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.