US Amateur Qualifier - New York

July 14 - U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Trump National Golf Club Westchester - Briarcliff Manor, NY
Par 72 - 7,291 yards
Score - 80 (T44 of 83)

Typically I would not travel far for a qualifier but when I saw the opportunity to play Trump National I decided to make a mini trip (3 hour drive).  I packed the bags, booked a Holiday Inn in Mt. Kisco, NY, enjoyed a Kobe steak at the Village Social Kitchen & Bar (excellent restaurant), and went cold turkey to a course with 154 slope and 78 rating!

I reserved a Trump caddy named Ricky from Miami.  When I told him I never played the course, he looked at me like your "F*$*@?."  Then he gave me a lesson on the greens, dropping balls in the best spots for me to learn pace and said we will get you around.  Well, I came out smashing with par, birdie, par, par, and par.  This course had every look off tees and approaches to greens; streams, ponds, major bunkers, ravines, out of bounds, and tree lined bowling alleys.

After a strong start, the rest of my round was up and down.  I reached the 14th tee at +3, a number that would get me to the afternoon for sure.  My tee shot was hit down the right tree line, along scattered trees, rough, and a drain, and we never found the ball! (caddy thinks it went down the major drain hole haha).  I re-teed and made a double.  That was the end of me.  I shot 80 and missed the second 18 holes by 3 shots.

Taking a pro caddy was a huge plus because I never had to read a putt (thankfully because the greens were very tricky) and I didn't lift a finger on a range finder, borrowed the caddy's rain jacket, received accurate yardage adjustments on elevation changes, and spot on recommendation on what side of the hole to be on when approaching greens.  If you are swinging well, this is a major advantage.  My driver got erratic on the back nine which cost me any of this advantage.  I played with 2 high schoolers, including C. Daly who was coming to Winchester the following week for the NE Amateur.

It was a superb day (mostly sunny and hot, a 15 minute hard rain on back nine) and experience.  On the long drive home I realized it was somewhat fortunate I didn't make the cut because Round 2 got postponed due to rain until the next day and I have to work!

Treat yourself to a mini golf trip,
Kurt