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.