Crazy Start to the Year

I am not thrilled to report that I made four bogeys and a double bogey today in my first round of the year, but I am quite excited about the fact that I also made seven birdies and an eagle. I have never believed in myself more than I did today, and I turned what was an awful start into a great 3-under-par opening round of 69.

After a par on the easy first hole on the Cupp Course, I went bogey, double-bogey, bogey on the next three holes to stand at 4 over par through four holes. I know that at this time last year, I would have been quite distraught by my start, but I honestly wasn't too bothered by it today, and I was determined to stay positive and play well. On the par-five sixth hole, I bombed a drive and hit a great hybrid from 224 yards to a green protected by a pond and made the 12-foot putt for eagle. I quickly gave one of those shots back with a disappointing bogey at the 7th hole but went on a tear starting at the par-four 9th. From the 9th hole through the 17th, I made seven birdies and two pars. During that stretch, I hit the ball fairly well and was definitely on with my wedges and putter. Unfortunately, I hit a very sloppy iron shot into a pond short of the 18th green from just 134 yards away in the middle of the fairway. Again, I just continued to believe in myself and calmly got up-and-down from 50 yards for my bogey. I made a lot of mistakes today, but my moments of good outshone the bad. I felt relaxed, confident, and happy all day, and the results followed my attitude.

I tee it up at 8:00 a.m. in tomorrow's second round, and I expect more good play without many of the mistakes of round 1. I know it will be fun again. Check back here for some good news in the evening.