Well, the journey has begun. As my blog mentions, I am a 47 year-old guy who wants to be a professional golfer on the Champions Tour a few years down the road. I convinced my wife I could do this (I already believed it myself), put together a great team of friends willing to invest, and off we are going! The plan is to play in as many events as possible over the next 3 years so that when I turn 50 I will be prepared for the Champions Tour Q-School. Most of my guy friends think it is great (although admittedly most are a little envious); I few think I am nuts. You know, give up the security of a good job to chase a dream with long odds. I say far greater feats have been accomplished against far greater odds than this endeavor. The road is going to be long and hard, but just the kind of challenge I want.

As I write, I have just returned from PGA Tour Q-School (1st Stage at TPC Tampa Bay). I wanted to go to Tour School not so much to play on the Tour as a 47 year old, but for the experience and the benchmark it would provide. Well, to say the least the week was brutal. I knew my first professional event would be tough, but holy cow! I finished in last place out of about 70 golfers, shooting 80-78-78-75=311 (+27). My first professional shot was pushed way right into a lake...talk about a great start to a new career! I had trouble with the back 9 all week, and played the front 9 decent (+3). The experience was invaluable, and I learned alot that will help as I become more comfortable competing professionally...mostly things related to keeping your routine, maintaining focus, and making proper decisions in a stroke play tournament.

Golf is golf, but you have to be in the arena a few times before you feel comfortable. I started playing competitive amatuer golf again a few years ago, and the feeling at Q-School was similar to the first time I played in the NC State Am ( with similar results I might add!). Things got better however, and I became comfortable competing at that level. I qualified for the US Mid-Am this summer, shooting 68 in the qualifier to be medalist, won my club championship at Forsyth CC against a good field, lowered my handicap to +4, shot 62 twice in casual rounds this year, and generally played well most of the summer. I know that being comfortable playing at this level will also come with time.

Anyway, as you can imagine, the ride back to NC could have been somber, except for 3 reasons. First, my oldest daughter Ann Howell was home for Fall break from UNC-Chapel Hill, and I wanted to see her as well as the rest of my crew. Second, golfers need to have a short memory, and this was just one tournament. One of my buddies, Rich Pettorini told me that my expectations were low, and they were certainly met!! Finally, I had played in an event that virtually every golfer dreams about. I fell short of what I had hoped to accomplish, and that stings a little, but that is good. Those scores are out there for public scrutiny and you must accept it and not worry. All you can do is try your best on every shot in every round.

One other cool thing happened last week. I met the author John Feinstein in Tampa. He is doing some research for a book on Q-School, and he was out at the course Thursday. He thought my story was interesting, took my number and said he would call me for his book. He probably says that alot.

Anyway, next week I am off to the Hooters Tour ranking school in south Georgia. I plan on taking all I learned from this past week and putting it to good use there. Wish me luck.