Path to Professional Golf: September 9th 2015 Update

Four months into the full-time pursuit of professional golf and I’m still enjoying the daily challenges on the course.  I’ve mentioned this before, but sticking to the process and working to get better each day remain at the forefront of my near-term goals.

I had four events in August, where I was fortunate enough to play some great courses. I felt like I didn’t score as well as I played in the rounds, but over the past week my game has come together nicely and I was able to post two solid rounds in the 60s (at my home club) to kick off September.

As we enter the fall, I’ll continue to play in some events and focus on strengthening a few parts of my game that need to be elevated before turning professional. I’m looking forward to a few weeks home in Charlotte before hitting the road for events in late September.

August Results

1) Charlotte City Amateur – This year’s tournament was highlighted by a great lineup of courses with round one play hosted by Cedarwood CC, round two by Myers Park CC, and the final round by Charlotte CC.

It was a mixed bag for me during the three day event.  Round one was highlighted by 15 greens in regulation, but lackluster putting.  My score of 72 advance me to round two, where solid scrambling and putting helped me salvage a 73.

My two day total fell right on the cut line, and given only 24 players make the final day, I went into a 5-for-1 spot playoff.  I drained a 15-footer on hole one to match one other player who had a tap-in birdie.  The two of us moved onto the second hole, and after smacking a 320 yard drive down the middle, a wedge onto the green and two putts was enough to clinch the final spot for day three play.

After a good start on day three, the wheels feel off and the combo of poor balls striking and an uncommon inability to convert putts inside 10 feet resulted in my worst score of the year, 81.  Despite that round, I learned a lot from the round and ultimately realized we all have those off days.  I took away the positive of finishing in the top 24. Scores: 72-73-81 (24th)

2) GPro Tour: TPC Piper Glen – Playing the course under par in most of my prior rounds at Piper Glen, I was excited to get back to the course.  It’s a layout I enjoy and one you can go-low on with solid play.  I played reasonably well during the two day event, but didn’t get much out of either round.  Scores: 75-75

3) Carolinas Open – Comprised primarily of club professionals and amateurs, this year’s tournament was held at Bryan Park Golf Club.  I struggled during round one, played better in round two, but ultimately didn’t produce the scores I needed.  Scores: 77-76.  To read more about the golf course and my rounds, check out the blog post – A Greensboro Gem: Bryan Park Golf Club

4) U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier – Knowing an under par round would be needed to claim one of the four spots to advance to the Championship held in October, I put together a game plan accordingly.  My round started with a few bad swings and bad breaks that put me ‘behind the eight ball,’ and I was never able to get it going in the right direction on the back.  Score: 80

I will be maintaining my Amateur status in September.