If you look good, you feel good, if you feel good you play good, if you play good they pay good. -Deion Sanders
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hot, Hot, Hot!!
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.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Preparation
<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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What I've Been Up To...
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!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
State Team Pictures
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Final Day
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!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day 2
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 1
Spent the afternoon at the pool and had a brilliant dinner at O'Charlies.
Gotta go, the tv awaits.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O
Fort Wayne, Indiana. Home to 251,591 people (wow) and the 73rd largest city in the US (what?!). Surrounded by mature trees and corn fields, this oasis is home to a fantastic golf course. That course would be Sycamore Hills Golf Club. It is amazing, check it out. I thought I played a great golf course in St. Louis, this course about matches it! The USGA knows how to put on a tournament. They've had 109 years of experience, they better know! Fort Wayne has seemed to have a surprise for me around every corner, hopefully on that list is the Judy Bell trophy, named in honor of the 1996-1997 USGA President. That would top off a week in corn country!GO C-O!
Side note: Carol Semple Thompson (Pennsylvania) is here...check out her credentials – 1973 U.S. Women’s Amateur; 1990 and 1997 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur; 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur; 1974, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002 Curtis Cup team; 2006 and 2008 Curtis Cup captain.
During our formal dinner tonight, people clapped after the Curtis Cup team years and thought the announcer was done. Carol sat down after about half of it. Wow...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
USGA State Teams
Yardage: 6,095 yards
Par: 36-36—72
Defending champion: Arizona
Opened: 1989
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
USGA championships: This will be the first USGA championship for the club, but Sycamore Hills has hosted numerous state events, including three Indiana State Amateurs.
Designer notes: The course meanders through property first deeded by Andrew Jackson in 1835 that consists of mature trees, gentle hills and the Aboite River.
Nicklaus on Sycamore Hills: "Sycamore is one of the finest sites we’ve ever had the opportunity on which to design a golf course. [Owner] Jim Kelley says I tell all the owners that, but Sycamore Hills truly is a very, very fine site. It has gorgeous trees, great movement of property, and it had some existing lakes that really functioned quite well. The site had a little river moving through the property which really afforded a lot of opportunities to create different shots."
Indiana and USGA: This will be the 17th USGA event held in Indiana and the second of 2009, following the U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel. In seven previous Women’s State Team Championships, Indiana’s best finish was a tie for ninth in 2003 at Wellesley Country Club in Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Elite company: When Golf Digest named its top new private courses for 1990, Sycamore Hills fell just behind Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas, Nev.
WEBSITE FOR WOMEN'S USGA STATE TEAMS.
Colorado has never come in the top 10. With the team that we are taking, we hope to bring home a National Championship. We have a hall of famer - Kim Eaton and another decorated amateur in Janet Moore. I will be in great company on our team as well as our tournament. Many past US Amateur champions will be there as well as other accomplished amateurs.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tea Time
-Jerome K. Jerome
Monday, August 17, 2009
"Tiger at the Tee"
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Hazeltine crowd that day;
Tiger led by two, with but one more round to play,
And then when Padraig took an eight, and more did much the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
While a struggling few got up to go in deep, intense despair,
Some others stayed right in their seats, sensing something in the air.
They thought, "If only one could make a move, I probably would not flee
I'd like to see them challenge Woods -- however unlikely."
But Westwood preceded Tiger, as did also McIlroy,
And the former was a loser, while the latter was a boy.
So upon that stricken multitude came thoughts of boring play,
For there seemed but little chance of catching Tiger on that day.
Then Yang uncorked a booming drive to the wonderment of all,
And next up was his eagle, a perfect chipping of the ball.
And when the pin was lifted, and they saw what had occurred,
There was Y.E. safe in first ... and Tiger nearing third.
Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
How would Tiger come right back? They couldn't quite yet tell.
They clapped their hands together and yelled with utter glee.
For Tiger, mighty Tiger, was coming to the tee.
There was ease in Tiger's manner as he took his usual stance;
There was pride in Tiger's bearing and a swoosh upon his pants.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly touched his cap,
No fan there in the crowd could doubt that he would close the gap.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he put his tee into the dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he adjusted his red shirt.
While Yang hit his drive a ways, to a place where he could score,
Tiger hit his all that way -- and some twenty yards or more.
And now again the small, white sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Tiger stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
But close by the sturdy flag, the stubborn ball it sped --
"$@!%&*^ @%^&," said Tiger. "Get down!" his caddy said.
From the bleachers full of people, there went up a muffled roar,
They were waiting for the comeback, and they could hardly wait much more.
"Catch him! Catch that Yang!" shouted someone on the stand;
(Although he soon piped down, lest he get beat by Stevie's hand.)
With a bit of golfing charity, Yang left his next putt short;
But Tiger did not capitalize with his usual deft retort.
And so one hole was left to play and Tiger swung with might,
But Yang erased away all hope: His approach went nice and tight.
"Yang!" cried the surprised thousands, and then they yelled out "Y.E.!"
There walked a disappointed Tiger, a sight few hardly ever see.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain.
And they knew that Tiger wouldn't let one get away again.
So the match was all but finished, it had slipped from Tiger's grip.
You couldn't help excuse him if he let some curse words slip.
And now Yang confirmed it as his putt fell out of sight.
And the gathered crowd was shocked to see Woods fall without a fight.
Oh, somewhere in South Korea the sun is shining bright,
A band is playing somewhere, and there the hearts are light,
And in Seoul the men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there was no joy for Tiger as he meekly putted out.
Friday, August 7, 2009
US Amateur Pics
Thursday, August 6, 2009
One Great Week
July 31, 2009
TRAVEL
Man, what a long day! I woke up at 4am just exhausted. I made breakfast, packed up the car and left at around 4:50am. I drove four hours and was pulled over. 86 in a 70. Dammit. I continued to drive through extreme tiredness artificially covered up by Starbucks. Arrived at my host family’s home around 6:30pm. It felt good to be there! Met her for 5 minutes and she left for some plans she already had and I had her entire house to myself for the night! It was weird being in a strangers house without them there but very inviting and encouraging that someone would trust a complete stranger in her home!
August 1, 2009
1st PRACTICE ROUND
I arrived for registration to a room full of smiley volunteers. They were very nice in showing me the clubhouse and our locker, and dining room. I got my gift, a backpack and a local boutique’s necklace and signed two autographs (Ha. I was excited.)!! I went to breakfast and was just taking it all in. Meanwhile I was being waited on by some of the best waiters I have ever interacted with! Everything in the clubhouse was soo fancy and nice. I felt like I was in a Victorian mansion or something. I saw the trophy and it is one of the most beautiful trophies I’ve ever seen. I met my caddie, Tim, while I was warming up. He seemed nervous but I eased him by trying to make him laugh. We got out on the course and it started pouring. It rained for 7 holes just non stop and got everything wet. A
fter hole 8, it cleared up a bit and was a nice afternoon! I played with a girl who was on the National Championship USC team of last year, Morgan Pressel (LPGA Pro)’s sister, and the girl who beat me by 1 at our qualifier in Denver! It was really fun meeting some new friends. Interesting getting to know their personalities behind the cutthroat competitors that they are on the golf course. My friend Alison and I practiced a bit after our round and headed to the fancy dinner they had for us at the course put on by the USGA. They had all kinds of yummy stuff there! Sushi, roast beef, pasta and bite size desserts!! They introduced all the past USGA Champions the president of the club spoke as well as the USGA president. It was a short program. Alison and I sat by a girl from England and a girl from Scotland. It was fun to meet them and hear about their stories of coming across the pond for the 18-hole qualifier. Wow. I only drove an hour to mine and they spent $1500 just for the qualifier!! I was so tuckered out so I headed home to get some much needed rest!
August 2, 2009
2nd PRACTICE ROUND
August 3, 2009
1st ROUND
I woke up around 8am for my 1pm tee time. I went to the club for breakfast and went to see the hole locations on #9 and #18. Moseyed on back to my family’s house and wrote some emails, checked the weather. When I came back to warm up, I was hitting it awesome, putting okay, and I was SO excited to play. Got up to the first tee and they do equipment checks. They look at the brands of your clubs, bag, ball, clothes, shoes, hat, glove etc. If you have ever watched golf, commercials come on that say, “Titleist. The #1 ball in golf.” It’s true and that is how they can say that. I saw on twitter that Titleist was the #1 ball at the Am 129 and the nearest competitor was 7. Ha. I teed off first and just ripped one down the middle. It was so exciting. Lots of people were on the tee watching so it was awesome. After my round, I had felt a little bittersweet about it. I had a great group of girls that I played with, but missing some short putts really killed my score. I didn't see a shot that I didn't have or have ever hit, it was just a matter of executing the right shot at that particular time. I had a double, which really frustrates me because I have had 3 in the past month and
a half, which for me, has been a huge part of shooting consistently under 78 for the summer. I figured, even with the double, it was an OK first round but we gotta come back and do work tomorrow morning to make match play. I putted for a while and hit some balls until about 7pm then headed home. On tap for the night was a BBQ at my host mom’s brother’s (host uncle if you will) house with some other girls from the tournament. It was great chilling outside with some great company, great food at an incredible house. The conversation was fun and making new friends is always enjoyable for me! I was exhausted and the only one there who didn’t get to shower so I requested to head home about 9pm. Had to talk to the paparazzi (haha) and then the parents then headed to bed after watching some Golf Channel.
August 4, 2009
2nd ROUND
Morning came too soon, but I woke up excited as ever to get back out there. Had an amazing breakfast at the club and headed out to warm up. This week I made a great warm up mix with a little Britney Spears- Radar and Break the Ice and some Miike Snow- Cult Logic. Can't forget the MGMT- Kids and Electric Feel and Newpoint's cover of In The Air Tonight. Needless to say it was a sick mix. Like the previous day, I was hitting the ball very solid but I was putting a lot better. Got up to #10 tee and ripped it down the middle again. I was thinking, "man, this is fun, I could do this for a living!" I got off to a rocky start, double bogeying the par-5 that I had birdied the day before. Anytime I bogey a par-5 it feels like a double so it was a hole where I lost a lot of ground. With my length and short game I should birdie them all! This golf course was demanding on every shot and I pushed my drive a little too far right so
it was out of position. Finished that nine well with a birdie on #16 (made a 12’), birdie on #17 (drained my 3’ – par 3 185 yards hit 5 iron to 3’) and made a great up and down out of the trees for a par on #18 (made an 18’). I was heading to the back nine at 2-over and beaming with confidence. Made a 45’ on #2 for birdie and had so many chances on my back nine to make a charge and get under that cut line but nothing fell.
I limped into the clubhouse with a bogey-bogey finish and had to wait to see if I made the cut. Never a good place to be. I knew that those last two holes were going to make a difference but I dwelled on the fact that I missed some putts on those last two I should have made and that is the only difference. I also gave credit to the fact that I had a great time playing, possibly the most fun ever and of all the friendships that I had made. Around 7:30pm is when I found out I would miss a 6-for-1 playoff (6 girls for 1 spot). I was pretty devastated. I came into the week very confident. I had spent the previous week buckling down and working very hard to fine tune the scoring parts of my game – putting, wedges and long irons (because of the course’s length) not to mention the previous month working hard on my game as well. It was a good first USGA event and Alison’s dad made it a little better by saying he’d buy me a drink if I missed it. Ha. We spent the night watching the playoff and heading to Fleming’s Steakhouse for a celebration dinner. Good way to end the week.
August 5th, 2009
TRAVEL HOME
After eating at the club, paying my caddy and taking some pictures, I started home around 9:45am. At approximately 10am I was pulled over again. Ridiculous. The speed limit on the highway was 60mph. Who woulda thought?! After that I was drove 5 below, in my cruise-control-less car all the way home. It was a good drive home and I even maxed out at 490 miles for a tank of gas! My car is awesome. Got home around 10pm and my bed felt great, although the whole day I was playing the course in my head. When I passed Denver International Airport, there was a huge storm hitting Denver and I was on the outside of it. I snapped some pictures. I have never photographed lightning before. It is one of my favorite things to photograph now because you don't know what the picture is going to look like until it comes out. This was one of the better ones I got. Pretty sick.
I told the paper it was a dagger to the heart that I didn’t make it. I didn’t cry (many girls did) but I couldn’t have been more disappointed. On the same level, I was competing at the top level of amateurs. The best 150 girls in the country were here and I was T76th. It was a great accent to my amateur career. I made note yesterday that I wasn’t nervous. I believe a person gets nervous because they don't believe they should be playing at that certain level. I know I have felt like that in previous national competitions. This past week, I didn’t feel that. I felt like I belonged and that I was at the right level. The highest. It was a monumental week for my game (I have kept it below 78 all summer, which I have never done…ever) and my mental game. I am home with so much learned in St. Louis. I couldn’t have spent the week better if I tried.....well, yeah I could have won but I guess this will suffice. :)
Thanks for following! The support is forever appreciated!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 2
Today was a little better. My front nine (the back nine) where I played well yesterday, wasn't as good, but finished birdie-birdie-par. Made three 1-putts to stay 2-over for that nine. I chipped it to 10' on #16, then hit a 5 iron 185 on #17 to 3' and made an 18' on #18 to get some momentum into the back (the real front). Made a 45' on #2 to stay at 2 over then played pretty steady until the last two holes. On my 18th, I hit into the opposite fairway and had a clear shot to the green. It came to rest in the sand and I had a brilliant shot out of it to about 4' but I missed the putt. Overall it was good. If I would have not bogeyed those last two, 74 would have been pretty solid and I wouldn't really have to worry about staying at the course to avoid any playoffs. But I'm chillin with my Australian "mate" and we're about to watch Across the Universe. Gotta keep an eye on the scoreboard. I am T110th right now but there are about 50 people that still have to tee off, or have but just don't have scores updated.
I believe some weather is coming in, at least some wind (hopefully). Still having a blast though! I hung out with Tiger Wood's niece and an LPGA pro's sister last night so I am in great company and enjoying myself to the max!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Update from St. Louis

The last three days have been incredible! Filled with amazing food from Old Warson Country Club to meeting USGA officials who have officiated numerous US Opens, both men and women and being in the presence of past USGA Champions. It has been awesome!! I have met people from all over the world and made some new friends!
I am just killing time now, waiting for my tee time at 1:25pm. I believe they are doing live scoring on the US Women's Amateur website. I still have an hour before I leave for the course.
I am staying with a host family about 10 minutes away from the course and it is such a great experience. A lot better than staying in a hotel!
Anyway, pray the weather holds off (it poured our first practice round and they are calling for 70% chance at 1pm) and the putts fall! It is a great course!! I have been blogging on my computer in my room (my family doesn't have wireless) so I will post all of that when I'm home. Thanks for following and I hope you get to all week long!