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Saturday, 27 February 2010
The USGA decided to put a regulation on the size of the grooves in irons starting 2010 for professionals. Of course my grooves were illegal and I was forced to get a new set of irons. I thought, no problem, Im sure Callaway will make the same set I had with the new grooves, right? Wrong!! They are not making my FT irons. So I tried all the lastest and greatest technology with my same shaft....nothing was really working. Its difficult to replace a set that I loved sooo much - best irons I ever had - Callaway FT. I finally decided to see a club fitter/builder who was recommeded to me. Brandon Collier fit me with some fancy steel fiber shaft by Aerotech (this shaft seems to be working for Matt Kuchar). Then he built me a 5 star quality set of irons to fit my swing. He spined the shafts, frequency matched, blah blah blah...Im not sure exactly what he did, but I really like how they feel. Finally a legal set of irons to play with, I am very excited for the year to start...3 more weeks!!!!
Thursday, 21 January 2010
After a nice break from golf, I played in the Jim Dennis Memorial Pro-am in Mount Dora, FL. It was the 21st year for this event and I've probably played in half of them. Needless to say I have a lot of memories at this event. The most memorable being my win in 1994 and then in 2006 when I was unable to finish my swing because I was "asleep". Both of these incredible memories make me realize how far golf game and my health have come. I shot 67 this year to win by 6 shots...Yeah baby!! 67 was by far my best score ever on the tricky Mount Dora Golf Club and Ive never won anything by 6 shots. This should help my confidence going into the 2010 season. As for my health...No more sleeping on the job for me. It was a miracle that I even finished my round in 2006. Every shot I hit, my muscles became weak and then paralyzed because my brain was in REM sleep. It was exhausting trying to stay upright all day. These days are long gone. I may have an occasional cataplexy attack (paralysis), but it doesnt occur on the golf course. Tennis and Wii sword fighting are definite triggers if you want to see me fall like a wet noodle.
Tuesday, 08 December 2009
OH MY!!! WHAT A WEEK...soo long and exhausting...what a relief it is over...so excited that I now have exempt (category 11) status on the LPGA tour. Thanks to my great caddy and boyfriend, Jody. He guided me around those courses like a seeing eye dog. Although I do read my own putts. Also thanks to a terrific golf instructor - Dr. Jim Suttie. One year ago today I called Dr. Suttie and asked him to teach me. We started working together in Feb this year. Now Im back on the LPGA and we will work hard to get me lots of TV time in 2010.
Q-School Recap
1st round - WINDY WINDY but I striped that golf ball...pure ball striking...putts were not dropping...score 70
2nd round - solid round of golf 4 birdies and 2 bogies...could have putted better again...score 70
3rd round - OMG Im sick...how am I going to make it 18 holes??? After 4 holes of play I was saved by a 43 hour rain delay...finished 14 holes on a muddy, wet, long golf course but at least I felt better...score 76
4th round - LONG DAY...had to play 32 holes on this day...but the more I played the better I did...my putts were falling...score 67
5th round - very conservative play...one birdie on the first hole and one bogey on the third hole...15 consecutive pars...putted very well to make these pars!!!!! score 72 T-5th place and I am now full time on the LPGA Tour...YIPPEE!!!.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Ive been down in Naples, FL practicing and getting lessons from Dr. Jim Suttie. I need to be ready to play for LPGA Qualifying school the first week of December. Since I am 155 on the LPGA money list, I was not planning on playing in the Tour's Championship. Surprise, Surprise...my name kept moving up that alternate list. On Monday morning, the week of the tournament, I am now in the field. This is a great opportunity, so I traveled to Houston, TX to compete. Unfortunately I did not play as well as I imagined and my extremely WINDY tee-time did not help the situation either. The good news is that I finally feel comfortable out there on the LPGA - Ive been waiting far too many years for that. Better late that never.
LPGA Qualifying is right around the corner. I will remember my brilliant moments, and focus on my short game a lot this week. Have a great Turkey Day.
Friday, 09 October 2009
Moved up 179 spots in the world ranking this week. Totally amazing!! I played in the LPGA event this week in Prattville, AL and finished 44th. Sure, it could have been better, but I am very happy with the outcome. It really gives my confidence in what I am working on and in my abilities. Thanks to Dr. Jim Suttie, every part of my game has shown improvements. My 67 on Saturday was a lot of fun. Ended the round with a birdie on 18 to top off a solid round of golf that could have been even better (well I suppose every round could always be better...that's what makes golf so unique).
After giving a ton of autographs in AL, one showed up on ebay. So funny...check it out.
Saturday, 03 October 2009
I flew to the LPGA event in Danville, CA to Monday Qualify. I shot 71 in the qualifer and lost in a two hole play off. It was disappointing because I was ready to play in this event. The good news is that I enjoyed a week with great people. We played golf, went to San Francisco, ate incredible food, and had a lot of laughs. Since Jody was caddying for Kim Hall in the tournament, we spent the week together as well. Jody and I went to Alcatraz, the jail off the shores of San Fransicso (now closed). Very cool to see how the prisoners lived. Very small cells and very ccccold. We actually met a prisoner who served in Alcatraz for 4 years. He was a jerk. If you asked him a question, he said..."it's in my book". I asked him to sign my brochure...he frowned and shook his head side to side. Oh well. It was still exciting.
 
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Albany, NY was the last Duramed Futures Tour event in 2009. A win could get me in the top 10 to gain better position on the LPGA for 2010. Since my last two finishes were T-8 and T10th I was confident in my chances to win. For this reason, I had to miss my cousins wedding. Soo sad to miss this once in a lifetime occasion. A pro golfers crazy lifestyle sometimes requires sacrifices. Over the years these sacrifices have been well worth my rewards on the golf circuit. My 24th place finish was a bit disappointing, but still a terrific recovery after making a Quad (8) on my ninth hole. 75,71,68... Albany hosted a very nice event and the weather was perfect for the first time in many weeks.
I finished 32 on the money list with a stroke average of 72.74...nearly one & a half shots better than last year. Ive learned sooo much about my game - putting, swing, chipping, and playing. Dr. Jim Suttie, my golf instructor, is known for teaching the golf swing. In the 7 months I worked with Doc, I have learned that his talents go far beyond analyzing and fixing the long game. "Thanks for helping my game and not teaching me a method". I am confident that I am on the right track and its only a matter of time.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
PA was our 6th event in a row. Long week...amazing that we were able to get three rounds in. Rain and darkness led us to finally finish the event on Monday. My first Monday finish in a professional event since 1997. This is such an unusual occurence that all the players were in a head spin...changing flights etc. I had to find a replacement for an outing in Milwaukee as well as change my flight. Since this was going to cost me a ton of $$, I was tempted to withdraw...but just couldn't bring myself to do so.
We started the 3rd round late afternoon on Sunday. Jody had to leave me on the 2nd hole to catch his flight. He said "birdie this hole for me would ya please?!" I did and 3 more until they blew the horn for darkness. I left the course very happy, driving on the weavy, two-lane, tree-lined, 35-45mph road....then WHAM, THUNK....a dog came flying out in the road right into the front end of my car. I turned around, got out of the car apologizing and uncontrollably crying (ya know Im like the biggest dog lover around). The owners said it wasnt my fault...yada yada yada...the dog is now in doggie heaven. Soo sad.
The week ended with an 8th place finish. 74-70-68. Very exhausting...emotionally and physically.
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