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.