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

[CMCSGolf]

3 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Experience and doing it over and over. I couldn't tell you how many times I was under par coming down the stretch and finished bogey, double, double, blah blah blah. After you do it enough, the nerves get less and less. I've tried the, "let's see how low I can go" technique, and in my opinion, it's a cheap mental trick that doesn't work most of the time. I've started watching pros to see what they do when they reach a good score, and i've seen that it's no different from an even par round. They've been there and failed just as much as they've succeeded at finishing, that it just turns into another round no matter what they shoot.

So in the end, my advice is to go out there and fail. Don't be afraid of failure, because it will happen. Eventually, you will succeed. And you can look back and remember the times that you've succeeded and draw confidence from them.

I think that's a fair critique.  You can trick yourself occasionally into a low round with self talk and I have seen it work (personally and with others).  Doing it a lot will get you comfortable.  One common trick to start the process is to play the forward tees at your course. Theoretically you'll be under par and learn that this is a normal spot to be in.

[dmecca2]

1 hour ago, CMCSGolf said:

I think that's a fair critique.  You can trick yourself occasionally into a low round with self talk and I have seen it work (personally and with others).  Doing it a lot will get you comfortable.  One common trick to start the process is to play the forward tees at your course. Theoretically you'll be under par and learn that this is a normal spot to be in.

Ya it can occasionally work, but I would argue in those circumstances you would've played well anyway. The forward tees trick is good as well. Teaches you that a number is only a number.

[ThinkingPlus]

16 minutes ago, dmecca2 said:

Ya it can occasionally work, but I would argue in those circumstances you would've played well anyway. The forward tees trick is good as well. Teaches you that a number is only a number.

Playing forward also applies some "should birdie" pressure. I feel that playing my current home course (CR is abysmal at 67.6 - must make 4 birdies minimum to shoot scratch). You guys would get it even more.

[Mike_C]

Played in my state senior am this past weekend, just couldn't get any consistency going.  First day made 2 really stupid doubles, short sided myself by hitting trees on the approaches, then poor pitches, threw away two shots right there, also two 3 putts, 35 putts total, not very good, ended up at +7, 78.  Day 2 went off the back 9 and started solid, had 10-12 footers for birdie on the first two holes, which I missed, had 2 three putts soon after and turned in + 2.  I figured I needed to shoot probably +3 on the day to just make the cut.  Finally made a birdie on our 10th hole, settled down a bit, hit a few good shots, and scrambled well when I didn't, as I did make a couple of great up and downs on my 15th and 17th holes.   Got to 18 +9 total, and it is a fairly easy par 5 so I felt I should at least make the cut.  Even still almost screwed that up, drove it way right off the tee (strong left to right wind), hit over some trees then into the left rough on the second, and sort of a flier wedge on third.  Left myself a 50 footer for birdie that I would have had to putt through the fringe to get near the hole.  I said just take your medicine and keep it on the green,, 6 feet left pin high would be OK.  So what did I do? I blew it 15 feet past, then holded the longest putt I made the entire tournament for par.....

 

Day 3 was sort of like the first day in reverse, started on the back and couldn't get it going, 2 poor bogies from the just off the fringe to start, a couple more bad short sided approaches,  a three putt and a misjudged wedge into the wind on a par 5 and a slick 42....  3 putt on 10 for another bogey, then 7 straight pars and then the only birdie on the day to finish for even par on the back, 77 total.

 

Conditions were pretty windy, it was in Amarillo after all.  Rough was pretty thick, not US open thick but I did lose 2 balls in the rough in the practice round.  Greens were bent grass and pretty good, I was very disappointed in how I putted though...35 putts on day 1 and 3.   Overall, really not that terrible for me, I did not come in feeling like I was swinging or putting very well, and hadn't for several weeks.   But some good players didn't made the cut, but the usual suspects for Texas were at the top of the leaderboard, the guy who won, this is his 3rd in 6 years, another former champion was 2nd, last year's champion tied for third....

 

I will add this note about last year's winner, and just a reminder about marking your ball.   I played with the defending champion in round 2, he was leading after round one after a 67.  He shot even on the first 9 and was still in the lead.  On our 10th hole (#1), he and another guy drove it on the same line about 10 yards apart, one in the fairway and one in the rough.  They didn't look close enough and ended up playing each others ball.  The caught the mistake on the green, but of course had to go back and replay from where their balls were.   The leader then pushed a wedge into the short sided bunker into a horrible lie, he couldn't even advance it towards the hole, had to try to go sideways.  He didn't even get it out of the sand.  He did get the next one out to about 10 feet then holed that for a triple bogey.  He ended up losing the tournament by 3........   The moral of the story of course is to check your ball and mark it well.   I must say he and the other guy (he finished 10th overall)  took it pretty well, both were class acts. 

 

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Mike_C

[Obee]

Ojai Senior Cup was last weekend. Wonderful 54-hole senior (55+) event at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai, California.
 

Can't say enough about the tournament, the set up, or the field. Elite players. Course set up quite differently every day. Just a blast.

 

Pleased with my finish against some world-class senior ams, most of whom were former D-I players and/or pros. 
 

Results: 

 

https://2023ojaiseniorcup.golfgenius.com/pages/4032223

 

Tournament website:

https://www.ojaiseniorcup.com/

 

[ThinkingPlus]

20 minutes ago, Obee said:

Ojai Senior Cup was last weekend. Wonderful 54-hole senior (55+) event at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai, California.
 

Can't say enough about the tournament, the set up, or the field. Elite players. Course set up quite differently every day. Just a blast.

 

Pleased with my finish against some world-class senior ams, most of whom were former D-I players and/or pros. 
 

Results: 

 

https://2023ojaiseniorcup.golfgenius.com/pages/4032223

 

Tournament website:

https://www.ojaiseniorcup.com/

 

Very nice. Solid play. It blows me away that Soule Park hosts such nice events now. I don't think we ever played there after the renovation. Played it fairly often before though. Always an interesting drive to Ojai with the winding road and crude oil seeping out of the hills.

[Obee]

On 8/22/2023 at 5:37 AM, dmecca2 said:

Qualified for my first USGA event yesterday! The USGA four-ball at Philly Cricket Club next May. We made some putts early and played solid golf on the tougher back 9, but bogeyed the 230 yard par 3 16th hole. Checked the scores and saw that we needed to finish birdie birdie to make it, but my partner hit an awesome shot on the par 5 17th to 6 feet and drained the eagle to tie the lead. Had to wait 4 hours for the scores to post, but the number held and we made it without a playoff.

Have been working more hours than ever the last six months. Hardly posting. WELL DONE, SIR!!!

My buddy, Paul Rice (59), and his buddy and partner, Brent Peeke (43?) qualified! They will likely be the oldest team, BY FAR in the field. Say hello to them if you see them!

[dmecca2]

13 hours ago, Obee said:

Have been working more hours than ever the last six months. Hardly posting. WELL DONE, SIR!!!

My buddy, Paul Rice (59), and his buddy and partner, Brent Peeke (43?) qualified! They will likely be the oldest team, BY FAR in the field. Say hello to them if you see them!

I will! Can't wait, should be fun!

 

Since my last post I've played 2 tournaments. The first was our areas annual Coal Scuttle, where each club sends their best 5 guys for a college style event. Our course hosted the first round and the weather was awful. A tropical storm was rolling through, and a +1 round was tied for the lead. The second and final round was cut short to 9 holes before we even started and on the second to last hole, I holed out with a 9 iron to leapfrog into the lead and win the event. Our club also won the team portion for the second straight year! And the two wins in that event locked up my first Player of the Year honors for my region!! It's been quite the year

 

Next, I was invited to play in the Challenge Matches for the GAP region, which is a fun event where the top amateurs play against the top Philadelphia section Pros. I think the Pros are winning 22-8 in the standings, so a tough task to beat them. I got matched against a top pro in the area, but came through for the team by firing an unofficial course record at Saucon Valley Grace course. A 65 (-7) would have beat the previous course record by 2, but since it was match play, I don't get my name on a wall or anything. Overall, a fitting end to my best summer ever.

[Pepe8714]

On 10/28/2023 at 8:05 AM, Obee said:

Ojai Senior Cup was last weekend. Wonderful 54-hole senior (55+) event at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai, California.
 

Can't say enough about the tournament, the set up, or the field. Elite players. Course set up quite differently every day. Just a blast.

 

Pleased with my finish against some world-class senior ams, most of whom were former D-I players and/or pros. 
 

Results: 

 

https://2023ojaiseniorcup.golfgenius.com/pages/4032223

 

Tournament website:

https://www.ojaiseniorcup.com/

 

Hi Obee, hope you’re doing well! 
 

I’ve recently moved back to LA area and was wondering if you had a link available to your amazing tournament spreadsheet? 
 

Looking forward to seeing you out there this year! 

[Obee]

On 2/7/2024 at 7:06 PM, Pepe8714 said:

Hi Obee, hope you’re doing well! 
 

I’ve recently moved back to LA area and was wondering if you had a link available to your amazing tournament spreadsheet? 
 

Looking forward to seeing you out there this year! 

Hey there! Just saw this. Drop me a PM with your email address and I will send it along. 🙂

[Obee]

First tournament of the year coming up: SCGA Senior Foursomes (alternate shot). Both players 55+.

 

I'm playing with a very solid player (Mark Sear) and we will have fun. I have had great success over the years in alternate shot tournaments, as I try to pick guys who hit it long so that we can capitalize on my solid play from 60 to 160. It's worked out nicely with many top-10 finishes over the years, and several runners-up. Have yet to win one, but this is the year, I can feel it.

Tournament is at Temecula Creek Inn (Creek/Oaks). My game is a mess (minimal golf in SoCal right now due to all the rain) but I'm ready to rally!

[bilbry57]

Good luck David you always play better in the bigger events 

[bilbry57]

On 2/22/2024 at 2:17 PM, bilbry57 said:

Good luck David you always play better in the bigger events 

Saw you finished 3rd in open division congrats.  Scores were high both divisions conditions must have been tough

[Obee]

31 minutes ago, bilbry57 said:

Saw you finished 3rd in open division congrats.  Scores were high both divisions conditions must have been tough

That was last year. This year was ... not good .... 😞

[bilbry57]

11 minutes ago, Obee said:

That was last year. This year was ... not good .... 😞

 

14 minutes ago, Obee said:

That was last year. This year was ... not good .... 😞

Did not catch that it was 2023🤣🤣must be a tough track lots of good players 2 over wins 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

First event of the year coming up this weekend, regional mid-am event here in Texas. 84 players, no cut, guaranteed 3 tournament rounds. Haven't been playing at all really until this last week and saw some positive signs. Should be interesting and looking forward to competing again.

[Obee]

I have my qualifier for our Mid-Am coming up this Friday. Looking forward to it. As the weather warms up here in SoCal (it's been a very cold and we winter here) my body is feeling better and I finally see a path to playing well again.

[Obee]

Played solid golf on Friday. T-6 with an even par 72, but there were 8 of us at that number, so they card off. 😞

 

i shot 38 on the back (my front!) so I am 2nd alternate. 
 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/4539095

[TLUBulldogGolf]

On 3/18/2024 at 9:33 AM, TLUBulldogGolf said:

First event of the year coming up this weekend, regional mid-am event here in Texas. 84 players, no cut, guaranteed 3 tournament rounds. Haven't been playing at all really until this last week and saw some positive signs. Should be interesting and looking forward to competing again.

 

76-71-74 to finish T16. Had to get the tournament jitters out the first round, played solidly the second, and the last day it blew 20-30 so I was reasonably happy with how I grinded it out. Overall satisfied as my preparation was kind of lacking.

[Obee]

Well ... it's tournament season. Have played a couple already, but have been so busy with work I haven't even been posting.

This coming weekend is The Kelly Cup at Lakeside GC in Toluca Lake (15 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles) and home club to guys like Vinnie Jones, Joe Pesci, Andy Garcia, Justin Timberlake, Alfonso Ribeiro, and a bunch of others. It's my favorite weekend of the year, as the course is always pristine, challenging, and fun -- and they treat us all like members when we're there. It's just an amazing weekend that I wish everyone had the chance to experience.

Check out these indexes playing. I'm in the Senior Flight now and my LI is only +0.8, so I won't be contending in the overall flight of mid-ams and seniors (we all play the same tees). There was a time when my index was among the lowest in the field (+3.8, I think, was my low), and I had a chance to finish well. My best finish ever was a 5th place, but those days are long gone. I'll be pleased to get a top 5 in the 14-man Senior Flight, as I'm playing against some absolute BEASTS in that flight (Tim Hogarth and Mark Strickland among them).

Look at these indexes at the top. Wow. This is a flighted tournament of 30+ year olds with a Championship flight of 24 players, a Senior flight of 16, and then 9 other flights of varying indexes. The 2nd flight has all guys that are 0.x and below. The 9th flight is guys up to a 12 index, I believe. Always so, so much fun. Will post pics. Below the indexes is me playing a few years back with none other than "Carlton" in the Derby.
 

Handle	H.I.
	+6.6
	+5.2
	+5.2
	+4.8
	+4.6
	+4.3
	+4.1
	+4.0
	+4.0
	+3.8
	+3.8
	+3.5
	+3.3
	+3.2
	+2.9
	+2.9
	+2.9
	+2.5
	+2.2
	+2.2
	+2.1
	+2.0
	+1.9
	+1.9
	+1.9
	+1.7
	+1.7
	+1.7
	+1.6
	+1.4
	+1.3
	+1.3
	+1.3
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.2
	+1.1
	+0.9
	+0.9
	+0.9
	+0.8
	+0.8
	+0.7
	+0.7
	+0.6
	+0.5
	+0.5
	+0.4
	+0.4
	+0.4
	+0.4
	+0.4
	+0.3
	+0.3
	+0.3
	+0.3
	+0.2
	+0.2
	+0.2

 

 

[Mike_C]

I played in the Texas North Senior a few weeks ago, did not do that great.   We had a torrential downpour the night before as a front came through, temperatures went from 80+ to about 55-60, but the winds blew hard after that from the north, 20-30 MPH with gusts to 40 MPH. Welcome to Texas in the spring.  The rain soaked the course and shut down the driving range. So, no warm up and cold temperatures, bumpy greens, and howling winds, just perfect to shoot an 81 on the first day with 37 putts (4 three putts).

 

Day 2 was better , as the winds were 10-15 mph and it was a bit warmer, but overall not what I wanted, 75 with 2 three putts , missed the top 15 by a shot, so now I have to go through local qualifying for the State Senior.   

 

 

[Obee]

Just now, Mike_C said:

I played in the Texas North Senior a few weeks ago, did not do that great.   We had a torrential downpour the night before as a front came through, temperatures went from 80+ to about 55-60, but the winds blew hard after that from the north, 20-30 MPH with gusts to 40 MPH. Welcome to Texas in the spring.  The rain soaked the course and shut down the driving range. So, no warm up and cold temperatures, bumpy greens, and howling winds, just perfect to shoot an 81 on the first day with 37 putts (4 three putts).

 

Day 2 was better , as the winds were 10-15 mph and it was a bit warmer, but overall not what I wanted, 75 with 2 three putts , missed the top 15 by a shot, so now I have to go through local qualifying for the State Senior.   

 

 

Weather has been CRAZY this year, man! Sorry you didn't score your best, darn it...

 

[Mike_C]

12 minutes ago, Obee said:

Weather has been CRAZY this year, man! Sorry you didn't score your best, darn it...

 

It has been pretty wild at times.  We had 9+ inches of rain in 2 days here in East Texas a week or so ago.  I thought for sure our course was going to be totally flooded out and closed for days and days, but the creeks barely went over the banks for a short time, the sun came out and the wind blew and dried things up, and it was closed for only a day after the rain.

 

What also stunk about that tournament was that I played a practice round a couple days before.  It was warm, strong winds from the south, which is the prevailing wind, and the course was rock hard and the ball was rolling out like crazy.  The exact opposite wind and ground conditions that we actually played.....

[Obee]

Upcoming events:

• SCGA Senior Am Qualifier this Thursday at El Dorado
  • Have a good chance to qualify here. My kind of course. I think I'm 3 for 3 qualifying here, including the Cal Am not too many years ago when I was in my 50's.
• US Senior Open Qualifier at San Luis Obisbo CC on Monday
  • Very little chance to qualify here. Can't get in a practice round. Plays very long (I'm very, very short), and have to walk. Hips give me trouble when I walk. @MonteScheinblum was medalist(?) there last year, I believe.

[Ty_Webb]

47 minutes ago, Obee said:

Upcoming events:

• SCGA Senior Am Qualifier this Thursday at El Dorado
  • Have a good chance to qualify here. My kind of course. I think I'm 3 for 3 qualifying here, including the Cal Am not too many years ago when I was in my 50's.
• US Senior Open Qualifier at San Luis Obisbo CC on Monday
  • Very little chance to qualify here. Can't get in a practice round. Plays very long (I'm very, very short), and have to walk. Hips give me trouble when I walk. @MonteScheinblum was medalist(?) there last year, I believe.

 

Good luck!

 

I'm right in the thick of things here right now. Had first individual tournament of the year on 5/2. I played really quite well for the most part, but managed to make three doubles. One birdie and one bogey meant 78 and not qualifying for match play. One of the doubles was a bad shot that was totally in jail. Another was a big flier from the right semi, poor chip from fescue and three putts (lovely). The third was a yippy chip, so that was fun. 13 GIRs though, so definitely some good signs.

 

Then yesterday qualifier for the Pub Links. Again hit 13 GIRs, albeit on an easier course. No doubles this time though. Two birdies, four bogeys and got through. I'm flying the evening of the actual event though, so I'm not sure I'll be able to play. It's not exactly close to the airport...

 

Tomorrow is the qualifier for the Long Island Open. The event proper is at Piping Rock, which I've never played and is one of the top courses on the island (not top top, but one rung down from Shinny and NGLA). Hope to continue with my relatively decent form. It would be nice to see some putts dropping and get the birdie count north of the bogey count. 

[Ty_Webb]

On 5/14/2024 at 12:16 PM, Ty_Webb said:

Tomorrow is the qualifier for the Long Island Open. The event proper is at Piping Rock, which I've never played and is one of the top courses on the island (not top top, but one rung down from Shinny and NGLA). Hope to continue with my relatively decent form. It would be nice to see some putts dropping and get the birdie count north of the bogey count. 

 

Well that did not go well. Got absolutely soaked. 12 pars, one bogey, five doubles. Three of those I didn't really hit it that bad. Just some short game struggles and one occasion where I aimed 10 yards left with the ball about a foot below my feet with a 9 iron. Ball did not move at all. Wound up dead above the hole in the rough. Onwards and upwards though.

[Obee]

Dictating as I drive..

 

So the SCGA Senior Am qualifier was on Thursday. I got there in plenty of time. Actually did about an hour of work and finished up with about an hour to prepare, which is rare for me.

 

I putted for a bit to get used to the speed of the greens which were about 11 or maybe a bit faster. I chipped and pitched because that has been a trouble spot for me recently. I feel like I'm getting my touch back after rediscovering my technique: I need to have the ball VERY forward-feeling when I want to hit a lofted chip or pitch. I now also choose whether I'm going to hit the ball high or low and and alter my technique accordingly. No more "In between" as Mickelson says. Either forward or back. That's definitely helping. 
 

I then hit some balls and was ready to tee off. I hit a nice 5w down the middle leaving me 152. I hit a cut 6h to 10 feet and made a curling left to right putt to start off 1-under. The next hole I hit 8i to 4 feet but missed the putt. It was at this moment that I realized it is going to be a difficult day on the greens. I actually mentioned that to some guys on the practice screen that the greens on the course are always bumpy and fast.  Thursday was no different. We already had a three and a four putt in our group through two holes. 

 

Number three I step up and from 158, I had a trap-draw 7h to 3 1/2 feet. I missed that also. So I am now 1-under through three and I should be three under. I am completely in control of my body and my emotions, however, and I will not allow the missed putts to affect me negatively.  I hit the fairway and green on 4 and 5 and 2-putt. I am now -1 through 5.

 

This is where it gets interesting…

 

I hit a nice drive on 6, but push it just a bit to where I have to negotiate an overhanging tree. I have 145 and I elect to hit a big slice 7H around the tree. I pulled it and I missed the green by three paces. The pin is front center on a significant slope from back to front.  I cannot putt the ball even though I am fairway height because I'm just outside of two paces from the sprinkler head that is in my way, so I am forced to chip/pitch the ball.

 

As mentioned earlier, pitching has been giving me fits lately and I have been getting a bit ... "yippy." This is especially difficult for me to accept because for the longest time  my game around the greens wasn't just good, it was, at times, stupid good. Oh well. 
 

As I mentioned earlier, I have been recommitting to my short game and I played this ball forward with an open face and I hit a near perfect little pitch shot that roled right by the hole to just inside 3 feet. Of course, I missed that putt. Then I walked up to my resulting two footer and lip that out and ended up with a 6. I was absolutely dumbfounded. I felt like I had been shot. Not a good feeling.

 

I was determined not to let it get me down however. I knew that somewhere between 74 and 76 was going to qualify so I just put my head down and kept making pars. 

 

Long story short, I made a couple loose swings and made three bogeys on the back nine, one with a 3-jab from 18 feet on 17 that put me on a pace for 76 which, when checking the scoreboard, I realized was not going to qualify. I needed a birdie on 18 to either qualify or get an alternate spot.

 

I hit a decent drive on the par 5 18th, then layed up just short of a small lake leaving myself exactly 100 yards to an extreme back pin. I knew I had to make it or get it close, so I hit a trappy 54 to 4 1/2 feet. I made it.

 

Rarely have I been as proud of myself as on that last hole. I have done things like that before, but I am getting older and my body just does not do what I need it to much anymore. But it did that time. 🙂

 

That put me at 75 which was right on the number. I ended up getting edged out by a late 74 so I am first alternate, which means I am a virtual certainty to get into the field for the SCGA senior.  it is at Soule Park, in Ojai, a track that I absolutely love to play and play very well for my ability. If I make it into the field, I look forward to competing and challenging for a top 10. 
 

The 75 contained four 3-putts and two missed puts inside 4 feet. The longest putt I made all day (10 ft) was on number one.

 

Interestingly, I asked the pro shop after the round if they owned a roller. The attendant said that they do. I asked him if they used it for qualifiers, and he said that they do not.

 

What an absolute waste. The greens are healthy and the practice putting green is excellent. The greens on the course are an absolute shame. Afterwards, I overheard multiple guys talking about three putts and four putts on the greens. Very unfortunate. 

 

I just looked at stats that I kept for an 18 month period back about seven years ago. I averaged one 3-putt every three rounds. I would frequently go four or five rounds without a single 3-jab. Sigh...

 

In my late 30s and early 40s, a ball-striking day like that would've resulted in a 68 or 69 for me at the worst, 70. Oh well. I am just not that guy anymore.

[bilbry57]

Great write up David glad to hear you salvaged the round by birdieing 18. I haven't played El Dorado in 40 years but back then the greens were never great. However, you would think for a SCGA qualifier they would have them at least playable.  Good luck the rest of summer hope the back is doing okay.

Bill

Edited May 18, 2024 by bilbry57

[Obee]

6 hours ago, bilbry57 said:

Great write up David glad to hear you salvaged the round by birdieing 18. I haven't played El Dorado in 40 years but back then the greens were never great. However, you would think for a SCGA qualifier they would have them at least playable.  Good luck the rest of summer hope the back is doing okay.

Bill

Thanks Bill. Dealing with a bunch of other things as well. My mind is in many different places right now.

[bilbry57]

1 hour ago, Obee said:

Thanks Bill. Dealing with a bunch of other things as well. My mind is in many different places right now.

You always play well at Ojai just need a hot putter