Well, here we are at the end of year 2 of my efforts to become a successful senior golfer. I am just back from Portugal and the qualifying tournament for the European Seniors Tour. I was fortunate to advance to the finals by successfully negotiating 2 rounds over the Quinta de Cima course in southeast Portugal. I made the cut on the number at 153 with rounds of 79-74. My first round I had a triple/double deal on 14 and 15 to mess up an otherwise decent round. The second round was more solid, but I thought I needed one more birdie over the last 4 holes to advance but could only manage pars. I had quite a wait to see if I made it, and it was slightly stressful!

At the finals, I got off to a solid start and was even after 7 holes, starting on the back. I 3-putted 8 and 9 from long distance and was still 2 over for the round on the 3rd tee. (my12th hole) I hit the ball in a greenside bunker and took 3 shots to get out and made 6. The bunkers were very difficult for me, and every hole I had trouble with was the result of hitting it in the bunkers. I birdied the difficult 4th hole and made another 6 from the bunker on 5 by playing the hole the same way! I had one other bogey and turned a respectable 73 or 74 into a 79 real quick.

I needed to get things in gear in round 2, which was played after day 2 was washed out by 5 inched of rain. I birdied 18 to shoot 71, and I finished the first 2 rounds at 150, somewhere around 50th place. We continued with round 3 after a brief lunch and I was steady until I came to the 5th hole and made another 6 from the bunker (same one!) I made a few more bogeys and play was suspended with 3 holes to play with me at 6 over par for the round and 14 over for the tournament. Playing 33 holes walking was tiring, but I felt OK. The cut to reach the last day was to fall at 11 over, and I needed to birdie the last 3 to have any chance. I stunk and finished 10 over for the day and 18 for the tournament. Again I was jinxed by the bunkers. I played 49 holes well, and lost 14 shots on 5 holes because I was unable to figure out how to play the ball out of the traps. No excuses, but all the Americans had trouble with the fluffy mud-like sand.

I am going to rest through the holidays, and work hard getting into shape for next year. 2008 is a huge year, and I was able to see enough improvement in my game to be encouraged for next year. I lowered my scoring average almost 1.5 strokes to 72.6, won a tournament, and had several top 10's. I will play most of my golf on the Sunbelt Tour next year, and will go over to Scotland for the British Senior Open next summer and then try and qualify for as many Champions Tour events as possible once I turn 50 on May 31st of next year.

Thanks to all who have followed my blog this year, and I look forward to keeping everybody updated next year on my progress.

Wow, it sure has been a while since I posted anything to my blog... I need to do a better job with that! I have just returned from The Patriot, a great Pro-Am in Pinehurst played at National Golf Club. I finished 16th with scores of 73-71-76. My play the first 2 days was acceptable, but I made several strategic decisions the final day that did me in. I putted well, drove it OK and hit several good shots but was unable to finish in the money.

The format for the tournament was cool; we played with 2 amateurs the first 2 days, and then with pros the last day. My partners for the Pro-Am portion were 2 successful ladies, and we were in good shape after the first day (58) but faded a little on day 2 (64) to finish 4th in the net division. I played with Sally Hargrove, a 26 handicapper (shot 87 on day 1) who loves golf and is an international banking consultant. My other partner was Tracy Leinbach, who recently retired as CFO of Ryder. (talk about a powerful group!) Tracy played golf for William and Mary in the early 80's, and earned her MBA from Chapel Hill. Sally graduated from Chapel Hill, and earned her MBA from Wharton. We had a blast, and the ladies were great to play with.

Prior to Pinehurst I played in the Bermuda Open, and it was my first trip to that great little island since our honeymoon 25 years ago! I missed the cut by 3 after shooting 78-78-78. It was windy all the time, and poured on day 2. The greens were tricky, and I putted well but did not make anything over 5 or 6 feet. I did shoot 72 in the Pro-Am, so all was not lost!

Prior to that I played in the Seaweed and finished in the money 2 days and made some cash. I love playing there and had fun.

Next I am off to Portugal for the European Senior Tour qualifying tournament. My birthday is too late in the year to go to Champions Tour qualifying, and if I am able to get through in Portugal, I will be able to play in 10-12 events there. I am looking forward to going over there and experiencing yet again another event that will make me more competitive. Wish me luck!

During The Patriot Steph and I attended parents (Sigma Kappa) weekend at NC State with Barrett and Ann Howell. That was much fun, and we are blessed to have 2 great daughters (no slight to the other 4 mind you) who go to school in close proximity!

Anyway, much practice is on the schedule prior to going to Portugal on November 8. I will be gone for 16 days, and unfortunately will miss Thanksgiving if I make it to the finals. More after that adventure....

The Tobacco Road event on the Sunbelt Tour had the potential to be a break-out tournament for me, and it almost was! I got off to a good start the first day shooting 68, and turned the front on the second day 2 under. Then it got ugly...I somehow managed to make one par on the back nine and shot 42. I rebounded nicely the final day with a solid 69 and finished 10th. With the exception of those 9 holes Wednesday I played solid and putted well on very bumpy greens.

I stayed with Cleta Howell (Steph's Mom) and it is always a delight to see her. Ann Howell came over from Chapel Hill for dinner one night and she continues to shine! Next week is the Tour Championship for the Sunbelt Tour, and then I am off for a few weeks before going to Bermuda for the Bermuda Open Oct 14-17.

Just back from Myrtle Beach and 2 Sunbelt events. The first one was at Tidewater and I played poorly with scores of 76-73-76 and finished in the middle of the pack. I hit the ball decent, but putted below average on grainy bermuda greens. The next event was at Long Bay, and I played better. My scores were 72-70-77, and I was 3 under for the tournament with 6 holes to play!! I got 2 terrible breaks, and actually made 3 doubles coming in to limp to a disappointing finish. I was actually fighting my swing all day, and was scrambling well to be below par for the day through 12. No excuses, just need to play better down the stretch.

I played with Gary Hallberg the last day at Long Bay (3 time winner on PGA Tour and classmate at Wake Forest) and it was great seeing him after many years. I was actually ahead of him before my meltdown! He will be playing in some Sunbelt events between now and next summer when he turns 50. He will have full status on the Champions Tour next year as a multiple Tour winner.

Being at the beach was fun and I saw many players I had not seen in a while and I made some new friends as well, especially some folks from Louisburg, NC who were particularly fun. I stopped off in both Chapel Hill and Raleigh to see Ann Howell and Barrett at their respective schools, and they are both doing great. AH had just finished her rush responsibilities with Tri Delta, and B received her bid from Sigma Kappa while I was there! It is very rewarding to see our 2 oldest growing up and doing well!

I played a practice round at Tobacco Road in Sanford (next weeks event)after seeing the girls, and got home in time to see Miss Mary before bed and give Peter a bath. He has been fighting a cold and giving Steph some minor fits!

I will be going to App. State with Todd Jr. this Saturday to visit the campus and take in the football game. I am looking forward to spending some time just the 2 of us. Stephen has been working on his golf a little and adjusting to life as a freshman in HS. Steph is great...she tells me she puts things in "survival mode" when I am gone, and I am thankful she keeps everything going so well in my absence. More after Tobacco Road.

Bogeys and birdies...that was the theme to my most recent event in Pinehurst on the Sunbelt Tour. I played well enough to finish 8th and cash a check with scores of 72-74-71. I made 12 birdies and had 13 bogeys...but there were several good things that happened. I putted well, making 8 putts over 15 feet for the 3 days including several in the 25-30 ft. range. I drove the ball well but my iron play was a little loose at times.

I play next in Myrtle Beach in early September. We have to get Ann Howell and Barrett moved in to college over the next week or so, so a little time off will be good. I need to practice over the next few weeks on my pitching and short irons, and then see some results at Tidewater and Long Bay!

Well, the North Carolina Senior Open did not go exactly like I would have hoped. I shot 74-75-71 and finished well back in a strong field. I hit the ball above average, but I was unable to convert the birdie chances that I had. I made many good putts, but few fell. I have been putting very well, and just did not do much with the putter this week. I averaged 29 putts per round, but should have made more putts because I hit it close all week. I think I was only 4 of about 25 on birdie putts inside 15 feet.

The best part about tournament golf is that there is always the next tournament to go to and improve. I am off to Pinehurst for another Sunbelt event and I plan on turning it around.

Well, my decent play has continued during my trip to Atlanta. I had 2 top 10's, and hit the ball great. I finished 9th in the first event with scores of 69-72-74, and T6 in the second one with scores of 73-70-73. I kept it in play nicely on 2 very tight courses, and putted well but didn't make much. I have averaged 70.75 my last 12 competitive rounds, and my confidence remains high.

I was able to stay with Steph's sister Andy and her family while down there, and it made things very nice. I also spent some time with my sister Jill who was in Atlanta for a baseball tournament. My nephew Andrew has been playing down there all summer, and it was great to see them as well as my niece Amanda. They actually are now in Winston for another tournament, so they are with us for a few days.

I also saw a few fraternity brothers while in Atlanta, Dave Yealy and Reggie Blackburn. We played at CC of the South where Dave is a member, and we had a great time.

I am off next week and then will be playing in the NC Senior Open at Tanglewood August 7-9. I think it is time to break through and win one against my senior peers! I am ready, and this will be a great chance to make something happen.

Stephen plays in the Forsyth County tournament next weekend, and I am looking forward to watching him play. He went with one of the assistants at Forsyth to play in a Pro-Junior last week and won a pair of new ECCO shoes by finishing 2nd. His game is shaping up, and playing in the Forsyth will be a great experience.

Lots of practice planned between now and Tanglewood, and I will report back after that event!

It was a good golfing week for the Brown house! First off, my son Stephen (age 14) won the 13-15 age group in the Forsyth County Junior, his first tournament win. he birdied the last hole at Tanglewood Park's Reynolds course to win by one shot with scores of 69-79-74. I was so happy for him; he has worked hard on his game this year, and it is paying off.

I finally played well in a tournament and won mini-tour event here in W-S at Winston Lake Open. I shot 65-68 on the par 71 track to win by 2. "The Lakes" is a course built for the black community in the 50's, and most of the competitors were as you would expect. I beat a pro from Jamaica who also shot 65 the first day, and we had a good battle down the stretch. I was happy to be in contention in a tournament for a change, as this was my first win in 2 years and the first opportunity I have had to win since turning pro. Granted this was not a Sunbelt or Tarheel event, but a win is a win and I'll take it. I bogeyed 2 of the first 4 holes, and then settled down and took command with 3 birdies in a row at 8-9-10. I played the last 14 holes -4 with no bogeys. I plan on taking this positive vibe with me to Stone Mountain where I will be playing in 2 Sunbelt events starting Wednesday. I am fired up to play!

I will try to update a little more frequently this trip, if i can figure out the Wi-Fi on my laptop!

Good play...and tough breaks continue! Playing last week in the Tarheel event in China Grove I shot 71-70 and missed one more cut by one shot. I bogeyed the last hole which was disappointing, although at the time I did not think 2 under would get it done.

I have been encouraged lately with my play, and I seem to be getting a little more out of my rounds than a few months ago. My scoring average the past 10 rounds is 72, and I believe I am getting better. I did have one double this week, as well as 2 three putts, but I made 8 birdies and generally kept it in play. Ann Howell came out with me the first round, and I enjoyed having her there.

I am off for 2 weeks and then to Atlanta for 2 Sunbelt Senior events in the Stone Mountain area. Looking forward to playing with the senior boys down there.

Played last week in a Tarheel event at Bermuda Run CC here in Winston-Salem. I shot 72-72 and missed another cut by a few strokes. I played well, and shooting even the first day on the original 18 with 4 birdies and 4 bogeys. Stephanie came out to watch me play for the first time, and I enjoyed having her there.

The cut line after the first roung was one under, so i knew I had some work to do the second day. I played the front 9 on the West course +1, then birdied 12 to get to even. I needed a birdie or 2 the last 6 holes, and I burned the edge on 3 of the next 4 holes. I got to the 17th hole still even, and I had 131 to this par 3. The shot was a 3/4 9-iron for me, and I hit it a little chunky. It rolled back into a greenside bunker and I had no shot. 4 whacks later I had a double bogey. I parred 18 and there was my 72. I felt good about my week, although the bottom line is 2 rounds and done!

Many thanks to Bryan Andrews who came out both days and followed me around. He is always a positive influence, and I like having him out there to watch. Another buddie Rick Bright came out for Wednesday's round, and it was good to see him.

This week (starting today) I am in China Grove at the Warrior GC and another Tarheel event. Last year the cut in this one was 5 under, so I need to play well. I really am playing with some confidence, so I am expecting to do well. It is always tough against the younger guys, but this course is not that long so I should be able to compete. Ann Howell is home from Chapel Hill for the week so she is coming out to watch the first round.

Peter is taking a few steps, and it will not be long before he is motoring around. Also, Stephanie and I are celebrating out 25th anniversary today, and wouldn't it be nice to shoot about a 65 and celebrate 25 wonderful years with my sweetie and a good opening round as well!!

Updating this blog is always fun for me regardless of what I have to write, and this entry is no exception. I have been playing well, and am heading into a stretch of tournaments that hopefully will pay dividends. (and checks!) I have been doing some fun things and experiencing new things with my golf. I played in a Pro-Junior this past Sunday at TPC Wakefield in Raleigh. The tournament was in conjunction with the Nationwide event that is taking place there this week. I was paired with 4 juniors, all seniors in HS who were going off to play in college next year. We had a great time, and the junior were vying for a sponsors exemption into the tournament. Bad weather cut short our day; but the contending juniors stuck around to complete their play and earn the spot into the event.

The following day I played in the Nationwide qualifier at Grandover Resort in Greensboro. I had Stephen on the bag and got off to a great start. I birdied the 1st hole, and had it 3 under through 7 after birdies on 6 and 7. A poor 3-hole stretch followed, and I walked off the 10th green 1 over par. That is where I finished, shooting 73 for the day. I lost my edge for about 30 minutes and hit 3 poor shots, and it was similar to the US Open qualifying in that my trouble was at the same spot in my round. I was hydrated and nourished, so I am baffled by the loss of focus. I may have been thinking ahead of myself a little, never a good thing in competitive golf.

Yesterday I volunteered a day of time to Youth Opportunities and their annual golf tournament. Bryan Andrews is very involved with this organization that helps children with developmental disabilities, and I have helped with the tournament for 3 years by hitting shots for each group as they come through on par 3. For the second year I made an ace for one of the groups, which is always fun. I was beat at the end of the day; two shotgun starts made for about 11 hours out in the sun and 175 swings! We all had a great day, and it was for a good cause.

Many readers have been asking about my schedule, and below is what I am planning through early August.

June 12-14 Tarheel Tour Bermuda Run CC-Advance, NC
June 19-21 Tarheel Tour Warrior GC-China Grove, NC
July 12-14 Tarheel Tour Southern Open - Concord, NC
July 18-20 Sunbelt Senior Stone Mountain, Ga.
July 23-25 Sunbelt Senior Stone Mountain, Ga.
August 7-9 Sunbelt Senior Tanglewood Park, Clemmons NC

The Sunbelt event at Tanglewood is the NC Senior Open. I am heading up the Pro-Am (played on Monday August 6) for Don Barnes, and we are looking for teams. A 3-person team will be paired up with a pro from the tour, and the cost is $500 per team. We also have hole sponsorships, and individuals can also sign up. There will be a pairings party Sunday, August 6, at Pig Pickin's in Winston-Salem, and we are planning a great day. If anyone would like to play you can call or e-mail me. 336.407.2650 or toddyb@bellsouth.net .

Our daughter Barrett graduates from RJ Reynolds HS this Saturday, and she will be heading off to NC State in the Fall. Steph's mom and sister Tina will be here for the big day. Barrett has done well at Reynolds, and we are delighted that she will be part of the Wolfpack nation!

US Open qualifying this past Monday was a frustrating day on a very difficult course. I shot 77 to miss advancing to the sectional by 2 shots. I had a 3 hole stretch in the middle of my round where I lost 4 strokes and that was the difference. DuPont CC was long and in great shape, and set up very tough. The greens were fast and hard, and it was difficult to get it close. No player shot under par, and 1 over was low.

I actually spent a few days up in the Del./NJ/NY and saw most of my family. I stayed with my sister Cindy in Delaware, and also with Cheryl in NJ and Jill in NY. Stephen went with me on this trip and we were golfing gypsies. I also was able to spend time with my Mom who is recovering from some surgery and is on the mend. The girls do a great job assisting her, especially Cheryl who lives closest to Mom.

We had an opportunity to play Winged Foot on this trip, and Stephen was in hog heaven. He had a chance to shoot 90 from the black tees (7000 yds) with a 8 foot putt on the last hole, but 3 whipped it for 92. We played with Kevin Ryan, a frat brother from WFU and he was a very gracious host. We also saw John Buczek, the new head pro there who has ties to wake Forest and Winston Salem as he was the pro at our club for 15 years. He has done a great job with the shop there, and I know the members will enjoy his professionalism and the way he makes everybody feel like a friend.

We got in late on Monday and I played in the Crosby on Tuesday. That charity tournament has done so much to help students pay for college and prepare for life, and I believe this year over $175,000 was raised! Great going to Paul Fulton who is the local linchpin that keeps the event going. I also met Mrs. Crosby, who was delightful and very appreciative of all who participated.

The next few weeks I will be playing locally in Charlotte and then at Bermuda Run. Barrett graduates from HS June 9, and I cant believe I will have my to oldest girls out of the nest and off to school. Time sure flies by when you are having fun!!

The action resumes. I have just returned from 2 tournaments , and the results are thankfully better. I played in a Sunbelt event in Pinehurst )one of my favorite places in the world for many reasons) and i played fairly well shooting 72-74-72 for a decent finish but no check. I hit the ball well, and putted decent also, especially the last day after a putter change. I knew I was playing better, and was beginning to score more like I should be given my play. I stayed with Stu and Retts Warshauer, and they always make me feel so welcome when I come and play in Pinehurst.

From there I went to Myrtle Beach for the Seaweed Invitational, and I made about $2,000 with scores of 70-69. I continued to strike the ball well, and i made some putts. The confidence I need to score well seems to be returning after a long time away...thank goodness!!!

Tomorrow I am off to Delaware to prepare for the US Open qualifying at DuPont CC in Wilmington on the 21st. I will be able to see my family, and I look forward to going up there. I have a renewed feeling of being able to play well, and know I will give it my best effort. Stephen will be going along to caddy.

Back from Georgia...I feel a little like the citizens of Atlanta after General Sherman burned the city during the war of Yankee aggression. The theme continues concerning my play, with fairly good ball striking and poor scoring, particularly my putting. I played 2 tournaments in the greater Atlanta area, the first being at Chateau Elan I shot 82-77-74, good for a middle of the pack finish. I had a few terrible breaks the first day, and one on the second day that cost me a quadruple bogey on the 2nd hole. I played better the final day, and that carried over to the pro-am we played the day after the tournament when I shot 73 with 2 late 3 putts.

Leaving Chateau Elan and headed for Heron Bay, (about 30 miles south of Atlanta towards Macon) I was filled with confidence and ready to play well. I hit it solid during my practice round, but I did notice the greens were somewhat quick and a little inconsistent (some were super fast and others just quick) I made a nice up-n-down on the first hole from the greenside bunker, and felt good. I turned 2 over and putted horrible on the back. I started the back with a 4 putt on 10 and 3 putts on 11 and 13. I had just hit the first 4 greens on the back and was 4 over on those holes...unbelievable. It seemed that I was always above the hole on the fastest greens, and could not get it close with my first putt. My mechanics are off a little, and I will be working hard next week to fix that. I shot 77-74-79 at the event, again somewhere in the middle of the field. I missed only 7 fairways all week and averaged 13 greens hit per round. Certainly good enough to score well. I had ten 3 putts and a 4 putt which kills everything.

You can't dwell on poor play, but you must look at it with a critical eye and learn from it. I need better pace on my longer putts, and not try to make everything...particularly down hill, down grain putts. I also need to work on my putts between 6-8 feet. I missed many of those, mostly second putts for par after hitting a green. On the positive side, I played the par 5's better (3 under for the week) and with the exception of a few sloppy shots, kept the ball in play.

Putting is both a combination of confidence and mechanics, and I need a shot of both right now. I believe I am close to putting it together, and I am upbeat about things despite my scores. My next tournament is in Pinehurst next week, and I played well there last year, finishing 10th with scores of 70-69-70. Sometimes going back to a place you played well is just what the Doctor ordered. More after Whispering Woods.

Spring is here, and hopefully my game will be coming around as well. I played in 2 CPGT events the past 2 weeks, with mixed results. I played well for one of the 2 days each tournament, and did some things that are encouraging. I was semi in contention in each event after the first round of these 2 day tournaments, and faltered on the final day. The most recent one at Regent Park in Charlotte I shot 71-77. I played really well the first day, particularly the front nine where I shot 32 with 2 bogeys. I was not very good after that, and finished well back of the winning score of 141. I have been in the arena a few times recently after one round, and I will break through one of these days and play to my potential.

I am trying to stay in the present, stick to my routine and just play, but somehow I get the ball in difficult spots that make it impossible to make pars. I have been putting better, and my work there is paying off. I am also seeing some improvement in my short game, and while my stats are only slightly better in that area, I am hitting it closer on par 5's and my birdie conversion percentage is better.

I will be making some adjustments in my schedule, due to one of the mini-tours I joined folding before playing any events. "The Senior Tour" never got off the ground, and I was planning on playing in 8-10 events there. It is disappointing, but there are plenty of Sunbelt and Tarheel events to play in to give me a full schedule.

Next week I am off to the Atlanta area to play in Sunbelt events at Chateau Elan and a new course south of Atlanta. I plan on playing well and continuing the build momentum. I have some confidence working, and need to finish the deal and put together a few complete tournaments. More after Atlanta...

Just returned from 2 Sunbelt events in south Georgia and played well for 3 rounds and poorly for 3 rounds. The first tournament was at Sanctuary Cove and I shot 82-72-82. I have been experimenting with some new contacts and played the first and third rounds with them, and my depth perception was off for sure. One might think after the first round why I would play with them in the final round, but it was raining and I thought it would help not to have to worry about water on my lenses, etc. Shows what you get for thinking.

From there I went to laurel Island Links 20 miles south down I95. I shot 73-80-72 and had some terrible breaks in the second round particularly. How about hitting a sprinkler head just off the green and going OB on a par 3? Or hitting it virtually down the middle on the 2nd hole and the ball taking a dead left into the marsh. I had 8 penalty strokes in that round, and hit 13 greens! I played well the last day despite a triple on hole #9. My putting has been fairly good, averaging under 30 putts so far this year. I also am converting nearly 25% of my birdie opportunities when I do hit the green. I need to avoid the big holes, and despite a few bad rounds am confident that I will put it together. I am off for 2 weeks before playing 2 events in Florida and one in Atlanta next month.

I was able to see several friends on this trip and made some new ones as well. I was able to see my Aunt Carol and Lou, and enjoyed a fun evening with them. They are preparing to see the country in a camper/RV, and both are very excited.

I also spent some time with Jed Simmons and his family, who happened to be at Sea Island for spring break. It is always great catching up with Jed, and it seems like no matter how much time passes between visits, we fall right into things as if we see each other daily.

I met a new friend, Lewis Gardner and his Mom at Laurel Island. Lou is a golf nut, a Dookie and a WFU law grad (in that order) who lives in Pittsburgh. We played some holes together during my practice round, as he was visiting his mother who had just moved to the area. We found out we had many common classmates, and the three of us enjoyed a great dinner at Osprey Cove CC after playing.

I also saw Chris Scully and Ken Murrah and parts of their families in Ponte Vedra Beach for some pizza. It was good to catch up with two classmates from B-school.

Finally, I spent some time with Brian Cook and his wife Traci, and their 4 1/2 month old twins James and Catherine (sp?). They are doing well, and Traci may be the best cook in all of Florida. She serves up an outstanding meal each time I visit, and it seems like she just whips it up like no big deal. Good food and good company for sure!

Anyway, it is good to be home and I will be practicing hard to straighten out the sloppy areas. It is early in the year, and I believe that I will score better sooner rather than later. More down the road...

The 2007 season is underway! I just returned from my first event of 2007, a Tarheel Tour event in Charleston, SC, and also attended the Dave Pelz Short Game School in Florida prior to going to Charleston.

The Pelz School was very good, and will really help me this year. They teach you a new way to hit all of your shots from 100 yards and in, and while it will take practice to perfect the new swing, it is nothing so radical that it cannot be learned with daily practice. They teach you to use your bigger muscles, with more body rotation, than is generally taught for these shots, and when executed properly the resulting shots are terrific, especially distance control. I also learned several new putting concepts that will help, specifically relating to my lag putting and several good practice drills and tools that will lower my putting stats.

After leaving the Pelz School, I played in my first tournament in Charleston. I shot 76-78 to miss the cut by 4, but actually played decent for the first time out and missed a few short shots where I combined my old swing with the Pelz swing, and the result was poor!! The golf course played long, almost 7300 yards, and the conditions were tough. I hit 3-4 iron into several par 3 and par 4 holes. Anytime the cut is 6 over par you know the conditions are tough. I have no excuses, but I did draw the wave where the higher scores were posted. I played late Tuesday and early Wednesday, and only one score was under par Tuesday afternoon (25-30 mile winds). It rained all day Wednesday with 15-20 mile winds, and it made for tough sledding. That is the way it goes sometimes.

There is a change in my plans for March. The two tournaments in California are being rescheduled, so I will be going to Georgia to play in two Sunbelt Events those weeks. Looking forward to seeing all of my senior buddies that have been hibernating over the winter. More after those tournaments.

I hope all is well with those following my blog. After being home for the past 2 months, I am really getting the itch to get the new season started. The amount of rest these past 2 months has been good for my wrist and my mind, and the batteries are recharged and ready to go. I have been working out some to continue to get stronger, and it has been a great time to reflect on the first year and put it all into perspective. (as well as getting re-acquainted with my family!)

I will begin the season in Charleston, S.C. (just outside) in a Tarheel event February 20-22. Prior to that I will be in Florida practicing as well as attending a 3-day Dave Pelz scoring school which emphasizes shots from inside 100 yards, as well as putting. Those of you who have followed my activity over the last year know that an improved short game is essential to my being more competitive. Having a better plan will certainly help in this area.

I have set my schedule through June, and it looks as follows:

Feb: 20-22 Tarheel Tour Charleston SC
Mar: 7-9 The Senior Tour Moorpark, CA (LA)
Mar: 14-16 The Senior Tour Chino Hills, CA (LA)
Apr: 3-5 Sunbelt Tour Gainsville, FL
Apr: 11-13 The Senior Tour Tallahassee, FL
Apr: 18-20 Sunbelt Senior Chateau Elan, GA
Apr: 23-25 Sunbelt Senior Atlanta
May: 1-3 Tarheel Tour Cabarrus CC (NC)
May: 8-10 Sunbelt Senior Pinehurst, NC
May: 24-27 Hooters Greenville, NC
May: 30-1 Tarheel Goldsboro, NC
June: 13-15 The Senior Tour Chattanooga, TN
June: 19-21 Tarheel Tour China Grove, NC

I hope to see some of my legion out there this year! I should be able to set the second half of the year up by the end of March or early April.