Ready to Report on Last Week; Pumped Moving Forward

For the first time in my professional golf career, I was too disappointed to write anything positive on my blog last Thursday evening. Despite feeling great about the way I was playing and having a lot of confidence, I got uncomfortable and tense in some key spots during the second round of last week's tournament and suffered a second-round score of two-over-par 74 to fall just outside of the cutline. After a great weekend of practice, I can look back on it now and see that my physical skills were actually pretty sharp in last week's tournament and be encouraged by that. In all reality, I executed about 90% of my shots well last week, but I made a few major errors and got a little bit too uptight at some inopportune times and those mistakes cost me. I sound like a broken record with this, but I really do need to relax and just go enjoy myself during these tournament rounds. I honestly feel like I'm playing the best golf of my life right now, and instead of letting that fuel my confidence, I am using it to put more pressure on myself. This past week was an eye-opener that has finally let me see for certain that I am trying too hard to force success on the golf course rather than just enjoying myself and letting it happen. I had a great three days of practice over the weekend and am very excited to keep moving forward.

After my second round was over last Thursday, I was determined that I would not waste any time sulking despite my disappointment. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, I went out for a good practice session after my round and that set the tone for a very solid weekend. I practiced at Pine Needles on Thursday and Friday and then spent the weekend with some friends in Charlotte. During that time, I had some great practice sessions and workouts and was able to complete all of my process goals (+ a few extras) for the week. I also had some really good matches on Saturday and Sunday in Charlotte. I really enjoyed myself on the course over the weekend, and the results showed it. My game looked and felt great! I need to take the attitude that I'm just beatin' up on my buddies to tournament rounds with me. I love to play golf, and I especially love to play tournament golf. I am going to have fun and smile every time I tee it up in tournament play from now on.

I will be taking this week off from competition because my college roommate for three years and one of my closest friends is getting married in St. Louis, MO. I missed another of my best friend's wedding last spring to play an event, and I have regretted it. As much as I want to play in this week's tournament, I know that being in my friend's wedding is the right choice, and I will enjoy my short trip to St. Louis this week. With that said, this will be one of my most challenging weeks of practice. It is a non-tournament week which means that my process goals are fairly laborious, but I am determined to get them done. I have three full days in Tennessee before heading to the midwest on Thursday. I will also be able to sneak in some practice in St. Louis on Friday/Saturday. I will have a great week of work, and will be even more ready to go when next week rolls around. The Egolf Tour plays it's first shorter, 54-hole event of the year next week just north of Charlotte at a course called River Run. My preparation this week combined with a new and improved attitude will have me ready to go!

The golf season is really about to start flowing here soon. It is a very exciting time, and I'm pumped to have a new perspective and to have my game in such great shape. Obviously the year is off to a slower start than I had hoped, but I am not concerned. I am going to have a great week of work this week and then hit the tournament trail with a big smile on my face next week and get my 2012 rolling! Keep it here for updates along the way. Thank you very much for following!