying with an old friend and we have had a blast together!

I have had the chance to play some awesome courses here: Shady Oaks Country Club--  home course of the legend Ben Hogan; Mira Vista Country Club-- home to the 2004 US Girls Junior Amateur Championship and Fossil Creek Golf Club-- where Tiger Woods evidentally filmed a Nike commerical trying to hit it on the green in one on a par four with a lake on the right. Members tell me he took six takes to get it on. I played Fossil Creek with comedian Carl LaBove, who is hilarious by the way. We are probably going to play there tomorrow too. There is nothing better than a great golf course with great company!

I have been catching some workouts here and there. The other day I ran some mileage down the Trinity River which is to the north of Colonial CC so I tried to sneak a peak. Looks awesome. The PGA tournament is there in two weeks.

Other than that, its been pretty relaxing. However, my golf excursions usually take all day so by that time I'm tired anyway! Ft. Worth has been a really cool place to explore and hang out. It is really laid back but still has a little Texas twang. :)

I'll be packing up here on Monday and moving on up to Kansas City where our tournament week will start on Tuesday. Tournament is Friday - Sunday. After that, its a 10 hour trek back home for some regrouping and more touranments.

Thanks for checking in!

Texas Hill Country Classic: Day 2

Today didn't start off the best. My front nine I was battling a little bit of nerves and trying to get comfortable out there. I missed some putts early and did my best to stay patient. It is really a thinkers golf course and you have to execute the right shot at the right time. If not, you could be left with a tall order for par. I finally shook whatever was buggin me on #11 and started playing some golf! I made some pars, but struggled to come back with some birdies. I had a lot of chances like I did yesterday on my back, the real front, nine but they just weren't dropping. I made some clutch up and downs coming down the stretch. Overall, I played 27 good holes. I was only +1 in those 27 holes. I am happy about that. Last week, I had only 9 good holes to really look at and say I played well. Golf is all about consistency and I find myself improving every week. It's important to keep perspective and realize this is only my second professional tournament on a new tour. Things are different but I find myself adapting quite well and overall it has been great. It's just another baby step in the right direction. Can't ask for more than that. Baby steps are usually the start to a great leap.

I have a week off then back at it in Leawood, Kansas.

{Laura Bavaird and I before our 2nd round}

Texas Hill Country Classic: Day 1

Today went pretty well! I got off to a great start with a birdie. We played through a mist the entire front 9 which was refreshing...sort of. It stopped after about 12 holes, then the sun came out and the steam room started! It was humid. My back 9 went really well. I played so solid until our 16th hole where I nuked a pitching wedge over the green into the hazard. I had to drop with the grain going away from me, about a 30 yard pitch from the back of the green. All I could see was the flagstick and I put it to 1'! I tapped it in and continued on my way. I had so many looks at birdie on the back 9 which is a way you make more birdies! I bogeyed my 17th hole; had some sand trouble but then came back strong with a birdie [tap in :)] on #18! Great way to end a really solid day.

Can't wait to get back out there tomorrow. I tee off at 12:40 off #10. This golf course is so solid.

Texas Was Cold...Today

Playing tomorrow at 8:50am off #10 with the one and only Julie Wells! What are the odds that I am playing with like one of my five friends [ha]. It was SO cold [70*] today. Randomly cold. The humidity is supposed to be back up tomorrow with highs in the 90s again. Looking forward to a great day in the office. Still getting used to some things out here but it is comforting to be on a great golf course and playing with friends. Nothing is better really!!

On a side note, the Kentucky Derby is on Saturday and I am a fan! I have always been kind of a race horse fan, but I really got hooked last year after Rachel Alexandra went on a tear with the boys [colts]. Rachel Alexandra is a stud and I now have a picture of her in my yardage book. (We share the same first and middle name if you didn't catch that... ;-) )

Texas Hill Country Classic: San Antonio, TX

So far, my impression of San Antonio has been verrry positive! I am staying with a great host family with a friend Jasi Archarya. We are only about three minutes away from the course. We are playing this week at The Dominion Country Club just west of San Antonio. It was home to a Senior PGA event for a number of years. The course is in amazing shape. The front nine reminds me of Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis where I played in the US Amateur. Very old, mature trees, fast greens, well-placed bunkers and very green! The greens today were running at a 12. If you were above the hole, down grain, forget about getting it anywhere close. You had to barely touch it and it would take off rollin'! The area we are in is pretty hilly [shocking for TX, I know]. I went for a run this morning around the neighborhood and my quads burned the rest of the day becuase all I was running up and down were hills! Registration was today so I practiced in the morning then headed out for 18 with Jasi in the afternoon. There was very little wind and the temperature was fantastic. There was very little humidity becuase my yardage that I play in CO was the same down here. That rarely happens.

Tonight we had the 'Meet the Pro' party at the golf course. It was formal so we had to get all dressed up which isn't what you want to do after spending all day on the course but it was a lot of fun to try and guess people's names in formal attire. We usually only see each other in golf clothes. So it made for a fun evening. They put on a great party here in TX. We had live music, a dance floor, great food. It was a lot of fun.

Tomorrow will be the same kind of day. Going to workout in the morning, then head out to the course about 10:30 after the pro-am tees off. Practice all day then get in 9 tomorrow evening with Julie. I am ecstatic to be here this week and really looking forward to playing.

Aint nothin' like a little competition!

San Antonio, Texas

-Population: 1.3 million

-Elevation: 650ft.

-2nd largest city in Texas and 7th in the US

-Named for the Portuguese St. Anthony

-Home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Brooks-City Base, with Camp Bullis [I am staying just west of it] and Camp Stanley outside the city.

-Home to Lara Flynn Boyle, Carol Burnett, TOMMY LEE JONES [I love him], Eva Longoria, David Robinson [who is a member at the course we are playing this week] as well as other Spurs players. Manu Ginobili and Greg Popovich live in the neighborhood as well as George Strait.

Featured In Golfweek's Fashion Blog

Here is the link to a story about Sandbaggers featured in Golfweek's fashion blog by Ashleigh Korzack.

Pretty cool!!

Galloping Armadillos?! Yeah....Galloping Armadillos

Besides missing the cut this week in Brownsville, my week has been pretty eventful. I met a lot of new people, learned a thing or two about my golf game and travel abilities. I drove down from Ft. Worth on Monday and met my house mom for the week, Kathy. She is an avid tennis player and was heading out for a match with her friend when I got there. I hung out and watched some tv and got settled then headed to bed.

Tuesday, I woke up and headed to registration. I registered early then out for some practice. We usually have a 'player area' where we register, have water, and there is even a chiropractor that you can see during the week. They have fruit and internet access up there so it's a common area for everyone. It's really cool that is available. I saw my friend Julie Wells from the Hawaii Big Break and we headed out to play 9. The course is really straight forward like I had said before. Well today, I made up a new name for the crispy, dried out greens/surrounding fringe -- Texas Toast. Ha. I thought it was brilliant. Anyway, later that night we had the 'Meet the Pro' party at a local restaurant. All the players are invited and there is usually food and drinks and some sort of entertainment. On Wednesday we had a shotgun practice round in the AM. I played with two girls that played for Florida Southern where the Hodgkinson sisters attend! So they knew them and that was fun! I practiced in the afternoon for a little while then got dinner and went home.

It was so warm this week. Very humid and steamy but we are in a desert, very arid climate. Doesn't make much sense to me, but that's okay. Brownsville seems like a nice city. I am a fan.

Thursday, I practiced in the morning then played 9 holes with Sydney Cox, a Oklahoma City University grad and NAIA National Champion! We had played together my 2nd round at Qschool in November so it was fun to get to know her a little better. It was a bit more windy out so it was nice to see the course when the winds from the south east kick up. Their wind patterns are pretty reliable. They come from Mexico.

The day of the first round was pretty relaxed. I had a 1:30pm tee time so I set my alarm for 8am. I had no trouble waking up then so I read the paper and did some things around the house for awhile. Before I play, I try to get a good warm up workout in. I do some stretching and a little cardio. Just to get the blood moving. I feel better when I get to the course and warming up on the driving range doesn't take as long. I played with Kim Augusta and Angela Oh. I played decent on my first 9, coming in at even par. My back nine got a little ridiculous. I had some trouble with yardages. Seemed like I never had the right club in my hand on my approach. The greens are very small so if you missed the green sometimes you had a tricky chip. Overall, mentally I was great despite the numbers. Kathy took me to Carino's for dinner the night before so after a long day on the course [I got home at 7pm] it was nice to just reheat my leftovers!

The second day round came quickly. I teed off at 8am, first group off #1. I played with Kirby Dreher and Carolina Llano. They were friendly but we were all business on the course. We had a crazy lady for a cart driver. She tried driving away as we got things out of our coolers and such. On #11 she tried to run me over. Ha. She had me a bit worried that she could really operate a moving vehicle. It's things like this that I think about between shots that make me laugh. Haha. On #4, I was lining up my putt and all of a sudden I hear Peggy say, "watch out! Here he comes!" Having no idea what in the world she was talking about, I looked up to see a galloping armadillo. Yes. Galloping. His shell was hitting the green with every step and it sounded like a faint horse's gallop. It was hysterical. Scared the @#$* out of me but we all had a good laugh then got back to business. Besides that the final round was VERY uneventful. I turned at +3, knowing I had to get something going on the back. Turns out, it backfired, which sometimes happen, but it can also go the other way and you can make a lot of birdies. Just accepting it wasn't my week and moving on is the key. On #18, I hit it left on my approach behind the stands. I got to take relief, immovable obstruction [YES!]. I took relief on the right side of the bleachers so that a palm tree was in the line of my shot to the pin. I had about 20yards [yeah, great shot Rach haha] but it was pin high. No big deal. I had to flop it over the tree, from a downhill lie in front of some fans. Well I kept the same attitude I did all of the back nine, go for it. The shot came off perfectly, bounced twice and rolled out to about 12feet. I putted last, and rolled it right in. I was rather proud that my day ended with SOMETHING positive. It was nice to end with some applause.

Kathy took me to South Padre Island [aka SPRING-BREAK-WOO!-destination] and we had some fried oysters at Pier 19. It was right on the bay so we could watch the boats and the fisherman. South Padre is essentially a sand bar so there were guys fishing 100 yards from shore in not even waist high water. Kinda weird. The island is very narrow. It only had two streets north to south but it is very long. We headed home at the perfect time. We had front row tickets to a beautiful sunset over the bay.

If you miss the cut, you have the choice of heading to our next destination or staying and practicing. I opted for staying becuase my host family isn't expecting me until tomorrow. So I played on the range a bit trying different shots, trying to simulate competition. Moved on to some short game which I spent a great deal of time on and some putting. Not much putting though becuase I heard next week's greens are awesome and there is no sense getting used to crappy ones!

I will head to San Antonio tomorrow staying with a different family and a girl that is also on the tour. I am excited to stay with her.

I am excited for a new week. Knocking off that rust baby.

Historic Brownsville Open

Key this week: The Big Picture

Coming off a disappointing finish in Brownsville, it is easy to focus on the negatives. I didn't chip well, and putts didn't fall but instead, focusing on the positives makes me feel better. Knowing this is my first professional tournament and that there are so many different dynamics that I have never dealt with and the beginning of a new career eases my frustration a bit. It's like any first week on the job. You are a little tentative. There are new people, new protocol. Also keeping a grinders mentality. No matter what you have done during they day to keep grinding for pars and birdies is the goal. Sometimes it works in your favor and sometimes it doesn't. Attitude is huge. When you are on the cut line and you gotta put a good round together you have to know when to play aggressively and when to play a little smarter. That got me into some trouble today but out here, you have to make something happen to make some money! Many different aspects play into a week on the Duramed Futures Tour and I think a lot of girls in college have no idea what to expect. At least I didn't. Just another mile marker on this journey called life.

After the second round, I sat in the scorers tent tallying up and recalled a story I heard from Vision54. Annika Sorenstam was playing in a PGA Tour event at Colonial CC and she was walking to the 1st tee and told her sports psychologist that she was so nervous she couldn't even speak. Her SP turned to her and said think of yourself floating in space like a satellite. Look at Earth. It makes this moment feel very small. And it did. That helped her stripe it down the middle.

Perspective is everything.

When I thought I couldn't go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck. -Estee Lauder

I move onward, the only direction. Can't be scared to fail, searchin' for perfection... I'm onto the next one, onto the next one. -Jay Z

Love This

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world that to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

So Far...

So far the week has been really good. We have already had two practice round days. I practiced in the morning yesterday then played 9 holes with my buddy Julie Wells. We had our meet the pro party last night at a local restaurant and I met some other players there. Trouble was, the band was playing so loud we couldn't hear each other speak so we were pretty much just playing charades.

Today was our shotgun practice round. We were off the golf course by noon which is always nice to get it an early morning. This afternoon looks to be a pretty relaxing one, probably squeeze in a workout and a nap and have dinner with my mom for the week.

The course is very straight forward. There aren't a whole lot of memorable holes out there. Greens are a little bumpy but that just means you really have to commit to your line. The weather is awesome, high-70s with some wind. Thursday it is supposed to get warmer then on Friday we hit 90.

I tee off of #1 at 1:30pm on Friday.

ROADTRIP

I just finished the mother of all roadtrips. Well, sort of. I have a feeling after this summer I might say that about all of the long extended trips. Anyway, I made it down here in under 20 hours which is a little quick but I never got a ticket [DAD!] or even stopped for that matter. I made excellent time because I tried not to drink that much water. Ha. I have covered 1,359 miles in 2 days, gone through 3 states, one that is ridiculously HUGE.

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I am thrilled to have arrived at my host family's house for the week. I received a very warm welcome and I am sooo excited about the week. A friend sent me a video and I figured I'd share it becuase I like my readers and want them to come back! It is inspirational and makes my arm hairs stand up. It sums up a lot of what I am feeling/will feel/have felt. Enjoy!

Brownsville, Texas

-Population: 139,722

-Elevation: 33 whole feet!

-15th largest city in the state of Texas.

-During the Civil War, Brownsville was used as a smuggling point for Confederate goods into Mexico, most importantly cotton smuggled to European ships waiting at the Mexican port of Bagdad.

-Brownsville is the southernmost city in Texas.

-Brownsville is among the southernmost of all U.S. cities. Hawaii has a couple of cities more south, and Florida has North Miami Beach which is also a little more south.

-Home of the 2nd annual Duramed FUTURES Tour Historic Brownsville Open.

Words of Wisdom

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear into the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

The Countdown Begins...

Well, I leave in only 4 short days! I will be heading down to Brownsville, Texas for the Historic Brownsville Open. If you don't know where Brownsville is, look on a map. It is located where the Gulf of Mexico, the country of Mexico and Texas meet. Oh boy. Needless to say, I have a long trek ahead of me but years of driving Denver to Memphis have seasoned me.

My practice the last couple weeks has been awesome. I really feel productive opposed to just being out there mindlessly hitting balls. For me, it has always been a struggle to keep a purpose and practice with consequence. I keep it interesting with little games or challenges for myself. That makes time fly by and before you know it the challenge is complete and it's time to go home! I went to see Eli about my putting alignment and feel really good about it now. Sometimes, it's easy to groove a bad habit and for a set of eyes watching intently on good technique helps tremendously! It definitely avoids hours of grooving that bad habit!

I will be gone for about a month playing in three tournaments. I am very excited to start playing and getting back into that atmosphere. It is something I crave when I practice and knowing the feeling of competing on a high level also helps make practice productive becuase you want to be prepared for those high-pressure events. I feel that I have succeeded in my preparation and I am ready.

What I am reading: The American Plague by Molly Caldwell Crosby
What I am listening to: Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

New Toys

I picked up my new Titleist AP2 irons yesterday from Hotstix [Robert] at the Colorado Golf Academy. They are fantastic. I hit them extremely well and fired a little 72 to welcome them to the bag. I didn't notice a ton of difference in the new grooves, especially out of the rough but it will be more noticeable in the wedges. Those won't come into play until May.

My new irons are 2* upright and my old ones were standard. The newbies are a tad lighter, and less stiff. My other irons had all different shaft frequencies and the 8, 9 irons were stiffer shafts than my 4, 5, 6 irons. Not good. They also have a .600 round grip opposed to the .580 [standard] for my little hands. Altogether it creates more feel and workability for my swing. It was noticeable yesterday, that's for sure.

What I am reading: The American Plague by Molly Caldwell Crosby

Exciting News + Update

First of all, I am proud to announce a new partnership with LEFT HAND BREWING COMPANY. I am so excited about this as it something I love from my hometown and cannot wait to promote around the country! I will be sporting their logo on my hat, as well as my shirt. Thank you Left Hand for your support!!

Things have been going great lately. I spent some time on the course on Tuesday before it snowed. A quick nine holes followed by some technique on the range until it started raining sideways. Since, I have been writing some sponsor letters, and honing my mental game. I finally finished Your 15th Club. In the book it says to write down affirmations so I have been compiling something that I can take on the road but still colorfully displays the positive things that should be flowing through my brain at all times. By reading them every day, it is a small reminder what I am supposed to be focused on while I practice/play. 

My new sticks should be here any day. I got my balls and gloves on Tuesday. I am so excited to get them and take them down to Robert so he can fix them up for competition. It will depend on how they perform on the golf course if I will take them down to Texas. The FUTURES Tour does require conforming grooves but the actual rule isn't in effect until July.

The countdown is just a mere 22 days away. I will be doing the drive in two days, stopping and relaxing in Ft. Worth with my best friend for a day/dinner to hang out and catch up. I will need to stop anyway becuase the drive is 22.5 hours. Yikes!

What I am reading: Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
What I am listening to: Mercy Me - Spoken For

Not A Cloud In the Sky....

Man, the two weeks have just been amazing outside. So sunny, creeping up to 60* temps, couldn't ask for better weather in March! Yesterday I played Fox Hill, my first full 18 holes there this year and shot 67. I was pretty jazzed about it. I have been playing really well lately and of course LOVING IT! I have put in some hard work the last two weeks and will continue to do so, weather permitting. The countdown is on till my first event in Rancho Viejo, Texas.

Meanwhile, I am still raising money and looking for sponsors so I can make this happen. This has been an exciting journey so far, and it really hasn't fully started yet. There are so many people that have been awesome in supporting me and I just wanted to say thank you. You guys rock.

What I am Reading: Golf's Sacred Journey by Dr. David Cook
What I am Listening To: We Are Loved - David Crowder Band

Heat Wave!

The last couple days have been out of this world in terms of weather. I played 18 at Green Valley Ranch on Wednesday afternoon and it felt like a warm summer evening. A little break from the arctic we have been enduring for the last couple months. There was a front that moved in and out this morning so I spent some time at the gym while it was chilly.

Wednesday I spent some time, and by some time, I mean some time at Colorado Golf Academy getting fit for some new conforming grooves! I got a full fit from Hot Stix. It was really fun and super informative thanks to the guru, Robert. I was finally open to the idea of a hybrid, I'm an iron girl myself, but not anymore! I am super excited to get my new sticks in my hands and start grinding with 'em. I'm ordering them hopefully next week! Titleist will definitely be loving my business seeing as I am using everything but their driver, including glove and ball. It is fantastic equipment and can't wait to start using it when I play.

Welp, off to go play and enjoy the sunshine!

One Great Philosophy

"Strive to be the best that you can be in your life and your pursuits. Make a commitment to always be better tomorrow than today. Accept that failure is part of life and is an opportunity to find a better way of doing things. Accept that the pursuit of excellence is a life long exciting journey of continual improvement and constant positive change. Pursue your dreams and your passions."

-Brian Willis CEO, Winning Mind Training Inc.

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For The Good of The Game

As the Olympics draw to a close I am saddened. Saddened becuase for these two weeks people see hard work pay off, dreams come true and character revealed. The Olympics display this better than any sporting event simply becuase they are founded on what sports are about. They are about heart, hard work, determination, perseverance, and the ability to side step and overcome obstacles whether they are personal or athletic related . If this doesn't inspire you, well you need to check yourself. There is no better feeling to an athlete than to see hard work pay off. It is one of the most indescribable feelings you can feel. You can't comprehend it until you feel it. For two weeks now, the world has seen these feelings captured on television. Watching from home, I can't help but feel restless and BEYOND excited to display my hard work. As an athlete there is no better feeling. I want to feel it again.

Don't get me wrong, it is not only these two weeks that I feel inspired. My goals are always on my mind. If you want to attain something greater you have to work constantly toward that goal covering all bases. There are times where giving up seems easier, or things you cannot control start to happen but that is not the time to give up, it is simply an opportunity to make you stronger. That is what the athletes in the Olympics go through. If you are an athlete it is what you go through to build these characteristics that complete you as a player. They are all necessary to mold you into the competitor you are when you compete.

There is no greater feat than to watch an athlete conquer his/her demons. The things that help you stray from your goal are essentially demons. Throughout the Olympics, athletes are stacked against their competition, people's expectations, their own expectations and it gets heavy to carry all of that without knowing that the way you have trained, and almost numbed yourself to get through that training, has helped create an armor to unleash your talent at the moment when it is all on the line. When you have it all to loose or all to gain. It is not the time to play it safe. All those hours grinding are not meant for a time where you try to just get by. They are meant for you to put it all on the line and take what you've worked for. When athletes fall it isn't sad, it seems empowering. Not because they lost but because they weren't afraid to fail. Things happen that are out of our control but the relentless pursuit of victory does not allow competitors to go in half hearted.

That's what I love about sports.

Typical Tuesday

Today I had a great session down at the Colorado Golf Academy. My swing is feeling really good, but more importantly I am fundamentally better than I have ever been before. I am really happy that all my hard work has solidified a great swing and it can just get better. I have never moved the golf club so efficiently and I am really excited to put this into contention and see how great it can get. I hit so many balls today I have blisters on my hands. I have never been so excited to see them.



What I am reading: The Fundamentals of Hogan by David Leadbetter and Lorne Rubenstein
What I am listening to: Flyleaf

Comeback 2.0

I am a huge fan of Lance Armstrong. His story truly inspires me. I have read all of his books and follow his Tour de France campaigns closely. I just got his newest book Comeback 2.0 about his 2008/2009 comeback to competitive cycling. I read it in about 2 hours. Ha. It's awesome. His work ethic and drive are incredible.

Best quote in the book: "For me, living life to the fullest is about testing myself, accepting challenges, training hard, and then going for it." -Lance Armstrong

Yes, please. 

Update

I got in some great practice last week and it has been showing in my lessons with Eli. He is a fantastic teacher and we connect well which helps a lot! I always look forward to the challenges he gives me during our lessons because they aren't easy. We are working on some great stuff and I have really noticed a difference in my ball striking. It has been a huge decision trying to find an instructor and the first one I tried has worked out beyond what I could have imagined!



I have also been trying out various Sandbagger Inc. shoes. They are so comfortable and look really edgy. I have been wearing them in the wet weather here in Colorado and they are holding up great. Here is the pair I am favoring right now.


My first event looks like it is going to be in Rancho Viejo, Texas April 19-25. I am really counting down the days till I leave. All the preparation during the off-season has me giddy to get back to tournaments. I have been working really hard on the course and off to be ready to go. Mentally it has been my strongest off-season so I am very pleased and beyond excited!

Art

My older brother Aaron is an esteemed artist (among other impressive talents) and a doctoral student at Princeton University. Here is his guinea pig cartoon of me playing golf. I love it.
[drawing by Aaron Hostetter as seen on his blog]
He drew it 2 years ago, but I just found it and figured I'd share. Enjoy!

Result vs. Process

Awesome day in Colorado today! I was on the range by 9am! No frost, just a little sunshine to keep me company. It was fantastic. Hoping for some more days like today!

When I was working on the range today, I was thinking to myself that if people were watching the drill I was doing right now, they would be thinking to themselves, "what is she doing out there?", "might as well not hit balls". Haha. Well I just laugh to myself because those people are RESULT orientated.

Golf requires practice right? Yes. But why would you practice your strengths? That is what silences people when they criticize someone who isn't hitting it well or not making every putt, especially if they are a "pro". Well this was written with them in mind. If you have read any sort of mental game book they will tell you it is about how good your process is, not how good your result is. You can't control your result! Playing a game on natural surfaces might be one the most inconsistent and frustrating things about the game. However, it is what makes the game truly unique. It can cause a well executed golf shot to go wayward or end up in a hazard. That is simply why being mentally tough will get you to the highest level (along with some skill, no doubt).

So I'm there on the range doing my drill, and laughing at this phenomenon because you go to any proshop in America and there are guys playing cards or having a drink in the pub talking about this kind of stuff. But for any golfer it is not about your result it is about your process. So right now, as you might have guessed, I am working on my process. That's what is required of all good players that want to improve. Working on weaknesses and improving the process. The process is important. It saves you when your mind might be in an uncomfortable place. It has come through for guys down the stretch in majors on the PGA tour and the same with girls on the LPGA tour. Every good player knows that if you are in that unfamiliar territory your process/pre-shot routine will save you....if you have put in that work.

This was one of the hardest things for me to learn as a golfer in college. All I saw were results and before you have that mental turnaround, you are not going to play to your potential. Like I’ve said, I’ve seen it in almost every mental game book I’ve picked up but I don’t think it is emphasized enough. It’s a shame because when you have a round that is not result orientated, it’s so much easier to go out the next day and perform consistently if not better. Being process orientated will get you focusing on things that only you can control and that’s all you can do on the golf course. If you let yourself worry about things you can’t control, you might as well hang up the clubs and take up a new hobby.

For me, it is one of my goals to always stay with my process and perfect my process, not worry about my results.

Michael Jordan, one of the world's finest athletes in his day said, “I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” It is one of the most solid statements an athlete can hold on to because it’s true.

February Golf in CO

Today looks like a perfect day! High of 44*! Perfect!
I am just waiting for some frost to melt and I will be heading out to Colorado National to get in some practice. Things with my swing have been going really well. Eli and I are still working hard on it building a solid foundation to carry me through the year. I am beyond excited to start playing and for the weather to start cooperating! Hopefully some more of this snow can melt. In the meantime, I will be playing around it! Yippee!

The Tough Part of My Job

Getting started has been tough. A lot has been required of me in terms of putting myself out there and cultivating relationships with different people. I have normally been a shy, modest person especially around people I barely know, but this has helped me to become more outgoing. However, not only am I working on my character, but meeting and forming great relationships. Support has always meant a lot to me. It helps like those times when you are out on the chipping green, rounding off hour 6 and you want to go home and take it easy. I remember people saying the occasional, 'great job', 'way to follow your dreams', or 'good luck with your season!'. Tiny things like that are not so tiny in my mind. They help tremendously!

It's hard being out there by yourself, sometimes. That support means a lot.

It's also great to have that support when things get rough or mentally exhausting. I've always said, you can't do something you love running on fumes. You just can't. There is no will or perseverance to get through something you don't truly have you heart set on.

It is also a challenge financially. I hate asking my own parents for money, I hate asking myself for money! It's just something I have a hard time doing. However, Central Elementary Spell-a-thon's helped a little! Haha. The fact is, I need a lot of money to travel around and play. There have been many that, by the grace of God, have given and I am so grateful for their contribution. However, to play a full season, I need the rest. I don't feel like it's my place to ask for money especially amidst catastrophes (Haiti) and the economic fiascoes going on in the US. I know I am facing a hard road financially in the economic state of the country, yet I will still press on.

A great family friend, who has been following me since I picked up a club at the ripe old age of 4 years old, has given tremendously thus far and couldn't be a bigger cheerleader. He is set on getting me out there and achieving my dreams. It is neat to see him giving back to someone, becuase he wished someone had done the same for him. I can't wait for the day when I can show someone the same grace and sense of giving he has shown me. I am eternally grateful.

Although, this road is hard, I am beyond excited to commence my journey. I hope that people will feel a need to help, anything helps, becuase I NEED HELP! I am not afraid to ask for it. :)


What I am reading: Modoc by Ralph Helfer
What I am listening to: Ke$ha - Animal

Tweet Tweet!

For all of you that haven't seen the side bar on the right, I am on Twitter!! Follow me, I love followers :).


TWITTER/TheRachelLarson


What I'm Reading: Your 15th Club by Dr. Bob Rotella
What I'm Listening To: Late Night Alumni - Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies Etc.  

Duramed FUTURES Tour 2010 Schedule

***Click to view schedule***

 

Rachel Alexandra: A Filly with a Whole Lotta Heart

What a great holiday season it was! Spending time with my family is always a great time and around the holidays makes it very special. I received a very cool gift this year. It is a 2009 bottle of Rachel Alexandra wine. If you are not familiar, Rachel Alexandra, besides being my first and middle name, is a Thoroughbred filly who won the Preakness Stakes in May 2009. She was the first filly (a female horse) to win in 85 years. She is a front runner which means she likes to either run out front the entire time or a stalker which is following the leader.

[Christmas Eve with my new bottle of Rachel Alexandra wine!]

I took notice of her in May when she had won the Grade I Kentucky Oaks (contests on Friday before the Kentucky Derby) by 20 lengths. That margin of victory is incredible. She went on to be a sleeper pick in the Preakness Stakes, the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown. All odds were against her, but whoever put money on her hopefully went straight to the bank with it! She competed from the 13th gate and currently is the only horse ever to win from the 13th gate. She went on to win 9 races in a row until her off-season.

It was so much fun to watch her race this summer. She is big for a filly but stands shorter than most of her fellow colt competitors. Following her campaign made me think of the sleeper pick which I might be in some tournaments this year. There are many parallels to how I have worked and the possible results that could become of this next year and to Rachel Alexandra's racing career. She is somewhere else I can draw confidence and inspiration from and to receive that gift meant I can look at it everyday. It was very special.

Too bad I have to let it age for 5 years....

What I'm Reading: Nancy Drew - The Bungalow Mystery
What I'm Listening To: Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster

Status

I have received my status for the 2010 Duramed FUTURES Tour. I will be a Non-exempt, Category C Rank #41. This essentially means I will get in to a majority of the tournaments and get priority over category C #42.

I have a lot of paperwork to do for setting up my membership but I am looking forward to it!

Early Mornings and Global Teammates

Since finishing college, one of the hardest things that I still have to adapt to is being a self-motivator. Playing as a team, working out as a team and doing things with a team constantly rid my habit of this. However, when I was on the team I still needed to be a self-motivator becuase of poor coaching my first three years. Before college, I was out at the course when it was 20 degrees out and there were only three cars in the parking lot. Now, after graduating, that doesn't sound to tempting if 4 or 5 other girls don't have to endure it either!

This thought process was sparked by my early wake up call at 7:30am this morning. My plan was to get to the gym by 8am and leave by 9:30am. I had a workout planned all I had to do was get up! Well, knowing myself like I do, I heard the alarm and slowly rolled out of bed at approximately 7:50 and got dressed and headed over there. In college, we had workouts at 6am, three days a week. I loved getting up early for those workouts. The great thing about them was that there was a trainer to have the workout planned and tell you when to do what. It's hard that early to get your brain moving as fast as our legs were!

Anyway, to workout so early today, made me miss enduring those hard workouts with my teammates. It definitely pushed me to be in better shape and get better rest at night. Now, I usually workout in the evenings becuase they aren't filled with school work (thank goodness!).

I guess you could say that now, after graduating, there are only a select few that are still playing maybe at an amateur level but definitely a select few that are playing at a professional level and those girls around the country getting up early and working out and then practicing or whatever they are doing to help their game, are my new teammates. We might not workout together or practice together, but I know they are working hard, and in order to keep up or pass them, I have to work just as hard if not harder. That is a great feeling knowing you are a part of a select few doing something that you absolutely love.

I think my self-motivating skills are coming back and being honed more than ever. Gotta keep practicing them though! :)

What I'm Reading: The Golfer's Mind by Dr. Bob Rotella
What I'm Listening To: Breaking Benjamin - We Are Not Alone Here 

Week of Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving because it always leaves me to think about the things I am very thankful for. I do this way more than just during the holidays but in November it seems more special.

I have been blessed with an athletic talent that has earned me a free education, led me to travel all around the country and even to Canada and Mexico, has taught me more about life than life will ever be able to, and has connected me with some of the most beautiful people in the world.

I have a family that makes this all happen with their utmost support and I am so thankful that I have a family that believes in my dream as much as I do. Without that, it would be a hard swim upstream.

I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back and arms and legs to run and jump and skip! I could go into very small detail but you get the idea.

Down at Q-School, I couldn't help but just feel this overwhelming feeling of thankfulness. Thankfulness, not only that I have the ability to compete, but that I was even there! So that leads me to be thankful to the members of the Longmont community who say good job, or good luck, or play well, or give your money, or an ear to listen to. None of your actions go unnoticed. I am so blessed with the support!! Thank you!

This is definitely what I will be thinking about this week. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not-So-Off-Season

People hear the term "off-season" and think of time off, naturally. Well, for me, it means, "work-harder-season". Off-season is typically the time for changes to your physical routine in the gym, any swing changes and mental routine. I have stepped up workouts from 4 days a week like they were when I was playing, to 6 times a week. I have also upped the weight in all exercises. Upping the weight means upping the stretch time and yoga. I have created a workout plan based on some of the things we did in the off-season in college and added some of my own things I need to strengthen in the gym.

Off-season is also a time to work on some habits that may have hindered you in the last year or just some things you want to change about your game that you couldn't really do during season. For me these tweaks started in September with Eli and had to be put at a halt due to FUTURES Q-school. Now, those tweaks are back on track and I have been working really hard on them in the last week. When there is snow on the ground, I am working in front of a mirror and doing a lot of mental practice. Essentially, I am swinging, then imagining I am striping it down the middle. When more snow melts, I will be chipping and putting like a madwoman!

There are many different ways to work on your mental routine. One I practice is visualization. The good news is, I can work on this when there is snow on the ground and when there isn't! Some of the best books for the mental game I have read in the off-season include: Mind Gym- this is my favorite and every chapter is like gold; Every Shot Must Have a Purpose- also a go-to; and pretty much any book by Dr. Bob Rotella, especially The Golfer's Mind. These books of mine have been read many, many times and highlighted and written in as well.

One of the pinpointed things I am working on on the mental game is the art of positive thinking. I just made that up but it is an art and it is something EVERYONE needs to work on! Essentially, it is taking ANY situation and drawing ALL possible positives from it. Example: Before Q-school I was working on some swing mechanics, when in reality, before a tournament a player should be looking to find feel. Well, all the changes I was making to my swing were good for my process, and not so good for my result. This essentially means that people shouldn't be focused on the result, because there are too many variables that can reek havoc on the result. If you focus on the process, and it is constantly the same, things can rarely go wrong. SO, with those swing changes I wasn't hitting it the way I would have liked before the tournament. I had two choices at that point, pout about not hitting it perfect or taking what I had, trust in it completely and go to work! Needless to say, I chose the latter, trusting every swing in Florida and my mental practice paid off! My goal was not to play well because that goal is result-focused, my goal was to trust in my ability, no matter what my swing looked like because I know I have a solid short game and a very strong mental game. Well, I achieved my goal and that is what I am most proud of. Now, during the off-season, is the time to focus on those tweaks and work on them without having tournaments.

"Off-season is a time to work harder because someone, somewhere else is working harder than you."

Check It Out!

What Is the Duramed FUTURES Tour?? Watch and find out.....

"If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. for where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing."


-Saint Augustine

Q-school: The Aftermath

Whoa! What a long two weeks I have had! First let me break down the last round.

I started out alright. I played the par-5's awful, which is usually a strength. I had to hit a lefty shot and hit in two hazards on the day which is very uncharacteristic for me. Played the par-4's awesome. Was -1 on them which is something I have been working hard on. I have always been able to murder the par-5's but par-4's have been a different story. It was incredible to have Kathryn on the bag helping me stay positive, I would have gotten pretty angry at my par-5 stat had she not distracted me around the golf course. She was pointing to pine trees around the course calling them "CRIMA TREES" which had me in hysterics. A good laugh does wonders for my golf game. I tried to make a run the last 3 holes but had a terrible break on my 18th. After the round, it was like I was hit by a train. Mentally I was SHOT. Physically, I surprisingly felt pretty good! I guess it helps training at 5,000 feet!

I finished T78th. Started the day out at T73rd. The last day played pretty tough becuase of the 20-30mph wind so I'm glad my worst score of the week didn't put me too far back. Making the cut, (top 90 & ties) put me in a place to earn a great status on tour. I will know for sure by mid-December after the Final Stage of LPGA Q-School. A lot of FUTURES tour players are doing both so some could earn status on the LPGA or gain exempt status on the FUTURES Tour.

Attitude was KEY this week. I had a great attitude and stayed so positive. Playing 9 rounds of golf in 10 days is unbelievable, throw in some big time pressure, and 5 straight competitive rounds you have one tired girl! It's definitely a lot to ask out of a golfer. There is a reason why they call it a school, it'll school you if you aren't careful! There were so many outside variables occuring this week that can really play with your head if you don't have the right defenses. I mentioned playing 9 rounds in 10 days but they were all 5 hours PLUS. They were some of the longest rounds I have ever played yet I stayed in the present, being so content where I was, and not anxious. I could tell it was really bothering some of the players and it showed in their rounds. I am proud to say that not once, did I let a short fuse ruin a round. Not once, did I get down on myself or think of the actual task at hand [gaining a good status], and not once did I think I couldn't get through it successfully. I am so happy that my mental practice has paid off in this regard. Those are the fundamentals to playing great golf on the road constantly. However, now I am exhausted. I returned from Orlando last night and got some good rest. I plan on taking a little time off, since this will be the only time I will have that luxury! I will be hitting the gym hard for the next couple months and getting sharp for March!

My winter plans are pretty simple. I will be going back to Florida at some point to visit my old teammates just to get out of the cold/snow and get some golf in, and/or possibly going to visit a friend from junior golf in Arizona to play in some Cactus events. Nothing is for sure yet but those the next issues to be addressed!

Thanks for all the support and stopping by for an update! If you have any questions/comments leave them!! I love hearing from you guys or you can email me at rlarson11@gmail.com

Day 5: Q-school

Lake Region Yacht & Country Club:

I shot 78. Finished decent though. I'm not sure the exact place but I heard 78th. I'll write more about it later when it doesn't take an hour to write on an iPhone!! :)

Day 4: Q-school

The Golf Club at Bridgewater:

Today's wind takes the cake. Windiest day all week. Fortunate enough for me, I am played the course that has absolutely no trees; links style. I started horrible. I was +3 through 4 holes then the next 14 holes I was -3 to shoot an even par 72. This is a big step for me because like I have said before I would get down on myself or pout about the way things were going but, today I did something about it! In the 14 holes that I played well, I made 5 birdies, but missed about 6 putts from 5-15 feet that skimmed the edge of the hole. This is rather frustrating but to have 8 legit looks at birdie on the back nine, is awesome. I am very pleased with those 14 holes.

This leaves me at T73rd. Made the cut. I started the day at T120th and jumped that high which is awesome. I am very excited to play tomorrow, my good friend and old teammate Kathryn will be caddying for me at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. This will be awesome to have her to talk to and to settle doubts on yardage. I really like having someone there to help me decide. As long as I can decide on a club/yardage, I can made a great swing at it.

Tomorrow will be a great day and I have survived my first professional cut. Gotta keep making good decisions and get some putts to drop tomorrow!!

Day 3: Q-school

Ridgewood Lakes Country Club:

Today was windy! Again! Shot 76! Again! I started off #10 and played the front nine alright. Made one birdie and one par. The back nine I made some course management mistakes but kept them to bogeys. Played solid until my 16th hole when I hit it OB by about 4 inches. But that is the way it goes so I hit a drive in play and made double. My bogey putt stopped about an inch short in the heart of the cup. Went for some birdies on the next two holes but just barely missed my attempts. Overall, attitude was good again. Can't complain when you hit it in the water and OB and you are +3 on those holes. Other than that I was only +1 so overall an okay day. I really need a number tomorrow to sneak into the top-90.

Right now I am heading to my last course to play Golf Club at Bridgewater to putt because the greens I played today were pretty good greens and the greens tomorrow will probably be the opposite. Gotta get used to hitting it pretty hard at the hole.

Moving day wasn't so much a moving day but to stay pretty consistent is something every golfer wants to see. Although I am making one or two big mistakes, those will go away pretty quick with some competition and more practice. Like I said yesterday it has been tough with swing changes but my focus is on the big picture, just trying to get through the week with a good status on tour.

Gotta light it up tomorrow!!

Day 2: Q-school

Lake Region Yacht and Country Club:

Today was windy! The cold front moved in last night and it was a little chilly this morning, about 75 degrees. Tough eh? The front nine was not so good. I started out well getting up and down my first two holes and a close birdie opportunity on my third. After the front I was +5 and not happy about it. I lipped out for birdie on #10 and made birdie on the par-5, 12th from 3'. I had a great up and down on the next hole and lipped for birdie again on #13 and #17. Threw in some solid pars and a bogey and birdied #18 to shoot 76. One under on the back really saved me. That is something I have worked endlessly on; my attitude. Before college, I would get really angry if the front wasn't going so well and kind of give up, but in college you have to grind for ALL eighteen holes. I think I even referenced this in the summer at the Colorado Open to the Times Call. Grinding is about not giving up and always thinking you can get that ball in the hole, NOW. If you asked me what the biggest difference between amateurs, college players and professionals are, attitude would be a big reason why amateurs are amateurs and not becoming decent professional golfers. Of course, there are many other reasons why they might not be, but to grind out five tournament days like I am this week, you need a good head on your shoulders!

The girls that are on my course rotation are sparse at the top of the leaderboard. Hopefully they left some low scores for us at the next two courses. I will play Ridgewood Country Club tomorrow at 9am EST.

Currently, I am in T118th and two shots out of T83rd. It's been hard not to get frustrated at some of the mistakes that I have made over the last couple days due to swing change growing pains but I am taking them in stride and know that they are temporary. Aside from that, I am very pleased with my short game and mental game. I really didn't know what to expect coming down here and have met a lot of really nice, helpful people who are also on the road traveling solo. Overall, I am still having an absolute blast. I feel very blessed to be where I am right now. It feels like I belong here.

Day 1: Duramed FUTURES Tour Qualifying School

Huntington Hills Golf Course and Country Club:

Things went pretty well today. Shot 75 with 31 putts. Not the most ideal amount of putts. The greens were a bit slow but smooth. I hit the ball well today with the exception of a few drives. Had two birdies, on two par-3's. We played in about five and a half hours and the weather was cooler than it has been this week, 80. I played with fun girls and we had some camaraderie going.

Low score from my course was 70. Not scary low, but it was definitely doable. I left about five putts heading right to the heart of the cup but stopped short. It was hard to get the speed, becuase you had to hit it so hard!

Had a blast and enjoying this to the maximum. I mean...I get to play here tomorrow [Lake Region Yacht and Country Club].
[Photo by Kathryn O'Rourke]

Hot, Hot, Hot!!

It's been pretty hot down here in central Florida! So far, been grinding away learning the tricks and breaks of these courses. They are pretty average as tournament venues go, but the two country club's greens are very true. All the girls I have met have been very nice and fun to play with. I am staying with two of my old teammates in Orlando before the tournament starts so it has been a blast catching up with them and having them show me around their stomping grounds!

Everyday has consisted of playing a golf course, getting a little practice in, then heading back to the crib to get a little R&R in to recharge for the next day! It has been a blast just playing at different courses and being in the warm weather!

I am really excited to start playing tomorrow. I played solid in the practice rounds now it's time to let go of expectations go out there and have fun! My old teammate Kathryn and I were chatting on the range today saying, "Now is the time you either have it or your don't!" True statement. We are ready to go and put up some numbers.

You guys who aren't enjoying the 90 degree weather (a cold front is coming through don't worry, it'll be 80) can follow the tournament here. We are playing in foursomes and in carts, so the rounds will be long and a mental test!

Here's a video Kathryn and I watched tonight. Some last minute motivation.

Countdown...

3 days till wheels up to Orlando!

Preparation

I published this two and a half years ago. I remember writing it in a hotel in Hattisburg, Mississippi. I had a decent amount of mental training through Marylin Norcross, a sports psychologist out of Greeley, CO. What she taught me will forever be pertinent in my life whether it is in the workplace, in relationships or on the golf course competing. This is something that fits nicely into to this week as I get ready to leave for Florida.

<30+15


A champion gets up even when they can’t.

When I am on my game, I am unstoppable. I spend so much of my time reaching for perfection, when perfection can never be reached. I choose to work hard. I exert a considerable amount of energy in weights and run so many miles to build a dominating force. My focus is intense and abundant. I wait patiently for my time to come when all the variables will be in place to crush the field. I have already won. The countless hours poured into my game have gotten me where I am and that in itself is a victory. I want to be able to come off the course knowing I put it all out there; I used my tools in the best way I know how. I am not looking for acceptance from other people but only from myself. I am playing for me and only me. I am trying to prove that all the sweat, hours, sacrifices, aches and pains were worth it. I aim to please my God in Heaven with the gift he has instilled in me for eternity. Everything I have been through, has prepared me for this moment. The obstacles and victories I have been through possessing the appropriate characteristics to allow me to execute this next shot with everything I have. I loose myself in the moment. Everything goes quiet; I know I am in the zone. I have one opportunity. I will not let it go, no matter how hard the conditions. I only see where I will hit my shot, how far, how hard; I have extremely good touch. I own the qualities to become the best this world has ever seen. I have a dream. I have determination. I have the will power to overcome anything. I have a support system people would dream to have. I have it all. Most of all, I know how to win.

Less than thirty; by fifteen.

When I won state my senior year of highschool, four and a half years ago, I had a saying; <30+15. It meant, less than 30 putts (you will usually play well if this goal is reached) and by 15 shots I will win it. Well, I did have less than 30 putts at state but I only won by 1. If one proves true, good things will happen.

What I've Been Up To...

In the past two weeks many things have evolved. I have come closer to presenting a proposal to potential investors or partners to help me with my professional career; Some of my leads for endorsements have come back positive, some negative; But probably the most important is I have started working with a new swing coach, Eli Haskell at the Colorado Golf Academy. In two weeks, my swing has slowly evolved into a more efficient motion. Trying to break old habits is hard work. I have been working at it everyday for those two weeks, sunshine or snow, to get it grooved for Q-School. Sitting at about two weeks till Q-School, I have stopped working so much on the mechanics and finding something to lock and load. I have been playing a lot, played 29 holes yesterday, and grinding with my wedge game and putting.

Most importantly, I have been doing some mental practice. I believe this is the most vital part to the game and it has certainly proved true this past summer. I stepped out of college with a very positive, can-do attitude, and with total belief in myself. If I don't believe I can do it, I'm wasting my time out there.

Members of the community in Longmont have been so encouraging with their words and their actions to get my FUTURES Tour dream off and running. I have been so thankful to and proud to say I am from such a solid community where the members within do whatever they can to help others. It is something, not just for my professional aspirations but an incredible example of how a citizen should conduct their behavior. This has been very encouraging and such a positive thing to talk to people about. It has shown me people who love to see others pursue their dreams as well as the dream crushers out there that must have given up on a dream of theirs along the way. It is amazing how, talking to some people who have pursued their own dreams, confidence just radiates off of them and its contagious! This is an amazing quality to have. I am working on that myself.

FUTURES Tour Qualifying School is November 2-6, 2009. I leave on October 27th. I am very excited because I will be staying with two former teammates that I haven't seen in awhile. It will be great to get to some warmer weather and play some awesome golf with some amazing company!!

After Q-School, I will be working extremely hard on my iron accuracy to improve my Greens In Regulation, or GIRs. This is a stat I have always had trouble in, and when I am swinging it well and my putter is on, low numbers will come. I will also be working hard on my short game to ensure if a green is missed I make par or better. Needless to say, this winter, snow or not, I will be swinging a club every day.

I can't wait!

Played bad??....

...There is no such thing as a bad day on the golf course.

State Team Pictures

The Sycamore Hills clubhouse

The locker room

#5 tee box. Tough dog-leg right par-4. There is water before the green as well.

#8 green. One of the best shots of the course. This was the toughest hole on the course.

#18 green from the fairway. An challenging finishing hole. It was where my 2-under round was turned into an even round. Ha.

#9 green late in the day. Tough hole with that blaring sun in your eyes!

Scoreboard after the 3rd day.

I am posting US Amateur pics here.

Final Day

Played great today! Had it at even par making the turn, missed a 10', and lipped a 45' on #10 and #11. Made birdie on #12, 13 and 17. I was heading into #18 at two under and my drive clipped a tree and fell into the hazard. Almost made my 12' for bogey in front of a big crowd but it skimmed the edge. Had a blast though. Finished at even par, 72, for the day and T6th in the tournament. Colorado finished a first ever top-10 at T6th! We were really excited about that!! There were about double the fans out there today which made it really fun.

I played with a girl from Maryland, who I will spare her name, but she said, "How did you guys get in this group?" I said, "Excuse me, what?!" and she replied with, "well you just don't expect Colorado to be up there. I mean, it's not like you guys are Florida (which we beat) or Georgia or Alabama or something". All I could do was laugh at the high school senior and think, wow, get out more! We have two CO Golf Hall of Famers on our team! I told our captain that at dinner and she said too bad you didn't tell me earlier because I would have gave her a piece of my mind. Ha. I wish I would have told her earlier because I would have loved to watch her rip into the 17-year-old. Haha. Priceless.

It was sad to say goodbye to the Sycamore Hills staff and their beautiful layout, as it always is. They were great to us and couldn't have done a better job. When I arrive at a golf course, it's like meeting someone for the first time. You are trying to get a feel of what they are like, how they respond to you, and get a feel of their personality. As the days go by, you learn new things about your new friend and have things you like and things you don't like, but by the time you leave, you are old friends. It is sad to leave but the memory will always be there. That is the thing about USGA Championships, they grow on you like friends.

Fort Wayne continued to hand out surprises this week and it will be a place I hold in high esteem. I throughly enjoyed myself and will reccomend it to whoever will be passing through!

Day 2

What a grind! I played decent except for that "snow bastard" as my playing partner from Montana calls "snowmen" (8). Other than that quadruple bogey and a double, I was even par for the day. One of my teammates from CO was disqualified because she signed a wrong scorecard but my other teammate shot only one more than her so the impact wasn't bad. We had some fans out on the course which was nice! People seemed to be excited that we were in Fort Wayne and happy to see us play. Gotta go get 'em tomorrow and make a move up the leader board! We are in T8th with Maryland, and Cali and I'm in 9th all alone again.

Made the News!

Day 1

Mornings at Sycamore Hills must come from heaven. It is the most beautiful place. On the first hole, I could not hear a thing except our group rustling around the greens. It is just incredible. Played very steady today missing some 10-15' putts, I hit all but two fairways and thirteen greens. Made three birdies, three bogeys en route to a even-par 72. No complaints there. Comfortably sitting in 4th all by my lonesome. CO is tied for third. Colorado has never finished in the top-10. We hope to bring home a trophy this week.

Spent the afternoon at the pool and had a brilliant dinner at O'Charlies.

Gotta go, the tv awaits.