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

[golfortennis]

2 hours ago, Obee said:

Definitely NOT cash. Any cash awards violate the rules of amateur status.

 

Thought they changed that a few years ago?  Up to something like $750 or something.  Something about Rule 3 in amateur status rules.

 

I can see why courses wouldn't want that known because shop credit is a nice little bump to their revenue, and if the winner is from a decent distance away they may never return, thus wanting to spend it while they are there.

 

I hope you didn't cost yourself some cash.  😀 

[FuzzyKnuckles]

3 hours ago, Obee said:

You simply must learn how to his a straight ball when required. Many pros struggle with this as well, and most of them will take out a 3-wood and then it down to hit almost a hook on those types of holes. Are you able to turn over a 3-wood when needed?

I can, but not consistently. Working with my coach in a few weeks to try to narrow down the long game, as it's what cost me unfortunately. I've got the ~230 trusty straight ball down with my hybrid, but need to get the 3w (and driver) in a better spot for normal swings and the straight ball.

[iacas]

3 hours ago, Obee said:

Definitely NOT cash. Any cash awards violate the rules of amateur status.

 

Yeah, that's not true. Up to $1k.

 

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/amateur-status/amateur-status-modernization/rule-3.html

[BigManSlim]

On 7/1/2025 at 10:35 AM, Ty_Webb said:

 

I would look at how I could ideally play without changing too much about my game. Trying to move the ball the way you're not used to is not reliable and honestly I'm almost surely going to score better by changing clubs so that I keep it in play rather than trying to draw my driver (which isn't a thing I can consistently do). If the course really doesn't set up for me, then I'm going to go and enjoy myself playing the best I can and not really worrying too much about whether I get through or not. Then I'd probably make a note to avoid going back there. Having said that it's pretty rare that I come across a course that you can't play your stock shot on.  It might not suit the eye as well or might mean you have to lay back a little more, but it's still playable. DJ pretty much exclusively hits a fade with his driver and he managed to win a Masters. 

Agree completely. Trying to move it both ways is prob not the best idea. Some can do it of course

[Obee]

On 7/22/2025 at 11:45 AM, iacas said:

 

Yeah, that's not true. Up to $1k.

 

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/amateur-status/amateur-status-modernization/rule-3.html

Thanks. I had no idea this happened. Usually on top of stuff like that. I'm getting old...

[Obee]

Well, I played in my U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier yesterday at Soule Park in Ojai, California. 

Round report below. I do these for me. It's a nice way for me to recap and think on what I can do better. These are not everyone's cup of tea, but many people over the years have told me the very much enjoy reading them. So here goes...

 

Soule Park GC: 6,610, 71.6/125
Greens are SLOW (9.5), but firm, dry and very "bouncy." Odd combination for sure.

 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5094163

 

Simultaneously pleased and ... gutted. I was RIGHT. THERE. PHOCK!

First, for those of you who know my struggles, the back:

I played only 3 rounds of golf from June 1 to July 20. That is a record low for me, by far. Normally, this time of year, I'm playing 3 or 4 times week, since the days are so long. When I was younger, it would be 5 or 6.

 

My sciatica is getting worse and worse and the pain that turns into tingling and numbness had gone all the way to my right foot, so there was no way for me to play "real golf" for six weeks. I would go out and play from 6,000 yards and bunt it around, but I couldn't make any real swings. So I just rested for the last six weeks and figured: "I'll see if I can tee it at the U.S. Senior Am qualifier as one last hurrah before my MRI" (which was yesterday) and (likely) surgery upcoming.

I got up at 3:30am and drove 2.5 hours to Ojai. Had no idea what would happen when I arrived and hit a few balls. I could have literally turned around after stretching and a dozen balls on the range. Stretching felt decent and I hit balls without any real pain but virtually no range of motion.

So I figured ... what the heck and went into a full prep session (which is only at 35 to 40 minutes for me) with putting, short game, etc. Let's do this thing.

Oh, I also loaded up with more pain meds than I ever have in my life: 1400 mg of Advil and 2 Extra Strength Tylenol. I try not to do that for obvious reasons.

 

If you don’t like shot-by-shot review of rounds by Senior Amateurs who hit driver 225, STOP NOW. You have been warned!!

 

Heading to the first tee, I feel … at peace. No expectations. No real pain to speak of. Right foot is semi-numb, but that's it.

 

As I approach the tee, I see one of the guys I’m paired with already teeing off and I immediately think: “What the hell, did I miss my tee time?!”

Turns out they bumped him up, as there were two guys who no-showed in the group in front of us, so that meant they were a twosome and so were we. Normally we play threesomes with 11-minute tee times, which is GREAT for pace of play. Thank you, SCGA/USGA!

 

I started on the back nine. They are taking 4 spots and 2 alternates out of a field out of 68 who teed it up. There were another 10 or more who WD'd prior to the deadline.

I tell the guy I'm paired with: Scores will be low. Will likely take 2-under and maybe even 3-under to be in clean.

10) 145 par 3 (downhill): with water hard right: 7h to 15 feet. 2-putt for PAR.

EVEN

 

11) 555 par 5: Driver just into right rough. Layup to 134. 8i to back left pin to 18 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

12) 420 par 4: Drive down middle left me 183. Pulled 7w to front left. Nice pitch to 8 feet from a weird lie. Made the putt to save PAR.
EVEN

 

13) 357 par 4: Drive down the middle. 9i from 127 to 20 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

14) 420 par 4 (second shot uphill a full club) Drive just into right rough. 193 pin. 173 cover. Playing 205, which is a 4-wood for me. Hit a nice one to 25 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

I hurt myself trying to hoist that 4-wood up the hill. No bueno. Stabbing pain in my back. I stretch for 2 minutes at the next tee because I’m going to need to swing hard at another driver.

 

At this point you should see how short I am. It's ... comical. I'm carrying driver 210 to 215. My playing partner, who is 64 (I’m 57) is hitting it by me 30 to 50 yards on every hole.

15)  418 par 4: Try to swing hard at a driver, but come out of it and hit it just into the right rough again. 198 pin. 178 to cover a big valley. I hit my 4w a bit high on the face and go into the ditch.

Drop at 103 on a downhill lie (otherwise I would have to go back to 12Greens are firm, so I can trap a nice GW in there as it will release when it lands. I hit it to 4 feet and save BOGEY.

1-OVER

 

16) 155 par 3 - uphill: I hit a 9-wood (yes, a 9-wood) barely right of a tucked-right pin and it ends up in gnarly kikuyu rough just off the green. I'm only 15 feet form the pin, but in a "perched, springy" lie. I can't even ground my wedge, because I know the ball will move. I chip it right at the hole and it power lips down the hill to 5 feet. I read the putt as inside the hole, but at the last second I decide to give it a bit more and I miss.  BOGEY.

2-OVER

At this point I know it's all or nothing I need to play a minimum of 4-under from there on in to have a chance. Not nervous. Not worried. I have no expectations, so I'm just "in the moment" the best I can be.

 

17) 392 par 4: Drive down the middle. Nice 7-wood from 178 to 18 feet, but just off the green. Easy chip to tap-in distance for Par.
2-OVER

 

18) 501 par 5: Drive slightly into right rough. 6h lay-up to 92 yards. Trap SW to back-left pin to 5 feet. BIRDIE.
1-OVER

 

1) 382 par 4 (downhill): Drive down middle. 8i from 132 to 4 feet. BIRDIE.
EVEN

 

2) 362 par 4: Drive down middle. 7h from 135 to 35 feet. 2 putts for PAR.

EVEN

 

3) 132 par 3 (uphill): 7h to back pin to 10 feet. Big breaker that lips out. PAR.

EVEN

 

4) 512 par 5 (downhill on tee shot): Drive down the middle. 232 to a back right pin. It's go time. I have a downhill lie, so I know the shot will chase. I figure if I can fly the shot 190ish with a bit of "go" on it and if I can skirt the bunker that's 30 yards short on the right side, then I get get home, or close. I know I need to birdie this hole and the next to have a chance.

I hit a perfect "chaser" 4-wood that I pull off exactly as I had envisioned. It lands just left of the bunker and scoots up and up and up and then over a ridge and onto the green, leaving me 25 feet. I grind and grind and play about two feet of break and drain it for EAGLE (my first par 5 eagle of the year. LOL).

2-UNDER

 

5) 490 par 5: The second of the "must birdie" par 5's for me (and everyone in the field, really). Drive down the middle. 4-wood that I try to rip to the left front so I have a good look at the back right pin, that sits in a big bowl. I have a good lie and the shot fees like one I can make even though I'm a good 120 feet away. I can putt it through 20 yards of fringe-height apron area, or I can chip it. I elect a "bumpy," back-in-the-stance SW and hit it perfect. It lands, skips, checks, and then trundles down, down, down and heads right for the hole. I thought I made if for a sec, but it just misses on the right and then keeps going a bit, leaving me about 7 or 8 feet. I grind, but in the end put a really bad stroke on it and miss and settle for PAR.

2-UNDER

 

6) 196 par 3: 4-wood is the club. I stripe it right at the flag and it lands one pace left and one pace short (I'm a bit pumped to carry it that far!). My ball ends up just off the back of the green in the fringe about 25 to 30 feet. Putt breaks about 6 feet and it's slightly down. I leave it one turn short of going in. PAR.

2-UNDER

 

This is it. If I can finish par, par, par (or better), I will make it. 7 and 8 are both very tough holes for me, so I know I'm going to have to hit some golf shots. Still feeling good mentally, and even physically.

 

7) 420 par 4 (uphill on tee shot): Tough tee shot for me. Uphill and right to left. I have to really hit a good one here to have less than 200. I hit a great drive, for me, right on my line and I have 188 to a back left pin guarded by a big ravine just a few paces off the green to the left. The green is open in the front and I like to play low trap-draw runners on this whole. I debate between 7-wood and 9-wood and elect the 7. 

 

Wrong choice, as I hit it perfect and it's tracking right to the hole, but it's just a bit too much club and I role just over the green and into the kikuyu rough. I have a tough, downhill chip that is tough to stope and I run it 6 feet by. I know this is my tournament and I gag it. I decel and pull it left. BOGEY.

1-UNDER 

 

8 ) 410 par 4 (downhill on tee shot, severely uphill on second): Drive down the middle. 158 to a back-left, super-tucked pin with a gaping bunker in guarding short and left. I know this is it. I also know that uphill shots KILL My back -- especially when I have to swing hard. I go with 5h, but in the back of my mind I know that's too much club for the shot I have to hit to access that pin (another trap draw). If I catch it flush it will land the the middle and skip over the back, and long is death.

I decel and yank it short left. Only truly bad swing of the day, darn it. I hit a really nice flop shot to 7 feet, but miss that and make BOGEY.
EVEN

 

9) 347 par 4. Big cross bunker that makes many players lay up. I hit 4-wood down the middle off the tee, leaving me 132. I hit a nice 8i to 20 feet but miss the putt and make PAR.
EVEN PAR 72.

 

So that was it. Thought this might have been my year since I had no expectations. Had a blast -- especially since I didn't even think I would be able to play.

Thanks for reading.

MRI was yesterday. We shall see what the results say. It's been 6(?) years since my last one...

 

  

Edited July 24 by Obee
*

[BigManSlim]

46 minutes ago, Obee said:

Well, I played in my U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier yesterday at Soule Park in Ojai, California. 

 

So that was it. Thought this might have been my year since I had no expectations. Had a blast -- especially since I didn't even think I would be able to play.

Thanks for reading.

MRI was yesterday. We shall see what the results say. It's been 6(?) years since my last one...

 

  

Good review. Is your length issue largely because of your back or have you always been comparatively short?

[Petethreeput]

49 minutes ago, Obee said:

MRI was yesterday. We shall see what the results say. It's been 6(?) years since my last one...

6 years since the last MRI or last surgery (which you think is impending)?

[Obee]

5 minutes ago, BigManSlim said:

Good review. Is your length issue largely because of your back or have you always been comparatively short?

 

In my 30's I was always "long enough." I used to play everything back in my stance and would hit low spinners like Azinger or guys like that (not saying I was that good, I obviously wasn't).

My driver clubhead speed was 108 to 112 if I swung HARD.  I hit it, all in, 265 back in the 90s. But I always had a shortish, compact backswing and over the years it's just gotten shorter and shorter and shorter and slower and slower and S L    O WWWW    E      RRRRRRRR...

Edited July 24 by Obee

[Obee]

1 minute ago, Petethreeput said:

6 years since the last MRI or last surgery (which you think is impending)?

Since last MRI. I have not had surgery. I HAVE had 3 epidurals and 2 nerve blocks, not a single one of which helped me more than a phocking DAY. 

Most people seem to get relief from those, but not me...

[Petethreeput]

4 minutes ago, Obee said:

Since last MRI. I have not had surgery. I HAVE had 3 epidurals and 2 nerve blocks, not a single one of which helped me more than a phocking DAY. 

Most people seem to get relief from those, but not me...

I have a had few of them, and before the last one the surgeon mentioned if the damage is too great the nerve won't regenerate and I think if we wait more than 2 days you might lose some feeling.  Sure enough, the insurance delayed the surgery for 3 days and the inside of my left thigh down to the knee is tingly, like if you touch it I can't feel it but it tingles, very strange.  And my left leg is now weaker than the right.

 

I won't say surgeries are a panacea because there are a lot of knock-on effects, but at least the shooting pain is gone as well as the drop foot.

 

Hopefully you won't need it, but there are some success stories out there as well.

[Ty_Webb]

2 hours ago, Obee said:

Well, I played in my U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier yesterday at Soule Park in Ojai, California. 

Round report below. I do these for me. It's a nice way for me to recap and think on what I can do better. These are not everyone's cup of tea, but many people over the years have told me the very much enjoy reading them. So here goes...

 

Soule Park GC: 6,610, 71.6/125
Greens are SLOW (9.5), but firm, dry and very "bouncy." Odd combination for sure.

 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5094163

 

Simultaneously pleased and ... gutted. I was RIGHT. THERE. PHOCK!

First, for those of you who know my struggles, the back:

I played only 3 rounds of golf from June 1 to July 20. That is a record low for me, by far. Normally, this time of year, I'm playing 3 or 4 times week, since the days are so long. When I was younger, it would be 5 or 6.

 

My sciatica is getting worse and worse and the pain that turns into tingling and numbness had gone all the way to my right foot, so there was no way for me to play "real golf" for six weeks. I would go out and play from 6,000 yards and bunt it around, but I couldn't make any real swings. So I just rested for the last six weeks and figured: "I'll see if I can tee it at the U.S. Senior Am qualifier as one last hurrah before my MRI" (which was yesterday) and (likely) surgery upcoming.

I got up at 3:30am and drove 2.5 hours to Ojai. Had no idea what would happen when I arrived and hit a few balls. I could have literally turned around after stretching and a dozen balls on the range. Stretching felt decent and I hit balls without any real pain but virtually no range of motion.

So I figured ... what the heck and went into a full prep session (which is only at 35 to 40 minutes for me) with putting, short game, etc. Let's do this thing.

Oh, I also loaded up with more pain meds than I ever have in my life: 1400 mg of Advil and 2 Extra Strength Tylenol. I try not to do that for obvious reasons.

 

If you don’t like shot-by-shot review of rounds by Senior Amateurs who hit driver 225, STOP NOW. You have been warned!!

 

Heading to the first tee, I feel … at peace. No expectations. No real pain to speak of. Right foot is semi-numb, but that's it.

 

As I approach the tee, I see one of the guys I’m paired with already teeing off and I immediately think: “What the hell, did I miss my tee time?!”

Turns out they bumped him up, as there were two guys who no-showed in the group in front of us, so that meant they were a twosome and so were we. Normally we play threesomes with 11-minute tee times, which is GREAT for pace of play. Thank you, SCGA/USGA!

 

I started on the back nine. They are taking 4 spots and 2 alternates out of a field out of 68 who teed it up. There were another 10 or more who WD'd prior to the deadline.

I tell the guy I'm paired with: Scores will be low. Will likely take 2-under and maybe even 3-under to be in clean.

10) 145 par 3 (downhill): with water hard right: 7h to 15 feet. 2-putt for PAR.

EVEN

 

11) 555 par 5: Driver just into right rough. Layup to 134. 8i to back left pin to 18 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

12) 420 par 4: Drive down middle left me 183. Pulled 7w to front left. Nice pitch to 8 feet from a weird lie. Made the putt to save PAR.
EVEN

 

13) 357 par 4: Drive down the middle. 9i from 127 to 20 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

14) 420 par 4 (second shot uphill a full club) Drive just into right rough. 193 pin. 173 cover. Playing 205, which is a 4-wood for me. Hit a nice one to 25 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

I hurt myself trying to hoist that 4-wood up the hill. No bueno. Stabbing pain in my back. I stretch for 2 minutes at the next tee because I’m going to need to swing hard at another driver.

 

At this point you should see how short I am. It's ... comical. I'm carrying driver 210 to 215. My playing partner, who is 64 (I’m 57) is hitting it by me 30 to 50 yards on every hole.

15)  418 par 4: Try to swing hard at a driver, but come out of it and hit it just into the right rough again. 198 pin. 178 to cover a big valley. I hit my 4w a bit high on the face and go into the ditch.

Drop at 103 on a downhill lie (otherwise I would have to go back to 12Greens are firm, so I can trap a nice GW in there as it will release when it lands. I hit it to 4 feet and save BOGEY.

1-OVER

 

16) 155 par 3 - uphill: I hit a 9-wood (yes, a 9-wood) barely right of a tucked-right pin and it ends up in gnarly kikuyu rough just off the green. I'm only 15 feet form the pin, but in a "perched, springy" lie. I can't even ground my wedge, because I know the ball will move. I chip it right at the hole and it power lips down the hill to 5 feet. I read the putt as inside the hole, but at the last second I decide to give it a bit more and I miss.  BOGEY.

2-OVER

At this point I know it's all or nothing I need to play a minimum of 4-under from there on in to have a chance. Not nervous. Not worried. I have no expectations, so I'm just "in the moment" the best I can be.

 

17) 392 par 4: Drive down the middle. Nice 7-wood from 178 to 18 feet, but just off the green. Easy chip to tap-in distance for Par.
2-OVER

 

18) 501 par 5: Drive slightly into right rough. 6h lay-up to 92 yards. Trap SW to back-left pin to 5 feet. BIRDIE.
1-OVER

 

1) 382 par 4 (downhill): Drive down middle. 8i from 132 to 4 feet. BIRDIE.
EVEN

 

2) 362 par 4: Drive down middle. 7h from 135 to 35 feet. 2 putts for PAR.

EVEN

 

3) 132 par 3 (uphill): 7h to back pin to 10 feet. Big breaker that lips out. PAR.

EVEN

 

4) 512 par 5 (downhill on tee shot): Drive down the middle. 232 to a back right pin. It's go time. I have a downhill lie, so I know the shot will chase. I figure if I can fly the shot 190ish with a bit of "go" on it and if I can skirt the bunker that's 30 yards short on the right side, then I get get home, or close. I know I need to birdie this hole and the next to have a chance.

I hit a perfect "chaser" 4-wood that I pull off exactly as I had envisioned. It lands just left of the bunker and scoots up and up and up and then over a ridge and onto the green, leaving me 25 feet. I grind and grind and play about two feet of break and drain it for EAGLE (my first par 5 eagle of the year. LOL).

2-UNDER

 

5) 490 par 5: The second of the "must birdie" par 5's for me (and everyone in the field, really). Drive down the middle. 4-wood that I try to rip to the left front so I have a good look at the back right pin, that sits in a big bowl. I have a good lie and the shot fees like one I can make even though I'm a good 120 feet away. I can putt it through 20 yards of fringe-height apron area, or I can chip it. I elect a "bumpy," back-in-the-stance SW and hit it perfect. It lands, skips, checks, and then trundles down, down, down and heads right for the hole. I thought I made if for a sec, but it just misses on the right and then keeps going a bit, leaving me about 7 or 8 feet. I grind, but in the end put a really bad stroke on it and miss and settle for PAR.

2-UNDER

 

6) 196 par 3: 4-wood is the club. I stripe it right at the flag and it lands one pace left and one pace short (I'm a bit pumped to carry it that far!). My ball ends up just off the back of the green in the fringe about 25 to 30 feet. Putt breaks about 6 feet and it's slightly down. I leave it one turn short of going in. PAR.

2-UNDER

 

This is it. If I can finish par, par, par (or better), I will make it. 7 and 8 are both very tough holes for me, so I know I'm going to have to hit some golf shots. Still feeling good mentally, and even physically.

 

7) 420 par 4 (uphill on tee shot): Tough tee shot for me. Uphill and right to left. I have to really hit a good one here to have less than 200. I hit a great drive, for me, right on my line and I have 188 to a back left pin guarded by a big ravine just a few paces off the green to the left. The green is open in the front and I like to play low trap-draw runners on this whole. I debate between 7-wood and 9-wood and elect the 7. 

 

Wrong choice, as I hit it perfect and it's tracking right to the hole, but it's just a bit too much club and I role just over the green and into the kikuyu rough. I have a tough, downhill chip that is tough to stope and I run it 6 feet by. I know this is my tournament and I gag it. I decel and pull it left. BOGEY.

1-UNDER 

 

8 ) 410 par 4 (downhill on tee shot, severely uphill on second): Drive down the middle. 158 to a back-left, super-tucked pin with a gaping bunker in guarding short and left. I know this is it. I also know that uphill shots KILL My back -- especially when I have to swing hard. I go with 5h, but in the back of my mind I know that's too much club for the shot I have to hit to access that pin (another trap draw). If I catch it flush it will land the the middle and skip over the back, and long is death.

I decel and yank it short left. Only truly bad swing of the day, darn it. I hit a really nice flop shot to 7 feet, but miss that and make BOGEY.
EVEN

 

9) 347 par 4. Big cross bunker that makes many players lay up. I hit 4-wood down the middle off the tee, leaving me 132. I hit a nice 8i to 20 feet but miss the putt and make PAR.
EVEN PAR 72.

 

So that was it. Thought this might have been my year since I had no expectations. Had a blast -- especially since I didn't even think I would be able to play.

Thanks for reading.

MRI was yesterday. We shall see what the results say. It's been 6(?) years since my last one...

 

  

Thanks for sharing Obee - always enjoy reading these. My tournaments this year have been dreadful. Last 4 tourny rounds have been 81, 80, 81, and 82 (which was 81 after NDB was applied). Last three friendly games 71, 70, 71. Haven't really felt like it was worth sharing any of the abject dross so have been a little sparse on here. Back in the saddle in a couple of weeks, so we'll see how that goes.

[bilbry57]

4 hours ago, Obee said:

Well, I played in my U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier yesterday at Soule Park in Ojai, California. 

Round report below. I do these for me. It's a nice way for me to recap and think on what I can do better. These are not everyone's cup of tea, but many people over the years have told me the very much enjoy reading them. So here goes...

 

Soule Park GC: 6,610, 71.6/125
Greens are SLOW (9.5), but firm, dry and very "bouncy." Odd combination for sure.

 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5094163

 

Simultaneously pleased and ... gutted. I was RIGHT. THERE. PHOCK!

First, for those of you who know my struggles, the back:

I played only 3 rounds of golf from June 1 to July 20. That is a record low for me, by far. Normally, this time of year, I'm playing 3 or 4 times week, since the days are so long. When I was younger, it would be 5 or 6.

 

My sciatica is getting worse and worse and the pain that turns into tingling and numbness had gone all the way to my right foot, so there was no way for me to play "real golf" for six weeks. I would go out and play from 6,000 yards and bunt it around, but I couldn't make any real swings. So I just rested for the last six weeks and figured: "I'll see if I can tee it at the U.S. Senior Am qualifier as one last hurrah before my MRI" (which was yesterday) and (likely) surgery upcoming.

I got up at 3:30am and drove 2.5 hours to Ojai. Had no idea what would happen when I arrived and hit a few balls. I could have literally turned around after stretching and a dozen balls on the range. Stretching felt decent and I hit balls without any real pain but virtually no range of motion.

So I figured ... what the heck and went into a full prep session (which is only at 35 to 40 minutes for me) with putting, short game, etc. Let's do this thing.

Oh, I also loaded up with more pain meds than I ever have in my life: 1400 mg of Advil and 2 Extra Strength Tylenol. I try not to do that for obvious reasons.

 

If you don’t like shot-by-shot review of rounds by Senior Amateurs who hit driver 225, STOP NOW. You have been warned!!

 

Heading to the first tee, I feel … at peace. No expectations. No real pain to speak of. Right foot is semi-numb, but that's it.

 

As I approach the tee, I see one of the guys I’m paired with already teeing off and I immediately think: “What the hell, did I miss my tee time?!”

Turns out they bumped him up, as there were two guys who no-showed in the group in front of us, so that meant they were a twosome and so were we. Normally we play threesomes with 11-minute tee times, which is GREAT for pace of play. Thank you, SCGA/USGA!

 

I started on the back nine. They are taking 4 spots and 2 alternates out of a field out of 68 who teed it up. There were another 10 or more who WD'd prior to the deadline.

I tell the guy I'm paired with: Scores will be low. Will likely take 2-under and maybe even 3-under to be in clean.

10) 145 par 3 (downhill): with water hard right: 7h to 15 feet. 2-putt for PAR.

EVEN

 

11) 555 par 5: Driver just into right rough. Layup to 134. 8i to back left pin to 18 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

12) 420 par 4: Drive down middle left me 183. Pulled 7w to front left. Nice pitch to 8 feet from a weird lie. Made the putt to save PAR.
EVEN

 

13) 357 par 4: Drive down the middle. 9i from 127 to 20 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

 

14) 420 par 4 (second shot uphill a full club) Drive just into right rough. 193 pin. 173 cover. Playing 205, which is a 4-wood for me. Hit a nice one to 25 feet. 2 putts for PAR.
EVEN

I hurt myself trying to hoist that 4-wood up the hill. No bueno. Stabbing pain in my back. I stretch for 2 minutes at the next tee because I’m going to need to swing hard at another driver.

 

At this point you should see how short I am. It's ... comical. I'm carrying driver 210 to 215. My playing partner, who is 64 (I’m 57) is hitting it by me 30 to 50 yards on every hole.

15)  418 par 4: Try to swing hard at a driver, but come out of it and hit it just into the right rough again. 198 pin. 178 to cover a big valley. I hit my 4w a bit high on the face and go into the ditch.

Drop at 103 on a downhill lie (otherwise I would have to go back to 12Greens are firm, so I can trap a nice GW in there as it will release when it lands. I hit it to 4 feet and save BOGEY.

1-OVER

 

16) 155 par 3 - uphill: I hit a 9-wood (yes, a 9-wood) barely right of a tucked-right pin and it ends up in gnarly kikuyu rough just off the green. I'm only 15 feet form the pin, but in a "perched, springy" lie. I can't even ground my wedge, because I know the ball will move. I chip it right at the hole and it power lips down the hill to 5 feet. I read the putt as inside the hole, but at the last second I decide to give it a bit more and I miss.  BOGEY.

2-OVER

At this point I know it's all or nothing I need to play a minimum of 4-under from there on in to have a chance. Not nervous. Not worried. I have no expectations, so I'm just "in the moment" the best I can be.

 

17) 392 par 4: Drive down the middle. Nice 7-wood from 178 to 18 feet, but just off the green. Easy chip to tap-in distance for Par.
2-OVER

 

18) 501 par 5: Drive slightly into right rough. 6h lay-up to 92 yards. Trap SW to back-left pin to 5 feet. BIRDIE.
1-OVER

 

1) 382 par 4 (downhill): Drive down middle. 8i from 132 to 4 feet. BIRDIE.
EVEN

 

2) 362 par 4: Drive down middle. 7h from 135 to 35 feet. 2 putts for PAR.

EVEN

 

3) 132 par 3 (uphill): 7h to back pin to 10 feet. Big breaker that lips out. PAR.

EVEN

 

4) 512 par 5 (downhill on tee shot): Drive down the middle. 232 to a back right pin. It's go time. I have a downhill lie, so I know the shot will chase. I figure if I can fly the shot 190ish with a bit of "go" on it and if I can skirt the bunker that's 30 yards short on the right side, then I get get home, or close. I know I need to birdie this hole and the next to have a chance.

I hit a perfect "chaser" 4-wood that I pull off exactly as I had envisioned. It lands just left of the bunker and scoots up and up and up and then over a ridge and onto the green, leaving me 25 feet. I grind and grind and play about two feet of break and drain it for EAGLE (my first par 5 eagle of the year. LOL).

2-UNDER

 

5) 490 par 5: The second of the "must birdie" par 5's for me (and everyone in the field, really). Drive down the middle. 4-wood that I try to rip to the left front so I have a good look at the back right pin, that sits in a big bowl. I have a good lie and the shot fees like one I can make even though I'm a good 120 feet away. I can putt it through 20 yards of fringe-height apron area, or I can chip it. I elect a "bumpy," back-in-the-stance SW and hit it perfect. It lands, skips, checks, and then trundles down, down, down and heads right for the hole. I thought I made if for a sec, but it just misses on the right and then keeps going a bit, leaving me about 7 or 8 feet. I grind, but in the end put a really bad stroke on it and miss and settle for PAR.

2-UNDER

 

6) 196 par 3: 4-wood is the club. I stripe it right at the flag and it lands one pace left and one pace short (I'm a bit pumped to carry it that far!). My ball ends up just off the back of the green in the fringe about 25 to 30 feet. Putt breaks about 6 feet and it's slightly down. I leave it one turn short of going in. PAR.

2-UNDER

 

This is it. If I can finish par, par, par (or better), I will make it. 7 and 8 are both very tough holes for me, so I know I'm going to have to hit some golf shots. Still feeling good mentally, and even physically.

 

7) 420 par 4 (uphill on tee shot): Tough tee shot for me. Uphill and right to left. I have to really hit a good one here to have less than 200. I hit a great drive, for me, right on my line and I have 188 to a back left pin guarded by a big ravine just a few paces off the green to the left. The green is open in the front and I like to play low trap-draw runners on this whole. I debate between 7-wood and 9-wood and elect the 7. 

 

Wrong choice, as I hit it perfect and it's tracking right to the hole, but it's just a bit too much club and I role just over the green and into the kikuyu rough. I have a tough, downhill chip that is tough to stope and I run it 6 feet by. I know this is my tournament and I gag it. I decel and pull it left. BOGEY.

1-UNDER 

 

8 ) 410 par 4 (downhill on tee shot, severely uphill on second): Drive down the middle. 158 to a back-left, super-tucked pin with a gaping bunker in guarding short and left. I know this is it. I also know that uphill shots KILL My back -- especially when I have to swing hard. I go with 5h, but in the back of my mind I know that's too much club for the shot I have to hit to access that pin (another trap draw). If I catch it flush it will land the the middle and skip over the back, and long is death.

I decel and yank it short left. Only truly bad swing of the day, darn it. I hit a really nice flop shot to 7 feet, but miss that and make BOGEY.
EVEN

 

9) 347 par 4. Big cross bunker that makes many players lay up. I hit 4-wood down the middle off the tee, leaving me 132. I hit a nice 8i to 20 feet but miss the putt and make PAR.
EVEN PAR 72.

 

So that was it. Thought this might have been my year since I had no expectations. Had a blast -- especially since I didn't even think I would be able to play.

Thanks for reading.

MRI was yesterday. We shall see what the results say. It's been 6(?) years since my last one...

 

  

Great round considering the back issues always enjoy when you document a round.  Hopefully MRI provides information that will help the Drs find a solution for your back.  
 

[bilbry57]

4 minutes ago, bilbry57 said:

Great round considering the back issues always enjoy when you document a round.  Hopefully MRI provides information that will help the Drs find a solution for your back.  
 

I just looked up the results Even par was only 3 shots out of being in a playoff. Dude that's so impressive considering how little preparation you were able to put into this event. Your ability to score in the toughest amateur tournaments blows my mind.

[Johnny Biarritz]

9 hours ago, Obee said:

Well, I played in my U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier yesterday at Soule Park in Ojai, California. 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5094163

 

 

I feel like I recognize your name from a forum other than here. Are you possibly part of The Emperor's architecture forum?

[Obee]

7 hours ago, Johnny Biarritz said:

I feel like I recognize your name from a forum other than here. Are you possibly part of The Emperor's architecture forum?

I am on Golf Club Atlas, but that's the only architecture forum I'm on. 

[Mike_C]

Just played our member-member championship this weekend.  2 days, day one straight up 2 man best ball, day 2 was scramble front 9 modified alternative shot on the back. 

 

We won the event gross total by one, just had to say I  shot my career low round on the best ball.

 

It wasn't from the tips but about 6,400 yards.  But on the first day I  shot -9 63, no gimmies either, my previous best on this course was 68.  I was unconscious with my putter, probably made 175 feet of putts, 25 total, and that counts 3 from the fringe.  Day two was back to normal,  made nothing over 5-6 feet.  Oh well, though I found something. .  

 

 

[dmecca2]

Just wrapped up the PA State Amateur yesterday at Huntsville Golf Club. 54 holes, cut to low 40 after day 2. Normally a very difficult course that has hosted the Forme Tour Championships and many US Open qualifiers. It's only a 45 minute drive for me, and my good friend is a member so I play there fairly often. We got a decent amount of rain Sunday, so the course played a little softer monday and tuesday morning, but tuesday was over 90 degrees so by the afternoon the greens got firm and crusty. Of course I was placed in the first tee time on Monday and the last on Tuesday.... 

 

Monday I started with a nice birdie putt on the easy par 5 opener and kept it rolling with birdies on 4 and 5. 6 is a hard hole and I took bogey there, but it was my only one of the day. I added 2 more birdies and left a couple more out there with some harsh lipouts to shoot -4. I was very pleased with my round and when I finished, I was tied for first and thought I would be right in the mix.... WRONG. Some college kids decided to make this 7100 yard course look like a pitch and putt. 10 under, 9 under, 8 under, and 5 under were all ahead of me. 

 

Tuesday I had the last tee time of the day... 1:39pm. Being the last tee time I got to watch the scores roll in. The kid that shot -10 shot -3 and the -9 shot -6... Unreal and good enough to separate themselves from everyone else... 95 degrees, no clouds, and my caddy had to fly out of state for work... I had a push cart, but I was still exhausted the entire round. Starting on the back 9 I birdied the 2 par 5's and parred the rest of the holes, and then I birdied the par 5 first hole. Then, after waiting on nearly every shot, the group in front of us got a warning and took off. Being the last group of the day, we weren't holding up anyone, but we were still told to pick up the pace and keep up with the group in front of us. Now at this point I look like a zombie who just jumped in a pool. I was out of dry towels and didnt have many gloves left. On the 4th hole I picked a wrong club off the tee and hooked a 3 wood about 30 yards into the woods. Luckily we had spotters and some nice local people following us that were able to find my ball and help me make a heroic par to keep the round alive. Unfortunately I made 2 bogeys coming in, but drained a 15 footer on my last hole for a birdie and a -2 round. Still very pleased even though I had no shot of winning. 

 

Wednesday was hot but we had a morning tee time. After a LONG theragun session I felt a lot better, but I knew I needed to shoot 59 to have a CHANCE at winning. That dream was killed after my eagle putt on 1 stopped short in the heart and my 5 footer for birdie on 2 lipped out. No worries, a top 20 finish would give me an exemption into next years amateur at Oakmont, and a top 10 finish would give me an exemption in the state open. I kept the solid golf going and shot another -2 round to finish at -8 for the week and finish in 6th place.

 

One of my best performances ever and definitely the only player in the top 10 with a wife, kid, and heck... even a job. 

 

[BigManSlim]

Nice playing

[Obee]

5 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Just wrapped up the PA State Amateur yesterday at Huntsville Golf Club. 54 holes, cut to low 40 after day 2. Normally a very difficult course that has hosted the Forme Tour Championships and many US Open qualifiers. It's only a 45 minute drive for me, and my good friend is a member so I play there fairly often. We got a decent amount of rain Sunday, so the course played a little softer monday and tuesday morning, but tuesday was over 90 degrees so by the afternoon the greens got firm and crusty. Of course I was placed in the first tee time on Monday and the last on Tuesday.... 

 

Monday I started with a nice birdie putt on the easy par 5 opener and kept it rolling with birdies on 4 and 5. 6 is a hard hole and I took bogey there, but it was my only one of the day. I added 2 more birdies and left a couple more out there with some harsh lipouts to shoot -4. I was very pleased with my round and when I finished, I was tied for first and thought I would be right in the mix.... WRONG. Some college kids decided to make this 7100 yard course look like a pitch and putt. 10 under, 9 under, 8 under, and 5 under were all ahead of me. 

 

Tuesday I had the last tee time of the day... 1:39pm. Being the last tee time I got to watch the scores roll in. The kid that shot -10 shot -3 and the -9 shot -6... Unreal and good enough to separate themselves from everyone else... 95 degrees, no clouds, and my caddy had to fly out of state for work... I had a push cart, but I was still exhausted the entire round. Starting on the back 9 I birdied the 2 par 5's and parred the rest of the holes, and then I birdied the par 5 first hole. Then, after waiting on nearly every shot, the group in front of us got a warning and took off. Being the last group of the day, we weren't holding up anyone, but we were still told to pick up the pace and keep up with the group in front of us. Now at this point I look like a zombie who just jumped in a pool. I was out of dry towels and didnt have many gloves left. On the 4th hole I picked a wrong club off the tee and hooked a 3 wood about 30 yards into the woods. Luckily we had spotters and some nice local people following us that were able to find my ball and help me make a heroic par to keep the round alive. Unfortunately I made 2 bogeys coming in, but drained a 15 footer on my last hole for a birdie and a -2 round. Still very pleased even though I had no shot of winning. 

 

Wednesday was hot but we had a morning tee time. After a LONG theragun session I felt a lot better, but I knew I needed to shoot 59 to have a CHANCE at winning. That dream was killed after my eagle putt on 1 stopped short in the heart and my 5 footer for birdie on 2 lipped out. No worries, a top 20 finish would give me an exemption into next years amateur at Oakmont, and a top 10 finish would give me an exemption in the state open. I kept the solid golf going and shot another -2 round to finish at -8 for the week and finish in 6th place.

 

One of my best performances ever and definitely the only player in the top 10 with a wife, kid, and heck... even a job. 

 

FANTASTIC!!!

 

Well done, bud!!!

[Ty_Webb]

8 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Just wrapped up the PA State Amateur yesterday at Huntsville Golf Club. 54 holes, cut to low 40 after day 2. Normally a very difficult course that has hosted the Forme Tour Championships and many US Open qualifiers. It's only a 45 minute drive for me, and my good friend is a member so I play there fairly often. We got a decent amount of rain Sunday, so the course played a little softer monday and tuesday morning, but tuesday was over 90 degrees so by the afternoon the greens got firm and crusty. Of course I was placed in the first tee time on Monday and the last on Tuesday.... 

 

Monday I started with a nice birdie putt on the easy par 5 opener and kept it rolling with birdies on 4 and 5. 6 is a hard hole and I took bogey there, but it was my only one of the day. I added 2 more birdies and left a couple more out there with some harsh lipouts to shoot -4. I was very pleased with my round and when I finished, I was tied for first and thought I would be right in the mix.... WRONG. Some college kids decided to make this 7100 yard course look like a pitch and putt. 10 under, 9 under, 8 under, and 5 under were all ahead of me. 

 

Tuesday I had the last tee time of the day... 1:39pm. Being the last tee time I got to watch the scores roll in. The kid that shot -10 shot -3 and the -9 shot -6... Unreal and good enough to separate themselves from everyone else... 95 degrees, no clouds, and my caddy had to fly out of state for work... I had a push cart, but I was still exhausted the entire round. Starting on the back 9 I birdied the 2 par 5's and parred the rest of the holes, and then I birdied the par 5 first hole. Then, after waiting on nearly every shot, the group in front of us got a warning and took off. Being the last group of the day, we weren't holding up anyone, but we were still told to pick up the pace and keep up with the group in front of us. Now at this point I look like a zombie who just jumped in a pool. I was out of dry towels and didnt have many gloves left. On the 4th hole I picked a wrong club off the tee and hooked a 3 wood about 30 yards into the woods. Luckily we had spotters and some nice local people following us that were able to find my ball and help me make a heroic par to keep the round alive. Unfortunately I made 2 bogeys coming in, but drained a 15 footer on my last hole for a birdie and a -2 round. Still very pleased even though I had no shot of winning. 

 

Wednesday was hot but we had a morning tee time. After a LONG theragun session I felt a lot better, but I knew I needed to shoot 59 to have a CHANCE at winning. That dream was killed after my eagle putt on 1 stopped short in the heart and my 5 footer for birdie on 2 lipped out. No worries, a top 20 finish would give me an exemption into next years amateur at Oakmont, and a top 10 finish would give me an exemption in the state open. I kept the solid golf going and shot another -2 round to finish at -8 for the week and finish in 6th place.

 

One of my best performances ever and definitely the only player in the top 10 with a wife, kid, and heck... even a job. 

 

 

Guy that won is a +6.7 almost all competition rounds and all 20 played since June. A lot of the really low handicaps are like 3 rounds from 2021, 5 from 2020, 6 from 2019 and so on and they haven't posted anything since. That's pretty impressive.

[Mike_C]

8 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Just wrapped up the PA State Amateur yesterday at Huntsville Golf Club. 54 holes, cut to low 40 after day 2. Normally a very difficult course that has hosted the Forme Tour Championships and many US Open qualifiers. It's only a 45 minute drive for me, and my good friend is a member so I play there fairly often. We got a decent amount of rain Sunday, so the course played a little softer monday and tuesday morning, but tuesday was over 90 degrees so by the afternoon the greens got firm and crusty. Of course I was placed in the first tee time on Monday and the last on Tuesday.... 

 

Monday I started with a nice birdie putt on the easy par 5 opener and kept it rolling with birdies on 4 and 5. 6 is a hard hole and I took bogey there, but it was my only one of the day. I added 2 more birdies and left a couple more out there with some harsh lipouts to shoot -4. I was very pleased with my round and when I finished, I was tied for first and thought I would be right in the mix.... WRONG. Some college kids decided to make this 7100 yard course look like a pitch and putt. 10 under, 9 under, 8 under, and 5 under were all ahead of me. 

 

Tuesday I had the last tee time of the day... 1:39pm. Being the last tee time I got to watch the scores roll in. The kid that shot -10 shot -3 and the -9 shot -6... Unreal and good enough to separate themselves from everyone else... 95 degrees, no clouds, and my caddy had to fly out of state for work... I had a push cart, but I was still exhausted the entire round. Starting on the back 9 I birdied the 2 par 5's and parred the rest of the holes, and then I birdied the par 5 first hole. Then, after waiting on nearly every shot, the group in front of us got a warning and took off. Being the last group of the day, we weren't holding up anyone, but we were still told to pick up the pace and keep up with the group in front of us. Now at this point I look like a zombie who just jumped in a pool. I was out of dry towels and didnt have many gloves left. On the 4th hole I picked a wrong club off the tee and hooked a 3 wood about 30 yards into the woods. Luckily we had spotters and some nice local people following us that were able to find my ball and help me make a heroic par to keep the round alive. Unfortunately I made 2 bogeys coming in, but drained a 15 footer on my last hole for a birdie and a -2 round. Still very pleased even though I had no shot of winning. 

 

Wednesday was hot but we had a morning tee time. After a LONG theragun session I felt a lot better, but I knew I needed to shoot 59 to have a CHANCE at winning. That dream was killed after my eagle putt on 1 stopped short in the heart and my 5 footer for birdie on 2 lipped out. No worries, a top 20 finish would give me an exemption into next years amateur at Oakmont, and a top 10 finish would give me an exemption in the state open. I kept the solid golf going and shot another -2 round to finish at -8 for the week and finish in 6th place.

 

One of my best performances ever and definitely the only player in the top 10 with a wife, kid, and heck... even a job. 

 

Way to represent the working man!!!

[Obee]

15 hours ago, Ty_Webb said:

 

Guy that won is a +6.7 almost all competition rounds and all 20 played since June. A lot of the really low handicaps are like 3 rounds from 2021, 5 from 2020, 6 from 2019 and so on and they haven't posted anything since. That's pretty impressive.

Yup. That guy is probably like our Torey Edwards. Just crazy good. There are, of course, quite a few more like him in California (we just how SOOOO many golfers), but the elite mid-ams are ... good. Very very good.

[Obee]

Okay, so I'm going to be getting surgery on my back soon, as I have mentioned, so this will likely be my last hurrah for a while, the illustrious "Costa Mesa City." 

Joking aside, it's a great tournament at a fun, 2-course muni site that gets a legitimatley fantastic field with many guys over the years going on to play the Korn Ferry and/or PGA Tours.

2 rounds, one on a short course (5900ish?) and the other on a 6,500ish track. They set up the course ... way tough. Greens firm and bouncy. Every pin the the toughest places they can find, as they try to "protect" the course.

I'm going to give it my all tomorrow and then see if I can play two days in a row, which is about a 50/50 proposition at this point with my back.