May 28 - I had the NEPGA Pro-Am Championship marked on my calendar since winning the Lexington club championship last July. Its a 36-hole scratch event at Pinehills GC, played with my golf pro Kevin Wilczewski. We competed against 80 other two-man teams on the Jones and Nicklaus courses in one day. A full 12-hour day! The weather was absolutely amazing, mid-70s and sunny almost all day. The late afternoon cooled off and the wind picked most of the second round. Our playing partners were Bob Miller, PGA professional at Golf Club at Yarmouthport and his amateur partner Steve Mathias. We couldn't have asked for two nicer guys to play with. Mr. Miller made the putting look easy and Steve was strong in the bunker. It was enjoyable to watch how they made their way around the courses.
Something about playing with the pros lifts up my confidence and game. Maybe its knowing I have a professional backing me up as my partner. Maybe its the belief of lower expectations as the amateur. Maybe its the challenge of beating a professional. Maybe its the influence of watching a professional's focus and grace playing the game. I think its all of these factors.
It proved to work out again. I played probably my best golf of the year and maybe in multiple years. My irons were landing around the pins all day. My driver was splitting the fairways. I made 5 birdies and an eagle. I made multiple putts over 15 feet and really was in control of my golf ball. My wedges from awkward distance for me, 100-120 yards, were smooth and accurate. These type of rounds I want to bottle up the feeling, focus, and tempo and re-create it every time. It certainly helped having a very well manicured golf course to move around, especially the greens. They were rolling perfect.
Kevin and I started off well with good chances on the first four holes and left many free birdie runs short! Can't do that! We did make birdie on the par-5 third. Kevin made a 15 foot birdie putt and I had a free run for eagle from just inside 15 feet and left in inches short! We had consecutive bogeys later in the front nine and then went a tear on the back nine shooting 4 under 32. After lunch, we headed to the Nicklaus off #10. Man its a long ride, 10 minutes, to get to that tee! And very easy to get lost! Give yourself plenty of time to make your starting time. When we tee'd off, my body and mind were messed up. Not being used to playing 2 tournament rounds in one day, I felt an uphill battle to keep my focus and good swing going. I managed three good pars on the front, otherwise I struggled to stay sharp. Kevin came through big on this stretch to keep us at +1 for the front nine. On the back, I got the second wind Kevin and I talked about (he said that usually happens over this many holes). I just missed birdie on 3, birdied 4, missed a 5 foot birdie on 5, and eagled the par-5 6th with a 6-iron to 10 feet. We closed with a 3 under 33 on the final nine.
69-70 = 139; 5 under total which tied us for 14th place and in the money. The winning total was 11 under by Pinehills Golf Club.
Overall, a very memorable day. Thanks to Kevin for good play and for entering this tournament. Thanks to my playing partners for great company. And thanks to Coach Mickey Herron for being the starter on #1 Jones at 750am. A total surprise!! Glad I hit it down the middle because he made me extra nervous!
Some of my keys to good swings were a quiet lower body, trust in my setup, keeping the chest down through impact, and a slow takeaway. Most of all was great focus, perseverance, and confidence.
Looking forward to more play.
Weather is warming up!
To good greens,
Kurt
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