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.