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!