What best describes my round with the PGA guys this morning...
Well, that would imply that I got off the ground before I crashed and burned. Maybe something more like this:
Either way, you get the picture.
It was a great experience. I have never gone toe to toe with a PGA pro, don't know if I ever will again, but it is truly remarkable how good they are on the course. Michael Letzig is just so pure from 150 yards and in. His driving, heck, I don't think he missed a fairway. On one par 4, he stepped off a chip shot at 52 yards, wanting to land it right at 50 yards. His pitch mark where his ball landed was 2 inches from his target spot. The ball didn't spin as much but he still made his 4 footer for birdie. Oh, this was after his typical 330+ yard drive. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! And to think he was fighting just to play in the Shell Houston Open.
I am now a fan of Letzig.
Numerical Summary for the Round:
0 - penalty shots incurred during the round. Don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
20 - feet from the pin after my tee shot on the 17th hole, a 321 yard par 4. Letzig, after seeing this great shot, offered me a thousand bucks to trade shots. I don't think he was kidding as he was right on the cut line shooting a 66. I whiffed the eagle putt but made birdie.
80 - dollars spent on my new Lululemon golf pants for the round. I may have finished near the bottom of the leaderboard, but by golly, I was going to look dang good! By the way, those Lulus were the BEST golf pant I have ever worn. Hands down.
80 + 1 - my score for the day. Humbling, embarassing, disappointing...you get it. However, I didn't quit and I turned in my score card. It's days like this where I need to just suck it up and take my medicine.
I tee off at 7:45am. We will be the third group off which is a perfect position to be in. Go out when the weather isn't a factor, post a low score and then watch the others get beat up by the heat and wind. You can track the scores HERE.
Mr. Axley is a fellow lefty and was the poster child for one of my favorite golf clothing lines, Sligo. He has since moved on to another clothing company (SubSeventy, I believe) but this is what he use to sport on the course:
Cool story about Mr. Letzig...2 years ago at the Shell Houston Open, I had media credentials so I was able to walk inside the ropes with the players. I was on the 18th tee box waiting for Mr. Letzig to hit when he stopped to clean his shoes. He looked at his caddy and said: 'You got to look good walking down the 18th fairway'. He then proceeded to hit it straight down the middle.
I think I'm at somewhat of an advantage for the round because there is no pressure for me to succeed. So what if I play bad. I am just going to go out there, hit as many greens as I can and pray the putter catches fire.
To summarize: I am 18 holes away from the PGA Tour.
Numerical Summary for the weekend:
50- minutes spent watching my nephew play tee-ball at the local YMCA. It was a league for a bunch of 3 and 4 year-olds. It was pretty funny watching the circus and the kids making up their own rules as they ran from 1st to 3rd to 2nd.
84- temperature for Houston yesterday. Why did I mention this? Oh, because I was in a suit. At an outdoor wedding. With no breeze. At 5pm. Can you say sweat box?!
41- songs downloaded from this website. It's a bunch of normal songs remixed just enough to make them sound different. There are 98 songs all together in which about 90 are free to download. I have been listening to the new mixes all weekend. Just a little something to change it up on the iPod.
Yesterday, I played in the Pre-Qualifier for the Shell Houston Open. Last year was my first year to play in it and I didn't know what to expect. This year, no excuses. I have been pouring my heart into my game by focusing on overcoming obstacles, staying in the present and playing to my abilities.
The Pre-Qualifier is filled with mini-tour golfers, really good amateurs, and a few people who have no business playing. The top 50 (out of about 145) make it to the Monday qualifier with the Nationwide and PGA Tour guys not yet qualified for the Shell.
Last year, I found myself on the bubble by shooting a disappointing 76. I was on the right side of the cut line until the final group of the day knocked me out of the Top 50 and I was absolutely devastated. With all the stuff on and off the golf course, it took some time to recover. Needless to say, I picked myself up and continued to give God thanks for the talent he has given me.
Thursday's tee time was one of the first of the day, which is what most golfers prefer. The two other guys in my group were a mini-tour veteran and an assistant pro out at Redstone Golf Club. Very nice guys so that helped with the nerves. Too bad they couldn't calm my swing on the first 5 holes. It was army golf: left, right, left, right. Finally, I got the nerves, mind and swing in check and started rolling in some much needed birdies. I signed my scorecard for a 75, my stomach churned, emotions were running high but I didn't want to see where I stood...back to being on the bubble. Not again. Please Lord, not again. After the morning groups finished, I was sitting at T-26th. Slowly the afternoon guys finished up and I started dropping in the standings. Tied for 30th...then 32nd...then 37th. At one point, there were 36 guys still yet to finish and I was tied for 39th place. Doing the math I prepared for another kick in the stomach. My dad was watching scores updated online so I shut off the computer and went to dinner. The appetite was gone and then the phone rang at about 7:30pm...it was my dad...just calling to say that I made it...right on the cut line.
The relief I felt really is indescribable. The emotional roller coaster was finally over. Time to celebrate and give thanks to God. I have struggled with letting go of certain things in my life and this was a prime example of me worrying instead of giving it the big guy.
In order for me to advance to the Shell Houston Open, I need to place in the top 4 out of another 145 guys. A score of about 10 strokes less than yesterday will be required. Sure it seems like a long shot, which it is, but I will have no expectations about it and just go in excited to play with the big boys I see on TV.
Numerical Summary for the week:
15- congratulatory emails/phone calls/texts I received from various co-workers today after hearing I made the cut. Really meant a lot to know so many people were following. I better not let the fan club down!!
80- high temperature yesterday during the qualifier. We were required to wear pants. My goodness summer is going to be a hot one.
2.5- hours spent on the course after work each of the last few nights. Oh how I love daylight savings time!
Yesterday I took a mini road trip down to Lake Jackson, TX to play a course I really have grown to enjoy. If you are in the Houston area, it is well worth the 45 minute drive south on Highway 288. The Wilderness is another one of those outlying courses that totally removes you from the city life and just relieves any and all stress. The course is surrounded by a bird sanctuary and a bayou...I can only imagine how humid the course can get in the summer time.
The green fees are reasonable at $53 for weekend rates including cart (just mention online coupon). The course doesn't get a whole lot of play being in a small town so the course conditions, primarily the greens, have never disappointed this picky golfer. The fairways were coming back from their dormant state but still had great coverage. The layout of the course is pretty simple, but they make it difficult with an ample amount of trees, bunkers and water hazards.
Enough of the technical aspects, let's get on with the stories!!
The area is known for the outdoors...camping, fishing and hunting. Just so the golfers felt right at home, the carts were designed in camouflage.
I have no problem playing as a single and getting paired up with locals. Usually I get paired up with senior citizens or middle aged men. Today, however, I was paired up with two high school kids. They attended a private school there in Lake Jackson. As they struggled most of the round (but managed to hit the occasional good shot), I started to think of who they vaguely resemble. On the 13th hole, it hit me...I was playing with Chunk from The Goonies and the kid from Up!
As I mentioned earlier, the course is surrounded by a bird sanctuary. They are very adamant about golfers staying out. I get it, don't mess with the abnormally large black birds. However, as I went to 'relieve' myself on the course, I noticed this sign and quickly decided I no longer had the need to 'go'.Yea, that is an electrical fence around the course. I can only imagine how many inebriated male golfers have ignored that sign when draining the bladder. I even asked the kids I was paired with how much money it would take for them to touch the fence. They didn't bite. Oh well.
When I get tired of the same courses, I find it a nice change of pace when I fill up the gas tank and drive to the outskirts of civilization.
Numerical Summary for the Weekend:
14- hours of basketball watched since Thursday. I know that is probably a bit low as compared to previous years, but when your team isn't in the dance, you lose interest in a hurry.
8- number of organic fruit snacks I have consumed in my weekend of house sitting for my sister. I do love my nephew's taste in snacks. However, I need to get him on Fruit Roll-Ups.
This past weekend, I met up with some of my friends' friends here in Houston. They were from East Texas and I had met them at a wedding back in November. I didn't have the faintest of ideas as to what they had in mind...I was just told to answer the phone once they called.
Friday morning was spent on the golf course enjoying a free round at the Tournament course at The Woodlands Country Club (thanks Eric for the hook-up). The weather was absolutely perfect...so good that the guys I played with wanted to walk and carry. I hadn't hoofed it on a course in I don't know how long. If I do walk, I usually rent a push cart because there has been research done that even with a double strap bag, it still compresses the spine which is not good for the back. Needless to say, I was whipped after the round but knew I had a long night ahead of me.
Fast forward to 6pm and my sister called me to go eat an early dinner. Hey, I am always down for dinner...especially if I get to see family and the tab is picked up by the brother in law. We finished dinner around 7 so I went home to wait for instructions from the out-of-towners. I waited...and waited...and waited. Finally around 10pm, I got the first phone call which apparently was just to touch base (I think they called to see if I was still awake). The clock struck 11pm, the phone rang and I was out the door with a redbull in hand.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy going out just as much as the next person, but to start so late was something new to me. Oh, and the area of town I was to drive myself to was not my favorite: Washington St. It's the new up and coming area for Houston twenty somethings. I hadn't spent too much time on Washington because it just isn't my scene (more of an Upper Kirby, Midtown kind of guy) but I figured I would suck it up and just prepare myself for anything. I park in some random lot, pay the attendant $10 and little did I know, that would be the last time I would have my hearing.
I walked into Ei8ght and immediately was blown away by how many people had the same idea as these East Texans. The place was packed, the music was actually pretty decent and I was glad I picked up some cash at the ATM because the bar was uber-crowded. As I made my way to the back, I started making mental notes of the characters I encountered:
The Pack of Creepers. Usually a pack of 3-5 outcast males, probably employees of the Apple store and guaranteed to have an account with World of Warcraft. Sure, one of the guys probably heard of this place from his younger hip sister so this was their night on the town.
The Clothes Optional Girls. Do I really need to explain? Are you wearing lingerie or actual clothes? You know, my wandering eyes appreciate your choice of attire for the evening, but your attracting the wrong kind of attention.
**No Picture or Video here...This is a PG-13 blog**
The Cookie Cutter Guys. Jeans...check. Starched button up dress shirt with tiny animal embroidered on left chest...check. Boots/loafers...check. Metal alloy watch...check. College ring...check. Way to be original guys.
Jersey Shore Rejects. I do like the fake tan in early March. Your dance moves are a mix of fist pumping, full body convulsions and when all else fails, thrust the pelvic region as wildly as possible. I don't know where you bought your shirt, but it looks like you got ripped off because it looks a tad small and there is a huge ink spot that vaguely resembles an eagle or old English letters.
Bar Squatters. These people are ALWAYS at the bar and might as well set up camp. If you are a guy, you are making sure you know just about every girl has to walk your way. If you are a girl, you are a cheap skate and hoping some guy buys you a drink. Yea, I am on to you and your scheme.
I do enjoy people watching every time I go out on the town. With all of the diversity here in Houston, you are guaranteed to find some interesting characters. Every time I am out on the town, I always try to find a good story to share with friends and co-workers.
Numerical Summary
6 - days until my big qualifier I play in every year. It's always a long shot, but I do enjoy playing with some incredibly talented amateurs/pros.
4 - hours of sleep I managed to get last night. Darn you St. Paddy's Day and all your activities (more to come later on).
0 - productivity today as a result of said holiday. That, coupled with the NCAA tournament makes it very difficult to do much.
48 - dollars it cost to fill up my brother-in-law's mini cooper. You would think a car the size of a big mac box would have a small tank...not so much. And when premium is at $3.65, it doesn't take much to deplete the wallet. I am taking car of the car, house and dog (not in that order) this weekend while they go skiing.
This past weekend, I took the habitual drive back to Waco. The tasks at hand: Golf, ESPN GameDay and to see the new nephew. However, I was to meet my parents Friday afternoon at a golf course about 30 minutes southeast of Waco. I have heard of the course via my dad as he uses it for the young kids in his junior golf tournament. Expectations for the course were...well, non-existent as I was just happy to be out on the links. What greeted me as I pulled into the gravel parking lot will make for some great stories. Where to begin...
First off...where was I to park? It was all gravel, a few barriers here or there but I didn't know if I was parking in a drive way or an actual spot. Getting out of the car you don't hear any man-made noises; just the occasional cow letting us know he is fat and happy. You can see just about every hole on the 9-hole course. At the west end of the parking lot were tin sheds where the members kept their personal golf carts. After seeing some of the members' carts, I quickly realized it wasn't the color of the cart or seat covers that determined coolness, it was how many golf balls you could stash in your cart.
Walking into the pro shop/clubhouse/bar/restaurant/video poker/smoking/locker room, I knew I was in for a treat. We were greeted by Jackie, the do-it-all employee of this country club. She informed us that they do not accept credit cards but since we were guests, we could just mail her a check for the green fee. Never in this day in age would I have expected that. She gave us a coupon for 6 free beers, 2 golf cart keys and we were off.
Looks like my cart was sponsored by Coors Light
Apparently there was a driving range at the course but I never saw it. The greens were the size of a small bed room...but domed shape so the actual flat putting surface was equivalent to a king size bed. Stepping up on the first tee after sitting in the car for 2.5 hours didn't help the swing. Nonetheless, I found the fairway (or what looked like a fairway) and managed to par the first hole. I would hope so being a 305 yard par 4 with no trouble. Heck, there were only about 4 bunkers on the entire course.
On the second hole, I noticed something interesting. A cow pasture lined the right side of the fairway while the lake hugged the left side. If you hit your ball in the water, you were screwed, however if you managed to go right you could still retrieve your ball over the barb-wire fence thanks to these nifty....whatever they are.
As we putted out on the 4th hole, I looked back at #2 fairway and there must have been 6 or 7 golf carts coming over the hill all spread out like locust. Judging by the time of the day on Friday, I figured it was the members just getting off work and starting their weekend with a quick 9 holes.
Number 6/15 was a par 5 into the prevailing south wind but on the back tees was a concrete gorilla. This course, in the middle of nowhere, had a gorilla on their golf course?!?! Uh, hello photo opt!!
Here is the country club logo...but don't let the marlin fish sway you. This course was in the middle of Texas. Miles and miles away from any sort of big game fish (other than giant carp or bass in their lake)
Here is the closing hole: a daunting par 3 over the lake. It's all of about 115 yards from the 9th tee box and 135 from the 18th tee box. My birdie putts both missed just short but I will blame it on the dormant greens and the occasional bare spots.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed my time at Marlin Country Club and quality time with my parents. I hope there are some of you out there that have played this course as well and can share in the great stories.
Numerical Summary for the weekend: 34 - wind speed in mph on Saturday. Let's just say we decided against going out on the course and risk getting blown away. Not to mention it was 45 degrees and raining as well. Scotland anyone?
4 - Bear Bites consumed at George's during the Baylor/UT basketball game. What is a Bear Bite? It's a Crazy Wing (chicken, cheese, jalapeno wrapped in bacon and deep fried) in a roll with ranch. Even though I just finished a steak at my parents house, I still needed to get my Bear Bite fix.
2 - hours spent at the Ferrell Center watching College Basketball GameDay. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and enthusiasm by the students/fans. Here is a pic of the GameDay bus and live show.
They say 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' and for this post, that couldn't be any more true.
I'm an accountant for one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas producers. My area is the Permian Region in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. My days are filled with looking over capital expenses for drilling projects, putting out small fires in our accounting system, communicating with the Region and verifying my sanity on an hourly basis. In other words, I am strictly overhead to the company. Not a lot of perks are thrown my way versus the engineers that get exhausted from all of the free stuff vendors supply to them. However, I might have one-upped the entire engineering department. My ex-boss (still with my company, just different assignment) is married to a photographer for the Houston newspaper. I won't name names, but he is a talented guy. His forte is sports dealing with Houston teams (Texans, Astros, etc).
It had been years since I had been to a professional football game and growing up a Cowboys fan, I never had a desire to pay to see the sub .500 Texans. Well, I asked...more like pestered the photog leading up to Texans/Cowboys regular season game. The ticket for the general public was sold out so my only way to see the game would be securing media credentials. Score, he asked if I wanted to be his runner for the game. What is a runner? Well, I was to assist the photog with his three cameras and then collect media cards at the end of each quarter and download them onto a computer. There was another photog on the other side of the field I needed to collect her card as well. Turns out you run an insane distance circling that field about 10 times.
I spent the first quarter just in awe of the sights and sounds of the game. The players are just unbelievably huge and the cheerleaders are well...not as hot as you might think. The cameras are crazy heavy with the zoom lenses and mono-pods.
I even managed to get on TV during this play: (I make an appearance at the 0:29 mark)
My head was on a swivel all game but as I crossed behind the Cowboys' bench towards the end of the game, I took this photo. Just something to note, I walked by the bench numerous times during the game, but rarely was the conversation amongst teammates about football. Most of the topics (especially for the special teams guys) was about the cheerleaders or certain fans in the stands. I also managed to score the same gig for the Texans/Titans game in which Andre Johnson got ejected for fighting as well as the Monday night game against the Ravens. I got to walk the field before the game and see all of the ESPN crew doing their thing. Towards the end of the game, Steve Young was just chilling...in my spot! Just because I wear a terrible red vest and couldn't operate one of the cameras to save my life doesn't mean you can just squat in my view! It was fun while it lasted but my hard work and serious butt kissing has paid off for the best media pass yet...The 2011 Final Four here in Houston. The NCAA emailed me confirmation about my pass a few days ago. I will access to the court but I don't know where I will be 'running'. Look for me to rush the court at the end of the championship game. I figured I can work on my wind sprints so that I can be the first on the court for the confetti and festivities!!
Numerical Summary for the day:
74 - temperature here in Houston today. Sunny. Perfect weather. It's days like today that make me hate having a window in my office. More than anything, it is a tease because I can't enjoy the outdoors.
17 - minutes it took me to discover the new color copier on my floor.
38 - seconds it took me to copy something inappropriate on the new color copier. Hello maturity!
2 - minutes it took my boss to send an email out about abusing the color copier. Something about not wasting company resources. Whatever.
