September 25 and 26 - Well, well, the time had come to compete in the 2010 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship at Dedham Golf and Polo Club. I waited one month to set foot on competing against the best mid-amateurs in Massachusetts. I felt great about my chances in the prior week, then, confidence began to dwindle in the days before due to uncomfortable swing thoughts. Its like taking a big exam. On the days before, you don't want to cram everything in or exercise your mind trying to re-learn everything. My success in the CFA program was a result of my ability to trust the knowledge I had built over my study period and let myself share that knowledge through the exam. I've yet to apply this to my golf preparation. This time I got tense over multiple swing thoughts and lack of comfort with alignment. I didn't let my preparation come through on the golf course like I did on my CFA exams. My alignment may have been off a bit, but I put too much attention on it, making it a big issue for me come tournament day. On exam day, I didn't know every subject in and out, but I knew I had the tools to make the best of it and there was nothing stopping me from success.
My tension came through in my first round as I rarely allowed my good golf swing to come through. My tee shots were going left and right, my irons felt awkward, and my putting was mediocre at best. I shot 84, including 4 double bogeys and 1 triple bogey. I had 4 three putts. Only 1 birdie. The conditions were fair, overcast skies and temperatures in the 60s. Wind was light. The most interesting and embarrassing hole was the par-3 12th hole, my third hole. I was hitting an 8-iron off the tee and proceeded to hit a tree overhanging the tee box about 20 yards ahead of me. The ball was re-directed left into the woods near a large oak tree. I was left with a blocked out 105 yard shot from the woods on a 150 yard hole. I made a great up and down from short of the green to make 4. However, I don't think I ever recovered from the embarrassment. Come to find out (after the tournament), my boss at work (a member at Dedham) said he hits the tree over half the time on that tee shot and has been pushing to cut it down. Never get caught up in a past golf shot! You are only as good as your next shot! Dummy.
On Day 2, I had a major turnaround and proud of my ability to bounce back. Yes there is some relaxation of tension after putting myself in a hole. At the same time, my own expectations I put on myself is what yields the most pressure. I did not want to leave this event without putting up a better performance. I shot 71 with 3 birdies and no double bogeys. I hit 15 greens, drove the ball well, and was confident in my swings. Still had 3 three putts.
My improvement came from getting to the left side of my swing more aggressively. When you have tension, its difficult to get through to your left side in a free flowing release. I did that once I committed to my alignment and trusted my envisioned shot-line. Both days I cleared the 2nd hole's water hazard with a 3-wood. I didn't see one other player go for that. Despite the common belief of this play being too aggressive, I didn't feel that way. I went with what I felt most comfortable with and believed this play was the higher percentage shot for me, rather than hitting a hard 4-iron or laying off a hybrid. The hazard was 225 yards away. This is something for me to build on! Shot of the day was on the par-3 14th, playing 186. I stuck a 6-iron to 2-feet and sank the birdie. The ball strike was pure and the ball flight never left the flagstick.
Both days my Dad caddied for me. As always, its most special having him with me. We rise and fall together, which can be a disadvantage from a player-caddie standpoint. Nothing is sweeter than sharing success with my family. We optioned for a cart on Day 2 due to threatening rain forecast. Day 2 weather ended up okay for my morning wave, a few quick periods of rain; there was high winds (hit a 5-iron on the same par-3 I hit the tree on in round 1).
Enjoyed a great celebratory early dinner at Cheesecake Factory in the Atrium Mall with my Dad. We also watched some of the marquee amateurs Frank Vana, John Hadges, and Brian Higgins play a few holes. Great golf course and tournament. I missed the cut by 5 shots.
My playing partners were Michael Christian from Wampatuck and Michael Miele from Meadow Brook. Good guys.
I'm confident I'll be back next year and I will be in contention in the future.
Mistakes will happen, the key is to learn from there. Next up, Norfolk Four Ball!!
Ciao,
Kurt
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