This will be the final post of this golf season, as I have just returned from my final event of the year. It has actually been two events since my last post, and an update is in order. I played in a Tarheel event at Bermuda Run last week and shot 70-73=143 which was good for 31st place. the first day was washed out due to rain, and I played fairly well...steady but not spectacular. My wrist continues to bother me a little, and some much needed rest will make it 100%.

My final event was in Pinehust at The National Golf Club in a Sunbelt event called The Patriot. I played poorly in every facet, and finished 31st with an aggregate of 237 (80-80-77) I could not drive, hit irons, chip or putt well for 3 days, and on that golf course it showed.

Anyway, this brings to an end my first year as a professional golfer, and what a year it has been. I have learned much, and know exactly what improvements I need to make to be more competitive next year. My plan is to take some time off to refresh the body and the mind, and to work on the parts of my game that were weak this year. There were so many adjustments this year; new career, new courses, the travel, new guys to play with, then throw in a new baby half way through the year and it doesn't get much more challenging than that. I was able to see considerable improvement during the second half of the year, and I am very excited about 2007.

I will make some decisions about my playing schedule over the next few weeks, and plan on playing about the same number of tournaments next year as this year (30). All of my sponsors have been supportive during this first year of effort, and while I did not make much money this year, it was successful in many ways. This first year was a good barometer to gauge where I need to get better. I need to putt better, and my overall short game needs to be more consistent. I need to eliminate the sloppy holes, and to avoid big numbers. I made some progress in these areas as the year went by, and I believe continued improvement will come.

Thanks to all who kept up with me through this blog, and next year will be here before you know it! Here are my final stats for the year:

30 Events - 70 competitive rounds

Average 75.5 - (last 35 rounds - 74.3) - (first 35 rounds - 76.7)
Greens hit 61% - (last 35 rounds - 63%) - ( first 35 rounds - 58%)
Fairways hit 74% - (last 35 rounds - 74%) - (first 35 rounds - 74%)
Up and down 44% - (last 35 rounds - 53%) - (first 35 rounds - 39%)
Birdies per round - 2.5 - (last 35 rounds - 3.0) - (first 35 rounds - 2.1)
Putts per round - 31.3 - (last 35 rounds - 30.4) - (first 35 rounds - 32.1)

Last week in New Jersey was poised to be a good one, and then "the rock" got in the way! I arrived up at Twisted Dunes playing well and filled with confidence. I practiced well, and the course suited my game well. I had an early tee time on Tuesday as the first group off at 7:30, and was ready to play. I parred the first 4 holes and arrived at the 14th (started on the back) in OK shape. I hooked my drive left toward some high grass, and my ball actually came to rest on a dirt path. The problem was there was a rock the size of a softball right behind my ball half way exposed above the ground. I considered taking an unplayable, but elected to hit it instead. Bad decision. I chopped it out to the fairway, but bent my 8-iron severely and jammed my right wrist. I tried to play a few more holes but was unable to continue. I withdrew from the tournament, and that was the first event of my life that I ever retired from playing. Very disappointing.

My wrist feels better now after a few days of ice and heat, and there should be no long term effects. I have 2 more events this year, and plan on competing in those tournaments. I will be at Bermuda Run next week in a Tarheel event, and then at Pinehurst for a Senior event the following week.

Well, this posting is both satisfying and painful to write, so get your Kleenex out and read on! I played in a Sunbelt tournament in Myrtle Beach this past week at Long Bay, a Nicklaus course that was tough and in great shape with really good bermuda greens. I have been playing well and fully expected to compete for a good finish. I was paired with two guys who have won on the Nationwide tour, Tim Conley and Javier Sanchez so I was very fired up.

I'll give the good news first. I made 17 birdies in the three days, a personal best, and I putted beautifully. For the first time this year I averaged under 30 putts per round. (28.67). The bad news is I shot 80-73-70 to finish 7 over and in 13th place. You might be wondering how this is possible with that many birdies. Well, there were two holes on this golf course that I did not get along with, and I was 14 over par on those two holes!!! Let me take you through my play.

I tee off the first day and birdie the first hole and shoot 33 on the front. I arrive at the par 3 13th 2 under after a stupid bogey at 11, and the island hole got the best of me. The hole was playing about 155 and I hit an 8 iron just left of the flag long and into the water. From the drop area I chipped on and 3 putted for 6. I parred 14, and from the middle of the fairway on the par 5 15th I made a 13! That's right a 13. There is a stream running down the right side of the fairway all the way to the green, and I hit my 2nd, 4th,6th,8th and 10th into this hazard. I hit the last 4 balls into the hazard from the opposite side from the rough and fatted each one. To make things worse, I could have dropped on the other side of the hazard (lateral) after my second ball went into the hazard if I had been thinking better, and that would have saved me about 6 shots. That mistake will not happen again!! I birdied 17 coming in and shot 80 with 5 birdies, a triple and a 13.

Day two I also got off to a good start. I began on the back and birdied 11 and 12, and then I promptly hit another ball in the water at 13, this time with a 9 iron. I birdied 14 to get back to 1 under, and I layed way back on 15 this time to take going for the green out of the equation. Well, this time I hooked my rescue out of bounds left! Talk about playing it safe. I had 3 more birdies and 3 bogeys on the front to shoot the 73.

The final day I did not get off to a great start, standing 3 over after 4 holes but playing well. I righted the ship by making consecutive birdies at 8,9,10,11,and 12 to get to 2 under. I was able to par 13 for a change, and actually played 15 correctly and made an easy birdie there. I reached the 18th still 3 under and ended up with basically no chance at a two putt, and 3 whipped the final hole for a 70.

After all that you might think I was devastated with my play. While disappointed with those 4 holes, (14 over) I have more confidence than at any time this year, maybe ever. I outplayed 2 guys that have been career touring pros and winners, and I made more putts and more birdies than the 2 of them combined. I can't wait until the Tour Championship next week! Feel free to comment on this posting...I can take the abuse!!! More later.

Just returned from Myrtle Beach, and the South Carolina Senior Open. I felt good all week and played decent, shooting 73-76-70 for a tie for 20th out of about 60 guys. I actually hit the ball better on the second day, but had 3 lip outs and hit a ball in the water on a par 3 that cost me 2 shots. I putted well, although I had a 4 three putts during the tournament. (all from long distance) I only missed 3 fairways all week, and averaged 14 greens hit per round. I had it 4 under the last day through 14, until being derailed by 3 putts on 15 and 17. My 70 the final round (-2) was the lowest round this year in a tournament relative to par, and I really felt in control the whole day. That is certainly something good to build on.

I head back to Myrtle Beach for a Sunbelt event at Long Bay tomorrow, and will be watching the Deacs play Duke today in football. Everybody at home is well. Ann Howell pledged Tri Delta this week at Chapel Hill, and she is very excited to become part of a great sorority. I personally can't wait for parents weekend to meet all her new friends! Young Peter is doing well also, and he is getting bigger daily. He has cut his 2 front bottom teeth (at 9 weeks!) so he has been a little fussy, but is sleeping well at night and giving Steph some much needed rest. Stephen started back to school this week, and is getting into his routine. His golf is coming along, but seems to be hovering in the 82-85 range; he is disappointed with those scores. A growth spurt should help that some. Mary has been going out to the club with me when I have been home, and she seems to enjoy it. She may just like riding in the cart and getting a snack! She will take her putter out on the green and sinks a few short putts though.

Toddy and Barrett appear to be doing fine as well, as far as I can tell. Toddy has his first lacrosse practice this Sunday, and I will not be there but will make the one the following week. Barrett has quite a full schedule this year at school, as well as taking the SAT prep class. She is one of the three co-editors of the school newspaper at Reynolds, and is taking several classes at the career center, which is a challenge. College decisions for her are just around the corner!

More after Long Bay. Go Deacs!

Royal New Kent was not kind to me this week. I probably had one of the better ball striking weeks of the year, and got some horrific breaks that resulted in a 11th place finish. The golf course was fine, but it appears that the place is having some financial problems because there were very few maintenance workers and the bunkers were not raked one time during the tournament. The fairway bunkers are very severe in the first place, and you make huge footprints getting in and out of them. I avoided them the first 2 days, but was in three the final day and had no shot each time. We're talking about being unable to move the ball more than a few feet! I was in footprints that were 4 or 5 inches deep. What a mess. The greens were good, but soft, and some had a lot of slope. I had one putt on the 6th hole the first day where I was about 60 feet for birdie and had to putt up a slope about 7 feet tall. The pin was cut about 8 feet on top of the slope, and my ball got to the rise, stopped, started coming back to me and I had 70 feet for par!. As you can guess my next putt was hit hard enough, missed the next one as well and made a routine 4 putt! I actually putted well, missing only one putt inside 4 feet all week. My lag putting was good. (except for #6 1st day) My short game was good as well, getting up-n-down 6 out of 9 times. The issue was that a few drives were severely penalized, and that led to big numbers.

I am off now until Labor Day, and I will be playing 2 events in Myrtle Beach September 5-13. More after that trip.

Bogeys, bogeys, bogeys. That was the theme of my most recent tournament on the Sunbelt Senior tour this week. I shot 72-74-75 and placed 10th. I made 11 birdies for the week, but had way too many bogeys that seemed to stop any momentum that I had. The first day I had 3 birdies and 3 bogeys, and actually hit the ball well. The middle round I hit the ball better, was close to the pin all day. I couldn't make anything over 5 or 6 feet, and got a bad break on 18 when my second shot to this short par 5 took a terrible bounce and found the hazard and I made 6. The final round I air-mailed the first green and made bogey. I hung tough and was even through 11, and made a few dumb swings coming home as well as a three putt on 13. It seemed that every green I missed yesterday resulted in a difficult chip, and I was leaving myself tough putts for par that I was unable to convert. I birdied the last hole for 75 by making a nice up-and-down from a tough lie, so I ended on a good note. I was close to putting it all together, and I am continuing to see positives that I can take from each week, and I am close to taking the next step. I am seeing evidence of better course management, and my execution is better although I continue making a sloppy swing or 2 which result in bogeys. I am learning from playing with better players, and my decision making is improving.

Next week I am back in Virginia with the Sunbelt Tour at Royal New Kent, a very hard course outside Richmond. The played the Crown Royal there, which was a big PGA Section event ($100K purse), and the scores will most likely be high, depending on the tee and pin placements. We have been playing at about 6700-6800 yards on this Tour, and if form holds the course will be set up tough but fair.

Ann Howell is due back in Chapel Hill over the weekend, and I will take her there before going to Virginia. I can't believe that she is starting her second year in college. She has had a good summer, and been helpful at home. She is really looking forward to returning to her new favorite place and being with her friends. She is planning on rushing this Fall, so that should be a fun experience.

Young Peter Champion continues to do well also, even though he seems to need very little sleep. This is proving to be somewhat disruptive to the overall operation of the Brown household, but a small price to pay for such a wonderful addition to our family! The other children are doing fine, and Barrett and Toddy (and Mom) are looking forward to school starting next week. (anything to get out of Mom's hair)

More after Royal New Kent.

Well, my first 2 day tournament on the Atlantic Coast Tour was decent. I shot 73-74 and that was good for 6th place. We played at Chapel Ridge, the same place I played the Sunbelt Senior event earlier in the week. I played that course 5 times last week, and shot between 72 and 74 every round. We played the back tees for the ACT event, so my scores were a little better than earlier in the week. I got off to good starts both days, and then fumbled a little bit in the middle and finished decent. I seemed to have trouble on the same 3 or 4 holes each round, and looking back on it I perhaps should have played those holes more conservatively. Anyway, while not satisfied in any way, I am pleased that my consistency is improving and I am making more birdies. I also am chipping the ball better and got the ball up and down more consistently this week.

No events until August, so I will be practicing and working on my game. Next post around August 15.

I completed play in the North Carolina Senior Open this week in Chapel Hill. I finished 13th with scores of 74-74-72=220. I hit the ball great, and my short game was actually pretty good. I threw away a few shots each day, and that sloppiness is what kept me from being right in the middle of things. I seem to have turned the corner a little; the scores when I do not play great are lower than they were in the beginning of the year. I am waiting for the really good rounds to come, and I know if I keep working at it, low numbers will follow. That is the big key to tournament golf, making your average rounds be around par instead of 3-5 over.

I am playing in a 2 day event this weekend on the Atlantic Coast Tour, and then off until August 8. The next events are up in the Richmond/Williamsburg area, and I have never played golf in that part of the country so should be fun.

All else is well at home. Stephen has been playing some tournaments recently, and finished 14th in his age group in the county junior with rounds of 81-82-87. The junior club championship is this week at Forsyth, and he was disappointed with his opening 82. A big comeback is planned for today.

Toddy had found a new sport in lacrosse. He wants to play next year on the club team in school, and recently purchased a couple sticks. I was trying to play catch with him last night, and it is hard to get the hang of it. Needless to say I spent a lot of time chasing after balls I missed. Toddy seemed to be enjoying my inability to catch the ball, as most 16-year-olds will when it comes to their Dads! I will be working on improving my stickwork!

I just finished up at River Hills in a Sunbelt Tournament on Thursday. I shot 224 (76-73-75) which was good for 14th place. I hit the ball fairly well, putted average, and really only made a couple bad swings each day that cost me. River Hills is very tight, and I hit a few balls OB that were not all that bad. Any way, off to Chapel Ridge next week. My confidence remains high, and I am looking forward to playing there. I will be staying with Cleta (Steph's Mom), and should play well.

After about 6 months of playing professional golf, here are the stats that matter, along with the trend over the last 10 rounds and my goals.

45 Rounds played
Scoring average: 75.8: Trend (last 10 rounds) 72.6: Goal 71.5
Greens hit 60%: Trend (last 10 rounds) 64%: Goal 70%
Fairways hit 72%: Trend (last 10 rounds) 65%: Goal 75%
Up and Down 41%: Trend (last 10 rounds) 52%: Goal 67%
Birdies per rnd 2.4: Trend (last 10 rounds) 3.4: Goal 5.0
Total Putts 31.7 Trend (last 10 rounds) 30.3: Goal 28.5

It is evident what I need to work on to get my scoring average better. I need to increase my up and down percentage, which in turn will lower my putting stats, and find a few more birdies out there particularly on the par 5's. I am settling for pars on shorter par 5's because I am not getting the ball close enough to the hole to convert a high percentage of birdie opportunities. I have been working on my short game, and will continue to put extra effort into this area of my game.

We have Peter's baptism today, and both he and Mom are doing well. More after Chapel Ridge...

Welcome to Peter Champion Brown, born July 27 and the newest member of the Brown family. He was a whopper, weighing in at 9 lbs. 3 oz. (22.5 inches long) and the biggest baby we have had by almost 2 pounds. Both Steph and the baby are well, and we have been settling into a new but familiar routine. Thanks to all who have called or e-mailed about Peters birth. We are very blessed.

I returned to the tour last week, playing in the Southern Open. I shot 74-74 to miss the cut by 3. I actually played ok, and had 2 poor swings on the first day and a couple 3 putts the second round that prevented me from scoring better.

This week I start a 4 month run of playing exclusively on the Sunbelt Senior Tour against guys my own age. These guys can play, but they certainly are inferior relative to the number of children produced! I am looking forward to the second half of the year. The Sunbelt Tour plays some great courses over the next few months, and I know I can compete out there.

Otherwise it has been fairly benign at home. The older children have been working and helping out as best that teenagers can. One sad note is that my Mustang GT convertible had to be retired last week. Ann Howell mistakenly thought a dump truck was not completely stopped on the road and somehow plowed into its rear end. She was unhurt, nor was the truck, but the Mustang was totaled! Peter was born later the same day, and I am convinced that the trauma put Steph into labor! More after the next event.

This week I played in the Hooters Tour event in Statesville, NC. I shot 74-71=145 and missed the cut by 4. I actually played decent, and finished strong with 32 on my final 9 holes coming in. I am seeing some improvement in my play, and that bodes well for the second half of the year. Ken Budd caddied for me again on Thursday, and Joey Perkins was on the bag Friday. Both did great jobs, and I appreciate their time to come out and support me. David Carr was also on hand for Thursday's round, and it was great to have him there as well.

My two oldest daughters, Ann Howell and Barrett, came out for the final 7 holes on Friday. We were going to the Tom Petty concert in Charlotte after the round, and the plan was to meet and walk the final 9 holes. Well, we turned right on time and the girls were nowhere to be found. I shot 39 on the front, and made bogey from 60 yards on 10 from the middle of the fairway. I found myself distracted somewhat, as I was scouring the course looking for those beautiful girls. Well they showed up on 3 (my 12th hole) and I played the remaining 7 holes on 5 under! I needed them to show up for the whole day! Anyway, we zipped down the the concert and had a great time.

All else is well on the homefront. Young Stephen Brown shot 79 this week, breaking 80 for the first time. I have enjoyed watching him become more interested in golf, and seeing his love for the game develop. Steph is ready to have the baby, but we still have 10 days until she is due. She has been feeling well and the baby is very active! The remainder of the Brown crew is out of school and starting their summer jobs of lifeguarding, babysitting and lawnmowing.

One of the ways I know my game is getting better is that my casual golf is picking up. I played in the "Bone" at Forsyth yesterday and shot an easy 32-32=64 with no bogeys. Casual rounds played well are good for your confidence, and making a bunch of birdies is never a bad thing.

I am off now until the baby arrives. I may play in a one day event here and there in June, and will pick back up in early July.

It has sure been a while since my last update, and finally have some time to post to the blog. Well, since my last posting I have played in 3 events and had 2 poor showings and one decent tournament. I played in a Tar Heel event and shot 149 (78-71) as well as a Hooters event in South Bend, Indiana and actually had the poorest showing of the year 163 (80-83). I also played in the local US Open qualifier in West Virginia and shot 79 (37-42). No good. No excuses. My swing has been in a bit of a funk, as well as my mental frame of mind, and it culminated with my play in South Bend.

One of the best things I have learned about tournament golf this year has been that once a tournament is over, there is always next week and the next event. There is little time to dwell on the past, other than to learn from it and move on. I have played in 18 events thus far in 2006, and I believe that schedule has been a little heavy, especially for a first year professional. The thinking was to jump into playing as many tournaments as possible, and I really have not allowed for much rest (physical as well as mental) or practice. Next year I will definitely space my play earlier in the year so that I am fresher for every event and give myself the best chance to play well. I have mentioned before that this year has been one of adjusting to playing professional golf vs. casual or amateur golf, and I have come to understand and value the importance of scheduling as it relates to preparation and performance.

That catches us up to my most recent tournament. I played this week in a Sunbelt Seniors tournament in Pinehurst and finished 10th with scores of 70-69-70=209. I was able to play fairly well for 3 days, and cashed a check of $700. Not great by any means, but an improvement over past weeks and something on which to build. Playing well builds confidence, and I need a shot of confidence right now.

I have one more tournament before the baby comes, and will take a few weeks off to help my sweetie. This time will give me a chance get some much need practice in and rest up for the second half of the year.

Over the past few weeks many folks have helped out while traveling. Ken Budd hosted me at his beautiful mountain home in Glade Springs, and caddied for me as well in the US Open qualifier. I stayed with Larry and Janie Guy in South Bend (members of Knollwood CC) and they were perfect hosts. Stephen caddied for me and did a great job. We were able to take in a few of the sights while in South Bend, including Notre Dame and the College Football Hall of Fame. We even went to daily Mass 2 times at the Basilica on campus.

Phil Warshauer's parents hosted me in Pinehurst, and Stu and Retts were great as well. I particularly enjoyed playing a few holes with Stu in the late afternoons at Pinehurst CC, one of my favorite places in the world.

It is evident that I have faced some challenges so far in this first year of playing professional golf. My resolve is strong, and I will continue to build upon the positives. I know the second half of the year will be better, and the challenges of the first five months will make me stronger. It is hard to explain in writing what goes through your mind playing at this level without actually experiencing it, and I know that I am tougher now than when I started. This toughness is acquired through some pain and failure, and you have to experience it in order to improve. Here's to continuous improvement!!

I have played in two events since last posting. The Tarheel Tour event in Bermuda Run was a minor disappointment. I shot 77-70=147 to miss the cut by 4. I had a double each round, and keeping the big numbers out of my rounds continues to challenge me. The good news is that I played well the second day and shot 31 on the back nine. I even had a gallery! Joey Perkins and Bryan Andrews came out to follow my final 9, and I told them they need to travel with me all the time. Walter Hall also watched me play, as he is recovering from wrist surgery and home in Winston-Salem for a few weeks.

This past week I was in Lagrange GA. for a Sunbelt event. I had my first round in the 60's, shooting 69 in the second round with 5 birdies and an eagle. Unfortunately I sandwiched that round with a pair of 76's that hurt my chances of placing well. I actually had my best ball striking tournament of the year, which is encouraging. Again, I had a double each round and was unable to make pars when I got a little off cycle. My up-n-down percentage was better, and the practice I am putting in is starting to pay off.

Next week I am playing in a Tarheel event in China Grove, and the following week I will go to West Virginia for the local US Open qualifying, and then to South Bend for the Hooters event there May 17-21.

I did learn some good news recently about one of my sponsors. Brian Cook and Traci are expecting twins in October!! They live in Jacksonville and have been very kind by allowing me to stay with them while traveling. Those days may be numbered once the babies arrive, and I told Brian that I would happily give up the guest room and sleep with "Deacon" their dog out by the pool! More after China Grove.

I have played the past 2 weeks with some results that have been better than my recent play, and have been able to take away some positives. I played in the Hooters event in Atlanta and shot 76-75 to miss the cut but I was fairly close to playing well enough to stick around for the weekend. I was even par the second day with 3 holes to go and hit a couple poor shots coming down the stretch that cost me. I was outside the cut line at that point, and hit the ball decent. Brian Petersen caddied for me and did a good job for his first time on a hilly course. Many thanks to Reggie Blackburn for his hospitality, as well as Steph's Uncle Bob for letting me stay with him one night and cooking a great meal!

This week was a Tarheel event in Charlotte and I shot 73-81. The good news was that I played well enough the first day to indeed have something to play for the second day, but I pressed a little bit the latter half of my round and my score reflected it! My 73 the first round was my lowest first day total since turning professional, and I was even through 5 holes the second day. I made stupid bogeys on 8 and 9 to turn in 39, and needed some birdies on the back to be able to make the cut. I bogeyed 11 and 12 and then my round got away from me. I was not as patient as I need to be, and I will learn from that. You always have to take the positives from any tournament, and I hit some quality shots, made some birdies, and was able to sustain a higher level of play for the first 27 holes or so for the first time this year. I was generally able to drive the ball well, and even made a few long putts. Good things lie ahead.

This week I am again playing in a Tarheel Tour event, and it is here just outside Winston-Salem at Bermuda Run. It will be good to stay at home and play courses that I have some familiarity with.

Best wishes to all for a Happy Easter and Passover. More after Bermuda Run.

I have just returned from my first Sunbelt Seniors Tour event and finished 20th with a score of 224. (76-77-71) This event is for guys over 47, and it was well un by Don Barnes and his wife. I played OK and drove it well and hit my irons decent, but struggled with my short game. I actually putted well, but the course was new, and the areas around the greens were bare and it was difficult for me to chip it close consistently. The answer to that dilemma is to hit more greens!

Stephen went with me again and was as always a big help. As a special treat we played TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday after my early round. He had a birdie and 3 pars on the front 9 (from the white tees), and was so excited to be there! He bogeyed 17 after hitting the ball to the front of the green, and we played 18 in total darkness. The pins from Sunday were still in place, and the rough was brutal. Stephen got Vijay Singh, who was practicing at the course, to autograph a ball (no small feat) and we had a great day!

I believe that I am playing better, and have practiced well since I have been home. I leave Monday for the Hooters event in Atlanta, and will be playing the next 4 weeks. I have decided to play in the Tarheel Tour event at Bermuda Run outside of Winston-Salem on April 18-20, and look forward to playing on a course I know well and have had some success on.

The Tarheel Tour (Rock Hill) event this week was shortened to 36 holes (no cut) due to poor weather the first day, and I shot 153 for my 2 rounds. I was +8 after 7 holes and played fairly well thereafter. The good news is I made my first check as a professional!! $250 may not seem like much, but to me it has significance because it is my first check as a pro, and I kept competing down the stretch to earn at least something. I remember reading Jack Nicklaus "Golf My Way", and him writing that his first check was something like $118! These are the things that I am learning to build upon, and will be tougher and better down the road. As an aside, I had vowed to not cut my hair until I made a check, and must admit it was getting a little scruffy. Barrett and Toddy Jr. were certainly rooting a little harder for their Dad as well, being somewhat embarrassed by the major "hat head" Pops has been sporting!

We leave tomorrow for Sanctuary Cove, a new Fred Couples design near Brunswick GA. and my first Sunbelt Seniors (pros 47+) event. Our son Stephen is going along to keep me company. The next week is the Atlanta Hooters event, and I have an all star cast of caddies lined up to tote the bag. Brian (Dead Head) Petersen and Reggie Blackburn have graciously agreed to caddy for me, and it will be fun. Both those guys will certainly keep me loose!

To be continued after the Sunbelt event...

Well, I have just returned from Hilton Head and the Tarheel Tour match play event. I am beginning to see signs of my game improving, and my confidence is higher than it has been. I shot 72 in the qualifier with 5 birdies, and putted better than of late. I lost my first match 3&1, played fairly well, and just got beat. The good news is that I can take some positives from this event and build on it for the future, which is more than I have been able to say after most of my previous events!!

I am off until March 21st, and am looking forward to some rest and home-time. Ann Howell will be home from Chapel Hill for spring break, and I am looking forward to catching up with her in person instead of on the phone. Everybody else is doing well, including Steph and our pending new little one. Amazing stuff!

At the time of this posting I am back home in Winston-Salem for a few days before going to Hilton Head for the Tarheel Tour Matchplay Championship. Parts of my game at this point are in disarray, but others are strong. The last 2 tournaments I have hit the ball well in spurts, particularly my driving, and my putting has been fairly good. It seems that I have been leaving myself in bad spots when I miss greens, and have not been able to make par, and my scores reflect it. My course management in medal play tournaments is continuing to evolve, and it will get better. I was watching ESPN this week in the hotel, and Bobby Knight was telling his players that in order to taste success you first have to experience failure, and I know exactly what he was talking about!

My trip to Guatemala was great, even though my scores were not. A friend from Winston, Gary Hennessey went along and he was a life saver in many ways. Gary's Spanish was pretty good and he got us around fairly easily. I am thankful to have a buddy who wanted to spend a week there with me. San Isidro CC was fantastic, perhaps in the top 10 of courses I have played. The views of Guatemala City and the volcanoes were fantastic, and the greens were about the fastest I have ever putted. If you got on the wrong side of the hole, making par was difficult. Nine over par made the cut, and the winning score was one under (-1). I played the first two rounds with John "Jumbo" Elliott a professional who has played on the PGA Tour 5 times. He hits it a ton, and I learned some things from his that will be beneficial down the road.

Upon returning from Guatemala I played in a Tarheel Tour event in Charleston, and also failed to make the cut. I believe I am in need of some rest, and after having played 7 tournaments in 2 months my mind and body are tired. After Hilton Head I am off for about 2 weeks, and the rest will serve me well. It will also give me some time to practice, something I have not really done as much as necessary.

It may sound like I am a little discouraged, but I am really not. I wish I was scoring more consistently, and I know that will come. So much of what I am doing is new, and there have been many adjustments over these first 60 days. Traveling and being away from my family, adjusting to competing at a higher level, and managing your mental focus (both on and off the course), are things I am working on to be more competitive. I am seeing some improvement but I have a long way to go.

One thing I am going to do is change my schedule slightly to include more Sunbelt Senior Tour events. This tour is for guys 47 and older, and the tournaments are set up as 54 hole events with no cut (just like the Champions Tour).The next few weeks shape up as follows:

March 6-10 Tarheel Match Play
March 21-23 Tarheel - Rock Hill
March 27-29 Sunbelt Senior - St. Simons Island
April 3-9 Hooters - Atlanta
April 10-16 Hooters - Auburn, Alabama
April 19-21 Sunbelt Senior - Braselton, GA.
April 25-27 Sunbelt Senior - LaGrange, GA.

Thanks to all for your continued encouragement and support. Keep it in the fairway and on the green!

My last Grey Goose Gateway Tour event was last week, and I shot 77-73=150. Not a great score, but I can tell I am improving as a professional and am closer to scoring well. I had no big holes, and actually hit the ball fairly well. I need to get my short game a little sharper, and make a few more birdies. These first 5 events have been a good gauge for the things I need to do to get better, and I am excited about the Hooters Tour beginning for me in a few weeks.

My youngest son Stephen went with me on this last trip, and we had a great time. Driving back home we stopped in St. Augustine and toured around the town for a few hours, and it is certainly a neat place. We also visited the World Golf Hall of Fame, and had dinner at the "Caddy Shack" Brian and Traci Cook were kind enough to let us spend the night with them on short notice, and it was good to visit with them and Traci's daughter Chloe. Unfortunately we also watched the Deacs lose another basketball game against Boston College!

Guatemala is next up on the schedule. Gary Hennessey, a good friend from Winston-Salem, is going with me to caddy. We leave Sunday the 12th, and the tournament starts on the 16th. I am ready to go, and look forward to playing well and making some putts!

Things are getting better, and my golf is improving!! I finally played somewhat decent in my most recent Grey Goose Gateway event. I was still outside of the cut line, but shot 147 (77-70). Shooting under par for 18 holes for the first time as a professional is one of the good positive signs I need to progress and get better. After making a triple on my first hole, I hung tough and was even for the next 35. I made a change in my putting, returning to left-hand-low that I used a few years ago, and gained some confidence. It is amazing how much easier the game becomes when you know you are putting well and can make putts. I can't wait until Wellington, the next event.

I will be bringing our youngest son Stephen (12 yrs. old) to the next event in Florida, and look forward to spending some time with him. He has been working on his own game in Winston-Salem, and will have fun in sunny Florida.

I have been blessed in many ways in my life, and my wife and children are at the center of my good fortune. We recently learned that my dear wife Stephanie is expecting a baby in late June. We are all thrilled at the pending birth of baby #6, and look forward to a safe delivery. I have also been blessed with many good friends that have encouraged and supported me in my golf efforts. A special thanks goes out to those who have been especially vocal and supportive as this journey begins. Phil Warshauer, Tim McGlue, and Gil Becker, three buddies from Wake Forest have been particularly supportive over this first month. Gil has let me use his home club, Weston Hills, for practice, and Phil and Glugie have given me many kind words of encouragement as I struggled in these early tournaments. Another buddy, Stephen Moglia (better known as Nugget or Beaver) has allowed me to stay at his house in Hollywood when in Florida. It is good to have a friendly face around, and I have found that it certainly makes things easier. Thanks to all.

This next event in Florida will be my last on the Gateway Tour this year. I will be playing most of my golf on the Hooters Tour going forward, and will play some Tarheel Tour events as well. I have enjoyed playing this tour, and plan on going out with a bang next week!

Well, the first three events of the Greygoose Gateway Tour have been a struggle. I knew that playing down here was going to be an adjustment, and it certainly has been! It reminds me of when I began playing competitive golf again several years ago...it took a few tournaments to get comfortable, and then things settled down.

My scores have been high...my average is about 79 strokes. All of my scores are on the Tour website www.thegatewaytour.com My low round is 76, and I have had two nine-hole scores under par. Playing in the wind and putting on these Bermuda greens has been tough. You have to get used to the grain and speed, and I have not putted particularly well, and that has in turn affected my short game. I am getting more comfortable though, and my scores will improve. This whole deal is a marathon not a sprint...but I would like to play well sooner rather than later! Making a few cuts would be good. After three tournaments the areas of my game that need to improve the most are my short game and maintaining a high level of mental focus. Great players all have those two things.

In addition to the adjustments of playing tournament golf, I am adjusting to the travel, being away from home, eating properly, and managing my practice time. I have met some great guys playing out here, and that has helped. I am going home for a few days, and will be back at it January 25.