WRXers Scratch Amateur Tournaments Thread: Commitments, Results, etc....

[b.helts]

Finished Dunedin Stroke Play this past weekend and, I am of two minds. I played well and probably should have won. But I finished poorly and ended up T5. 
 

I haven’t yet gone through the poor finish in my head to figure out what went wrong. But I know my game is coming around and getting better. Currently sit 5th in Order of Merit and am making good contacts and hopefully future friends in the New Zealand golf scene.

 

I’m really having fun playing and competing again and that makes me very happy. Now I just need to nail down my mental processes when the pressure ramps up. I am confident I’ll get there. 

[FuzzyKnuckles]

I see the love a few posts ago for GolfLogix. Anyone else use Strackaline books? Either of them worth it?

[otto6457]

I've used Strakaline books for many years. They are worth it if you spend the time to fill them up with useful notes from practice rounds, or if you are likely to play the same course over several different seasons.  I find them less valuable than just using Google Maps if you aren't playing practice rounds, or it's just a one round non USGA or State Qualifier that you haven't pinned your season on.  Using Google Maps for free can get you a good understanding of the layout, water hazards, bunkers, and driving targets. You can print those and use them if you need the visuals when you're playing. It all depends on what you feel like is important for your game.

 

Since I've moved over to DECADE I've been printing the DECADE yardage books.  They are quite good with some nice features.   I think I get to print 48 books a year as a part of my subscription.

[FuzzyKnuckles]

16 hours ago, otto6457 said:

I've used Strakaline books for many years. They are worth it if you spend the time to fill them up with useful notes from practice rounds, or if you are likely to play the same course over several different seasons.  I find them less valuable than just using Google Maps if you aren't playing practice rounds, or it's just a one round non USGA or State Qualifier that you haven't pinned your season on.  Using Google Maps for free can get you a good understanding of the layout, water hazards, bunkers, and driving targets. You can print those and use them if you need the visuals when you're playing. It all depends on what you feel like is important for your game.

 

Since I've moved over to DECADE I've been printing the DECADE yardage books.  They are quite good with some nice features.   I think I get to print 48 books a year as a part of my subscription.

Thank you, great input. I appreciate it

[cardoustie]

Finished end of Jan Golfweek Senior POY race inside the top 20

 

played the Senior Jones Cup last week.  Sea Island Seaside course, home of RSM, great course

 

Finished almost Middle of the field of 84 … which I’m somewhat OK with … on my first visit

 

Five 3 jacks day 1, couldn’t get speed or lines right and missed 3 five footers on last 4 holes.  My partner said he turned an 80 onto a 74 and I turned a 72 into a 78.  Very solid day 2.   Day 3 I had a penalty stroke from 1 bad driver swing and a double on a par 3 after a crap 7i into a waste area.  Drove it exceptionally well over 3 days

 

I’d be happy if I was 3 lower day 1 and 2 lower day 3, top 30ish 

 

Very strong field of WAGR players that have seen final 8 of US Senior Am and played in US Senior Opens 

 

Also played with the CEO of Fujikura, great guy, bombs it, had the low final round

 

Playing Concession twice this week with two top 10 worldwide seniors

 

note from playing with two highly ranked US Seniors days 1 and 2, I need a better short game greenside, wizards with 60* wedges.  One of these guys beat Jay Haas head to head in rd 3 of a US Senior Open

[Obee]

Another runner-up finish in an SCGA event. I think that is my sixth. Had an absolute blast playing my favorite format: foursomes (alternate shot)

 

My partner, Scott, and I played quite steady other than three or four holes. I hit a couple untimely shots that cost us big-time. Otherwise we are right there to win it. Of course, everyone can say that...

 

https://scga-2025scgafoursomeschampionship.golfgenius.com/pages/5088254

[Obee]

On 3/3/2025 at 5:03 AM, cardoustie said:

Finished end of Jan Golfweek Senior POY race inside the top 20

 

played the Senior Jones Cup last week.  Sea Island Seaside course, home of RSM, great course

 

Finished almost Middle of the field of 84 … which I’m somewhat OK with … on my first visit

 

Five 3 jacks day 1, couldn’t get speed or lines right and missed 3 five footers on last 4 holes.  My partner said he turned an 80 onto a 74 and I turned a 72 into a 78.  Very solid day 2.   Day 3 I had a penalty stroke from 1 bad driver swing and a double on a par 3 after a crap 7i into a waste area.  Drove it exceptionally well over 3 days

 

I’d be happy if I was 3 lower day 1 and 2 lower day 3, top 30ish 

 

Very strong field of WAGR players that have seen final 8 of US Senior Am and played in US Senior Opens 

 

Also played with the CEO of Fujikura, great guy, bombs it, had the low final round

 

Playing Concession twice this week with two top 10 worldwide seniors

 

note from playing with two highly ranked US Seniors days 1 and 2, I need a better short game greenside, wizards with 60* wedges.  One of these guys beat Jay Haas head to head in rd 3 of a US Senior Open

who were the players???

[b.helts]

Shot 70-70 for 140 (-2) in a one-day 36 hole event here in Dunedin today. Small field but some very fine players and won by 1. Hot damn!

 

Am now at the point where I’m making birdies. Had 10 today so things are looking up. Need to tidy up a few things but it’s easier to make fewer bogies than it is to make more birdies. So my game is coming around!

[Petethreeput]

Saturday I did something I have never done. I signed up for the State Sr. Am tournament. Small state, so I don't know if this is consistent with how other states run their state tournaments, but they run it along side (amongst) the State Am. The field is small, only 24 are accepted and it is by handicap on May 16th. Not sure what got into me, but I thought why not see if I qualify? The host course this year is pretty popular amongst state players so the estimated handicap cut off will be 5. Last year, on a less desirable course the high handicap was a 9.

[Mike_C]

53 minutes ago, Petethreeput said:

Saturday I did something I have never done. I signed up for the State Sr. Am tournament. Small state, so I don't know if this is consistent with how other states run their state tournaments, but they run it along side (amongst) the State Am. The field is small, only 24 are accepted and it is by handicap on May 16th. Not sure what got into me, but I thought why not see if I qualify? The host course this year is pretty popular amongst state players so the estimated handicap cut off will be 5. Last year, on a less desirable course the high handicap was a 9.

 

About 20 years ago I wanted to get back into competitive golf, and was living in New Mexico at the time.  I signed up for the State Mid-Am, it was played in Farmington NM, I expected a somewhat big field, but they only had about 30 play.   I played the next year also, this time  in Albuquerque and expected a bigger field because that is where most of the state lives, and pretty much the same 30 people showed up.  I even signed up for the State Am that year, no local qualifiers, just by handicap.   I think they got a total of about 160 for that, probably 50 of those were college and high school kids......  I think the senior Am gets like 15 players in New Mexico.....the joys of small states...... I live in Texas now, a different story......

[cardoustie]

On 3/18/2025 at 11:50 AM, Mike_C said:

 

About 20 years ago I wanted to get back into competitive golf, and was living in New Mexico at the time.  I signed up for the State Mid-Am, it was played in Farmington NM, I expected a somewhat big field, but they only had about 30 play.   I played the next year also, this time  in Albuquerque and expected a bigger field because that is where most of the state lives, and pretty much the same 30 people showed up.  I even signed up for the State Am that year, no local qualifiers, just by handicap.   I think they got a total of about 160 for that, probably 50 of those were college and high school kids......  I think the senior Am gets like 15 players in New Mexico.....the joys of small states...... I live in Texas now, a different story......

That is crazy … in Ontario for the Senior Am we get 6 or 7 qualifiers with 70-80 per site and 10% get in 

thankfully, I’m exempt 

[Obee]

Yeah, in California, it's ... crazy. 
 

Some of our fields fill up so quickly it makes your head spin.

[Ty_Webb]

6 minutes ago, Obee said:

Yeah, in California, it's ... crazy. 
 

Some of our fields fill up so quickly it makes your head spin.

 

Long Island Mid-Am last year was at the Bridge. Popular spot apparently. It opened at 10am on a Monday and by about 2:30 it was wait list only. They play that late in the year, so only 100 in the field, but still. That was wild. Most of the qualifiers fill up eventually, but it takes a few weeks normally.

[Liquifire]

Mid-am golf is alive and well in Utah... the qualifying opened at 9 am on the 18th.  The 3 SLC area sites had completely filled with 84 players and 12 on a waitlist before the day had ended...I didn't even have a handicap ready to go yet 🤬  The St. George site only has 58 as of now, but I can't bring myself to do a 10 hour overnight trip + hotel for that.  Maybe I'm not as committed as I thought. 😅

 

One day later my scores had posted, so I was able to sign up for the state am qualifier at my home course.  I guess I will play with the big dogs this year. 

 

Are USGA local qualifiers first come first serve, or do they go by handicap?

Edited March 20 by Liquifire

[Petethreeput]

1 hour ago, Liquifire said:

Mid-am golf is alive and well in Utah... the qualifying opened at 9 am on the 18th.  The 3 SLC area sites had completely filled with 84 players and 12 on a waitlist before the day had ended...I didn't even have a handicap ready to go yet 🤬  The St. George site only has 58 as of now, but I can't bring myself to do a 10 hour overnight trip + hotel for that.  Maybe I'm not as committed as I thought. 😅

 

One day later my scores had posted, so I was able to sign up for the state am qualifier at my home course.  I guess I will play with the big dogs this year. 

 

Are USGA local qualifiers first come first serve, or do they go by handicap?

Obviously UT is different, but our State Senior Am (55+) has no play in qualifiers.  It is seriously, X number sign up, and they take the 24 lowest handicaps on May 16 and they play.  That’s it, that’s the Sr Am in MT.

Edited March 20 by Petethreeput

[Ty_Webb]

1 hour ago, Liquifire said:

Mid-am golf is alive and well in Utah... the qualifying opened at 9 am on the 18th.  The 3 SLC area sites had completely filled with 84 players and 12 on a waitlist before the day had ended...I didn't even have a handicap ready to go yet 🤬  The St. George site only has 58 as of now, but I can't bring myself to do a 10 hour overnight trip + hotel for that.  Maybe I'm not as committed as I thought. 😅

 

One day later my scores had posted, so I was able to sign up for the state am qualifier at my home course.  I guess I will play with the big dogs this year. 

 

Are USGA local qualifiers first come first serve, or do they go by handicap?

 

I believe first come first served, but don't quote me

[Mike_C]

16 hours ago, Obee said:

Yeah, in California, it's ... crazy. 
 

Some of our fields fill up so quickly it makes your head spin.

I'm playing in State North Senior Am here in about 10 days.   Sign up started Jan 29th 9am sharp, 60 Senior spots and 24 super senior, and there are exemptions.   Demand for this event is never really super huge, weather can be iffy, and it is being played on a public course this year, so not a course you can't normally just go out and play.

 

I logged in right at 9am on my phone, took me maybe a minute to complete, and I was initially waitlisted.......I was told I was first on the list and did get in several weeks ago, but there were something like 40 people waitlisted, 20 or so for super seniors, My friend logged in at 9:20 for super seniors, and was like 10th on the waitlist......that is crazy.   

[Sean124]

I shot -1 at Aguila in Phoenix today to qualify on the number for the AZ State Am. 
 

I was a nervous wreck coming down the stretch. I haven’t been in the mix like that in a while. 

[b.helts]

9 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I shot -1 at Aguila in Phoenix today to qualify on the number for the AZ State Am. 
 

I was a nervous wreck coming down the stretch. I haven’t been in the mix like that in a while. 

Nice work! Play well in the state am!

[Sean124]

5 hours ago, b.helts said:

Nice work! Play well in the state am!

Thank you. It’s at Seville County Club where the LPGA played the Ford Championship last year. 

[Ty_Webb]

15 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I shot -1 at Aguila in Phoenix today to qualify on the number for the AZ State Am. 
 

I was a nervous wreck coming down the stretch. I haven’t been in the mix like that in a while. 

 

There is not a lot to compare with the feeling of being under the gun and pulling it off like that. Awesome stuff! 

[Obee]

18 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I shot -1 at Aguila in Phoenix today to qualify on the number for the AZ State Am. 
 

I was a nervous wreck coming down the stretch. I haven’t been in the mix like that in a while. 

How old are you? Did you play high school and or college golf?

[Sean124]

3 hours ago, Obee said:

How old are you? Did you play high school and or college golf?

I’m 43. I played in high school, then didn’t really start playing tournament golf until 2021. 

[Obee]

2 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I’m 43. I played in high school, then didn’t really start playing tournament golf until 2021. 

Love it. It's the greatest, isn't it?

[Sean124]

3 minutes ago, Obee said:

Love it. It's the greatest, isn't it?

Yessir!

[backspace1]

On 3/31/2025 at 2:40 PM, Sean124 said:

I shot -1 at Aguila in Phoenix today to qualify on the number for the AZ State Am. 
 

I was a nervous wreck coming down the stretch. I haven’t been in the mix like that in a while. 

Congrats - one wild front nine you had 

 

[Sean124]

5 minutes ago, backspace1 said:

Congrats - one wild front nine you had 

 

Channeled my inner Speith lol

[Liquifire]

I wanna share notes from my 1st men's league round of the year.  This was obviously not a tournament round...however...since I am coming back to playing regular golf after 20+ years with a desire to get really good and compete, in my head this was a tourney round.  Up to this point in the year I have made a ton of progress, been hitting the ball really well, and put a lot of time into practice.  Shot even a couple times.  So of course I had mentally built this round into something it was never meant to be - a referendum on my game and the first true test of the year where I post a public score.  My first mistake, but the buildup actually did a pretty good job of making the round a mini simulation of a tourney round.

 

I shot 42.

 

Not a comprehensive hole by hole, just notes:

• First hole, par 5.  Pipe it down the left rough.  Trees completely block the second shot.  Squirrely lie.  Stupid thoughts about "you are posting a score" creep in and I don't commit to a good half shot down the fairway.  Second shot ends up in fairway but blocked by branches.  Blade the next one in the bunker.  Ball lying in deep bunker rake so I get all ball and over the green I go.  I'm still in a good spot mentally, but my god, having to damn near jog around the green to the back while playing partners are in close and waiting for me.  Hit a crappy chip to 20 feet and 2 putt.  Double bogey 7...  I have read it, heard about it, tried to visualize it...But you truly have to go through that situation to truly understand how things can absolutely get of hand in an incredible hurry.  It is so difficult to keep calm and focus on routine and the execution of the shot in those situations. 
• Realized my range habits are killing me.  I'm an absolute stud on the range.  I typically go through my bag from W to driver, hitting a shot every 20 seconds on the dot and I can get into a serious groove.  Every shot sometimes good.  Real golf is of course, nothing like that.  Found that when I have to walk to my ball and hit a different club every time, I lose something along the way.  I hit so many dead pulls this round, probably from lower body quitting on the shot.  Focus going forward will be to make 2 practice swings before a shot - one to loosen up and one sim swing to tell my body to get ready to go.  Also changing range habits to focus on just getting warmed up and then hitting a few varying shots while going through the full routine.  
• I need to tattoo "conservative target, committed swing" somewhere on my body.
• Had a hole where pin was back right - I loudly proclaim "you are absolutely dead long here -  the miss is short".  Proceed to half blade one over the green.  Nice.  
• Looking back, did a very poor job of keeping pre-shot consistent.  
• I am revising my expectations for the year.  Focus on process.  It will be so hard for me to not be focused on outcomes and not let my score define me.  It will be very hard for me not to feel embarrassed by poor play.  My focus will be on overcoming those negative feelings, rather than on what I shoot.    
• I was thankful to have the experience.  I count this round as a critical rep in my preparation for actual tourneys.  I was humbled and still had a great time.  Golf is not my job.  I got to get off work early to play.  It was a blast. 

Looking forward to sharing notes from actual tourneys this year. 😄 

[Sean124]

I shot a pair of 69s this weekend for a -4 total to win my club championship 

 

[Obee]

17 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I shot a pair of 69s this weekend for a -4 total to win my club championship 

 

FANTASTIC!!

Details, please! Was anyone close? Was it tight down the stretch? Did you feel nerves?

What tees? Yardage/Rating/Slope?

GREAT JOB!!!