Day 1 ASU Karsten Course - All American Tour

Today was a long day, Firstly there was an hour delay due to frost, sitting around in the clubhouse is not that fun. I was glad to finally play, even though it was a cold morning.

My timing with my swing was a bit off today. I struggled with my driving, but luckily I was able to scramble my way around the course to post a respectable score. I only managed to hit 6 fairways out of 14, and 10 greens, but my short game kept me in contention only having 26 putts. Unfortunately I made a double bogey 5 on 16 a tough par 3, after playing extra safe, because of a tough pin location but my ball ended up in an awful lie. My round consisted of 3 bogies (holes 3,7, 18) one double bogey (16) and five birdies (holes 8,12,13,14,17).

In the end of the day I am in Tied 3rd with an even par 70, 4 shots behind the leader.

Results for the event can be followed on this link.

http://www.all-americantour.com/leagues/golf_leaderboard.cfm?clientid=4367&leagueid=14731&seasonnum=2010

Later in the afternoon I went to Tonto Verde a course I practice at in Scottsdale to work on my driving, and routine. The short practice session was needed, and I really feel that I have found my swing again. I also played a quick five holes, and spend some time putting on the putting course. I feel my putting has improved dramatically by turning my putting sessions into fun games and attempting challenging putts with better mindset, rather than just grinding on the putting green trying to create confidence by holing easy putts. I have noticed that my longer putts have better chances of going in and I hole more long putts. Putting should be a fun part of the game, not just a chore.

Thomas

Q School Disappointment, Arizona, and All American Golf Tour

Hello All

It has been quite a while since I have updated everyone on my professional golf career.

The last time I updated this blog was during PGA Tour Qschool. I apologize for not updating you on my qschool result, I really wanted to get over thinking about what happened and move onto the future. To keep it simple I hit the ball great, but had 34-36 putts per round. The cause was my ability to adapt to and read bermuda greens. I have never been a big fan of bermuda greens, and as I do not have a full time caddie really had no idea how to read the grain and slope. The next time I hope I have a caddie and can trust their read, as my read and speed was so far off. It was a good experience a

nd most 1st time golfers don't make it through, there is always next year. It was just frustrating considering how well the rest of my game has been.

At the end of October I shifted down to Scottsdale, Arizona for the winter. I have my own apartment for a 6 month lease that ends in the end of April. I will then move back to Minneapolis at that time. I love it down here, every day is sunny, little wind, and a decent temperature.

I am fortunate enough that I have two courses to play and practice at down here at no cost. I will be practicing out at Vista Verde, and Tonto Verde. All the courses down here are desert courses, so far I like it a lot, and it has helped me with my driving accuracy. Basically if you dont keep it on the fairway your in the desert, which is mostly like being out of bounds unless your lucky enough to get a shot.

There will be two main mini tours I will be playing in while I am in Arizona. The All-American Tour, and Gateway Tour.

So Far I have played in two All-American Tour Events, where I have finished 4th, and 2nd. Unfortunately I was leading by 4 shots with 5 holes to play when I finished 2nd, and two bad shots on the two par 3's into the desert lead to two double bogies, and losing by one shot. The last two tournaments there has only been 20 players in each, therefore there is not as much to be made, but now that qschool is now into its final stages there should be more players to make the purses bigger.

My next event starts on the 30th Nov- 2nd Dec.

Results, Stats, Events and News for the All-American Tour can be found on this website.

http://www.all-americantour.com/

For those of you following my progress from back in New Zealand I will be back in the country from the 23rd December till 14th of January for Christmas. I look forward to catching up with as may of you as I can while I am at home.

I will update this blog more regularly as I play in these mini tour events.

Thomas