RESULTS
Cadott CVGA - 72 - T-2nd ($184)
South Dakota State Open - 76-68-69 - T-50th?
Westward Ho CC Pro-Am - 73 - T-30th?
Waterloo Open - 69-68 - T-20th ($599.22)
Marshall Dakotas Event - 70-73 - MC
Minnesota State Open - 69-68-73 - T-4th ($3125)
Wisconsin State Open Qualifier - 71 - 2nd (qualified)
Yankton Dakotas Event - 77 - (did not qualify)
Money Won: $3908.22
Stroke Average: 71.14
+/- Par: -10
Cummulative +/- Par: +5
Cummulative Stroke Avg: 71.78
Summer of Neil continued in July. From Memorial Day through July there are about 65 days. I estimate that I played 75 rounds in those 65 days. Most weekdays I would wake up before sunrise and drive from Minneapolis to River Falls. My tee time was usually 7:30 and Travis Meyer and Andy Rauscher were usually there to join me. The three of us had some great battles on the course, but we always finished by 11:00 am. I didn't want to drive back to Minneapolis so I always tried to find a second match, whether another one at River Falls or at Troy Burne. Lots of times I would finish the second round by 4 and drive home during rush hour. That means most people were working in an office while I was playing one or two rounds of golf. That's a fun day of work.
My tournaments throughout July were successful. I played very consistent golf throughout the entire month. Round 1 at the South Dakota State Open and the qualifying round for the Dakotas Tour event in Yankton were my two worst rounds of the year.
Round one at SD State Open was filled with too much apprehension. I had played so well for a month, but all of those confident thoughts disappeared during the round. My group had two amateurs and it was embarrassing to shoot 76 in front of the amateurs. The next day I redeemed myself and shot a 68. After being embarrassed one day, I felt great after day 2.
The other bad round of July came at the very end. I shot a 77 down in Yankton, SD and fell way short of qualify for the event. I hate to use excuses, but this qualifier was on a Tuesday. The weekend before I played in the Minnesota State Open. After the State Open I drove up to Hayward, WI and qualified for the WI State Open on Monday. Monday afternoon I drove from Hayward to Yankton. That meant from 5pm on Sunday to 9pm Monday I was driving for 11 hours, sleeping for 7, playing golf for 6, and probably eating/relaxing for the remaining 4. I was exhausted in Yankton and after a bad start on the first few holes, I didn't have the energy to recover.
Very disapointing that I failed to qualify for that Yankton event. Really bad news was that after my round I had to drive home to Minneapolis. I was already upset about my bad round, already exhausted, but I had a 6 hour drive home to stay awake for. I got home by 6:30 pm and immediately went to bed. I woke up Wednesday morning around 9am. From Sunday night until Tuesday night I drove approximately 1200 miles and played golf in northern Wisconsin and southern South Dakota. I enjoyed playing all over, but don't like the long travel affecting how I play.
Moving onto the positive rounds for July I have to start with the Minnesota State Open. Going into the weekend I was very excited to play Bunker Hills. It is one of my favorite public courses in the Twin Cities area. I've played it for conference championships and several rounds with my dad. I shot a 3-under par 69 on Friday, which was tied for first. On Saturday morning I was asked to do a radio interview on KFAN. It was my first radio interview and while the questions were that inquisitive, I found a way to make the interview fun. My roommate bet me $20 that I couldn't mention the Phil Segner Memorial Golf Tournament on air. The tough thing about that tournament is that it doesn't exist; in fact, one of my roommates is Phil Segner. I told "Common Man" that when I was 8, the very first tournament I played was the Phil Segner Memorial Golf Tournament.
On day two of the State Open I improved and shot a 4-under 68. That put me in the last group with Dave Tentis and Cane Hanson. Both Dave and Cane blasted the ball way by me on the final day. Both Dave and Cane had caddies carrying their bags. I was definitely an underdog on the final day. I finished tied for 4th because I couldn't hit my approach shots close enough to the hole. Trying to make 25-30 foot birdie putts all day was too much to hope for. Despite struggling for most of the final round, I made a long putt on #18 to tie Tentis and earn an extra $800.
One more highlight of the Minnesota State Open was autographing some golf balls for my cousins. They came out on the final day to watch and I gave each of them a ball that I used during the tournament.
My other good tournament was the Waterloo Open. This tournament has a cut after one day. 170 pros play one round and it gets cut down to the low 60 scores. I figured I would have to shoot 69 to make the cut and after bogeying the first two holes I knew I had some work to do. I birdied the par 5 5th hole and then got another one on the par 3 9th. I eagled the par 5 12th and then birdied the par 5 16th. As soon as I tapped in on #18 for a 69 I safely assumed I would make the cut because the wind was really starting to swirl. Sure enough the afternoon scores were higher and 70 was the cut. On day two I made up some ground with a 4-under 68. I had some wonderful up and down saves during this round and some near miraculous shots behind trees.
Neil
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Monthly Review: JUNE
RESULTS
Spring Valley CVGA – 73 – T-4th ($161)
Chippewa Falls CVGA – 71 – T-5th ($89)
MN Nationwide Qualifier – 72 – DNQ
Clifton Highlands CVGA – 68 – 1st ($248)
Eau Claire CVGA – 68-68 – 1st ($286)
MN State Open Qualifier – 70 – 1st
Money Won: $784
Stroke Average: 70.00
+/- Par: -9
Cummulative +/- Par: +15
Cummulative Stroke Avg: 72.4
June is a much more fun month to review than May. I didn't have to play in any severe winds and my game excelled in the perfect conditions. I played 7 competitive rounds in June and only one was over par (73 - +1 at Spring Valley).
Breaking down the month even further I will say that each round during June was better than the previous one. Spring Valley was a grind where a few timely up and downs saved the day. At Chippewa Falls I didn't play with a lot of desire and that produced several lazy shots. A few days later I tried to qualify for a Nationwide event, but was unsuccessful. I started the round off very well and found myself 2 under par through 11 holes, but I struggled on the last 7 holes and missed qualifying by 2 shots. I remember thinking after hole 11 that I needed to reach 4 under to make it. Admittedly, that thinking lead to forced shots and extra pressure.
I really wanted to qualify for a Nationwide event during 2007 and looking back on that day in June I know that was my chance. I've played Hastings CC numerous times and have always had success on it. A 69 would've made it and I was in perfect shape after 11 holes. Lots of tournament rounds or holes slip away during a summer, but this qualifier really slipped right out of my hand.
The rest of the month was a breeze. My swing found a repeatable rhythm that made things fun and successful. At Clifton Highlands I won by 3 shots and managed the golf course perfectly. I had a game plan to keep my ball below the hole and that made the difficult pin locations seem easy. At Eau Claire I wanted to play the first 27 holes well enough so I had a chance to win the tournament on the final nine. On day one I birdied the last 2 holes to get into the final group and after nine pars to open the 2nd round, I had a chance on the back nine. A birdie on #11 got me within 2 shots, but disaster struck on #13. My main opponent drove the ball under a tree and had to chip out. I was in the middle of the fairway, but hit my approach over the green. I made a double bogey and Eric Rolland got up and down from the fairway to save a par. Now with 6 holes to go I was down 4. I birdied the next two and Eric bogied 2 of the next 3. That meant with two holes to play I was tied. On #17, Eric made a chip from off the green to take a one shot lead. On the final hole I hit a driver off of the fairway and got my ball 30 yards short of the par 5 in two shots. My third shot was 8 feet below the hole and I made the putt to pull even with Eric. On the second playoff hole I hit an 8-iron to 3 feet and made the putt to win my second CVGA event in as many weeks.
The best feeling I had all month was in the playoff with Eric. The second hole was a par three. Several hours earlier I had hit an 8-iron to about 15 feet just right of the hole. Playing this hole a second time I knew 8-iron was a perfect club. All I had to do was get direction right. There wasn't a single thought about how to swing the club because I knew my swing it would take care of itself.
Another high moment of the month was the qualifier for the Minnesota State Open. I had never played Chaska Town Course before, but the course is right in front of you. After a fast start with 3 birdies in the first 7 holes I cruised the remaining holes and was the low qualifier. I drove the ball beautifully and nearly hit every fairway. My irons were firing at all pins. The only bad thing during the round was my putting. I had two three putts. I teed off in the first group and after posting a 2 under 70 I asked the official if I could go home. The low 14 scores qualified and he told me to stay close to the course and call in about 2 hours, just in case 14 players broke 70. I called 2 hours later and was still medalist by 4 shots.
I wanted to get this published on Monday, but forgot to finish it until Wednesday. I will be reviewing July sometime next week. I'll plan for next Wednesday, but I might be late.
Neil
Spring Valley CVGA – 73 – T-4th ($161)
Chippewa Falls CVGA – 71 – T-5th ($89)
MN Nationwide Qualifier – 72 – DNQ
Clifton Highlands CVGA – 68 – 1st ($248)
Eau Claire CVGA – 68-68 – 1st ($286)
MN State Open Qualifier – 70 – 1st
Money Won: $784
Stroke Average: 70.00
+/- Par: -9
Cummulative +/- Par: +15
Cummulative Stroke Avg: 72.4
June is a much more fun month to review than May. I didn't have to play in any severe winds and my game excelled in the perfect conditions. I played 7 competitive rounds in June and only one was over par (73 - +1 at Spring Valley).
Breaking down the month even further I will say that each round during June was better than the previous one. Spring Valley was a grind where a few timely up and downs saved the day. At Chippewa Falls I didn't play with a lot of desire and that produced several lazy shots. A few days later I tried to qualify for a Nationwide event, but was unsuccessful. I started the round off very well and found myself 2 under par through 11 holes, but I struggled on the last 7 holes and missed qualifying by 2 shots. I remember thinking after hole 11 that I needed to reach 4 under to make it. Admittedly, that thinking lead to forced shots and extra pressure.
I really wanted to qualify for a Nationwide event during 2007 and looking back on that day in June I know that was my chance. I've played Hastings CC numerous times and have always had success on it. A 69 would've made it and I was in perfect shape after 11 holes. Lots of tournament rounds or holes slip away during a summer, but this qualifier really slipped right out of my hand.
The rest of the month was a breeze. My swing found a repeatable rhythm that made things fun and successful. At Clifton Highlands I won by 3 shots and managed the golf course perfectly. I had a game plan to keep my ball below the hole and that made the difficult pin locations seem easy. At Eau Claire I wanted to play the first 27 holes well enough so I had a chance to win the tournament on the final nine. On day one I birdied the last 2 holes to get into the final group and after nine pars to open the 2nd round, I had a chance on the back nine. A birdie on #11 got me within 2 shots, but disaster struck on #13. My main opponent drove the ball under a tree and had to chip out. I was in the middle of the fairway, but hit my approach over the green. I made a double bogey and Eric Rolland got up and down from the fairway to save a par. Now with 6 holes to go I was down 4. I birdied the next two and Eric bogied 2 of the next 3. That meant with two holes to play I was tied. On #17, Eric made a chip from off the green to take a one shot lead. On the final hole I hit a driver off of the fairway and got my ball 30 yards short of the par 5 in two shots. My third shot was 8 feet below the hole and I made the putt to pull even with Eric. On the second playoff hole I hit an 8-iron to 3 feet and made the putt to win my second CVGA event in as many weeks.
The best feeling I had all month was in the playoff with Eric. The second hole was a par three. Several hours earlier I had hit an 8-iron to about 15 feet just right of the hole. Playing this hole a second time I knew 8-iron was a perfect club. All I had to do was get direction right. There wasn't a single thought about how to swing the club because I knew my swing it would take care of itself.
Another high moment of the month was the qualifier for the Minnesota State Open. I had never played Chaska Town Course before, but the course is right in front of you. After a fast start with 3 birdies in the first 7 holes I cruised the remaining holes and was the low qualifier. I drove the ball beautifully and nearly hit every fairway. My irons were firing at all pins. The only bad thing during the round was my putting. I had two three putts. I teed off in the first group and after posting a 2 under 70 I asked the official if I could go home. The low 14 scores qualified and he told me to stay close to the course and call in about 2 hours, just in case 14 players broke 70. I called 2 hours later and was still medalist by 4 shots.
I wanted to get this published on Monday, but forgot to finish it until Wednesday. I will be reviewing July sometime next week. I'll plan for next Wednesday, but I might be late.
Neil
Monday, January 07, 2008
Monthly Review: MAY
RESULTS:
Indian Hills Pro-am – 80
New Richmond CVGA – 78 – T-9th ($60)
St. Croix National CVGA – 72 – T-2nd ($164)
US Open Local Qualifier – 81
Bloomer CVGA – 67-35 – 2nd ($258)
Nationwide Tour Qualifier – 75 - DNQ
Money Won: $482
Stroke Average: 75.08
+/- Par: +24
It should be clear that my game was rusty during May. Scores varied from 67 to 81. I failed to qualify for a Nationwide event, but was able to make some money and gain some confidence during the CVGA events.
I played in a lot of different weather this month. The Indian Hills Pro-Am was chilly with a lot of wind and occasional showers. At New Richmond it was once again cool with a ton of wind. It was sunny with calm conditions for the St. Croix National CVGA. Then it was back to a lot of wind for the US Open Qualifier. The last two tournaments of the year brought good weather with very light winds. Basically I played well when the wind was calm and struggled when the wind was high.
During May I received a new driver that I used all year. This new driver was the best driver I've ever owned. I hit more fairways throughout the year than any other year. Several rounds were stress free because I wasn't chipping out of the woods and I wasn't taking a drop after hitting a drive into a lake.
I remember a wide range of thoughts throughout the month of May. After struggling at Indian Hills Pro-Am I was very dissapointed and worried that my swing would struggle like it did during 2006. During the round at New Richmond I was +6 through 6 holes and was just hoping to break 90. During the US Open Qualifier I hit some absolutely horrible shots and even missed a tap-in 14 inch putt. Those were the low points of the month.
At certain other times I felt very good about the progress I was making during the month. At St. Croix National I kept the ball on the golf course (thanks to the new driver) and that is the number 1 key to playing that course well. The Bloomer tournament was a big breakthrough for the month. I hit my irons really well that day and was in control of distance and direction with every iron. I did make one mistake that day; which was thinking I had the lead after 18 holes. I was the last group to finish and before starting my final 9 I thought I heard somebody say I was in the lead by a few shots. With that information I played the last 9 holes very conservative and without a sense of urgency. I failed to birdie a 250 yard par 4 as well as a 450 yard par 5. Once I finished the 27 holes I realized I was actually trailing by 2 shots before the final 9.
What I learned that day was to not trust an old man who mistakenly thought I was leading, but also to keep pushing for those birdies as if I'm way behind the leader. This lesson helped me in June with my two CVGA victories that month.
Next monday I will post about the month of June.
Neil
Indian Hills Pro-am – 80
New Richmond CVGA – 78 – T-9th ($60)
St. Croix National CVGA – 72 – T-2nd ($164)
US Open Local Qualifier – 81
Bloomer CVGA – 67-35 – 2nd ($258)
Nationwide Tour Qualifier – 75 - DNQ
Money Won: $482
Stroke Average: 75.08
+/- Par: +24
It should be clear that my game was rusty during May. Scores varied from 67 to 81. I failed to qualify for a Nationwide event, but was able to make some money and gain some confidence during the CVGA events.
I played in a lot of different weather this month. The Indian Hills Pro-Am was chilly with a lot of wind and occasional showers. At New Richmond it was once again cool with a ton of wind. It was sunny with calm conditions for the St. Croix National CVGA. Then it was back to a lot of wind for the US Open Qualifier. The last two tournaments of the year brought good weather with very light winds. Basically I played well when the wind was calm and struggled when the wind was high.
During May I received a new driver that I used all year. This new driver was the best driver I've ever owned. I hit more fairways throughout the year than any other year. Several rounds were stress free because I wasn't chipping out of the woods and I wasn't taking a drop after hitting a drive into a lake.
I remember a wide range of thoughts throughout the month of May. After struggling at Indian Hills Pro-Am I was very dissapointed and worried that my swing would struggle like it did during 2006. During the round at New Richmond I was +6 through 6 holes and was just hoping to break 90. During the US Open Qualifier I hit some absolutely horrible shots and even missed a tap-in 14 inch putt. Those were the low points of the month.
At certain other times I felt very good about the progress I was making during the month. At St. Croix National I kept the ball on the golf course (thanks to the new driver) and that is the number 1 key to playing that course well. The Bloomer tournament was a big breakthrough for the month. I hit my irons really well that day and was in control of distance and direction with every iron. I did make one mistake that day; which was thinking I had the lead after 18 holes. I was the last group to finish and before starting my final 9 I thought I heard somebody say I was in the lead by a few shots. With that information I played the last 9 holes very conservative and without a sense of urgency. I failed to birdie a 250 yard par 4 as well as a 450 yard par 5. Once I finished the 27 holes I realized I was actually trailing by 2 shots before the final 9.
What I learned that day was to not trust an old man who mistakenly thought I was leading, but also to keep pushing for those birdies as if I'm way behind the leader. This lesson helped me in June with my two CVGA victories that month.
Next monday I will post about the month of June.
Neil
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
YEAR IN REVIEW
Now that my 2007 season is done I figure it’s time to reminisce and summarize how I think the year went. Over the next few weeks, I’ll update new posts that focus on one month at a time. After discussing each month, I’ll move onto each tour that I played on. You’ll find a big difference in my results on the CVGA versus the Dakotas Tour.
Keep checking for updates. Happy New Year
Neil
Keep checking for updates. Happy New Year
Neil
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