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.