Just returned from 2 Sunbelt events in south Georgia and played well for 3 rounds and poorly for 3 rounds. The first tournament was at Sanctuary Cove and I shot 82-72-82. I have been experimenting with some new contacts and played the first and third rounds with them, and my depth perception was off for sure. One might think after the first round why I would play with them in the final round, but it was raining and I thought it would help not to have to worry about water on my lenses, etc. Shows what you get for thinking.

From there I went to laurel Island Links 20 miles south down I95. I shot 73-80-72 and had some terrible breaks in the second round particularly. How about hitting a sprinkler head just off the green and going OB on a par 3? Or hitting it virtually down the middle on the 2nd hole and the ball taking a dead left into the marsh. I had 8 penalty strokes in that round, and hit 13 greens! I played well the last day despite a triple on hole #9. My putting has been fairly good, averaging under 30 putts so far this year. I also am converting nearly 25% of my birdie opportunities when I do hit the green. I need to avoid the big holes, and despite a few bad rounds am confident that I will put it together. I am off for 2 weeks before playing 2 events in Florida and one in Atlanta next month.

I was able to see several friends on this trip and made some new ones as well. I was able to see my Aunt Carol and Lou, and enjoyed a fun evening with them. They are preparing to see the country in a camper/RV, and both are very excited.

I also spent some time with Jed Simmons and his family, who happened to be at Sea Island for spring break. It is always great catching up with Jed, and it seems like no matter how much time passes between visits, we fall right into things as if we see each other daily.

I met a new friend, Lewis Gardner and his Mom at Laurel Island. Lou is a golf nut, a Dookie and a WFU law grad (in that order) who lives in Pittsburgh. We played some holes together during my practice round, as he was visiting his mother who had just moved to the area. We found out we had many common classmates, and the three of us enjoyed a great dinner at Osprey Cove CC after playing.

I also saw Chris Scully and Ken Murrah and parts of their families in Ponte Vedra Beach for some pizza. It was good to catch up with two classmates from B-school.

Finally, I spent some time with Brian Cook and his wife Traci, and their 4 1/2 month old twins James and Catherine (sp?). They are doing well, and Traci may be the best cook in all of Florida. She serves up an outstanding meal each time I visit, and it seems like she just whips it up like no big deal. Good food and good company for sure!

Anyway, it is good to be home and I will be practicing hard to straighten out the sloppy areas. It is early in the year, and I believe that I will score better sooner rather than later. More down the road...