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