2007 State Team Blog

State Team Diary-

Day 6 – 3^rd and final day of competition, 9/20 – As the beginning groups off the first tee at 7:30 we all arrived at the golf course in the early morning darkness. No problem, the USGA thinks of everything: three generator units with telescoping lights to illuminate the range. The lights emphasized the morning mist that hung low just above the ground and made the roaming deer eyes glow as they peered over at us.

I had the first time of our group and was the first to be announced off the tee for the last day of the tournament over a mini loud speaker. Of course the only spectators for our group were Lance and Irv, but I can still hear the words in my head. I ripped a drive down the left center of the fairway--a good feeling I’ll take away from the week. I had 131 to the first green with a back pin, which is right in between my 7 and 8 iron. I chose 7, and went long into the back rough after hitting the back sloping green. Bogie.

From there conservative club selection caused me to bogie the next 3 holes. I finished the front nine strong with 5 pars, especially nine, 385 yard par 4 with a back pin and water the entire right side. Alas it was only temporary, 3 doubles on the back side and 3 bogies led to another high score.

But, today was the day I finally conquered 15, a short par 4 but with water along the left and directly in front of a sloping green. Hole 15, Day1 – a good 3 wood, 92 yards to the pin, down wind, gap wedge into the bank, it trickles down the slope into the pond. As a yellow hazard, the rules official said my options were to drop in the rough right behind where I entered the hazard. Bermuda Rough over water? Answer – No. That left a re-drop from 92. I went up to a pitching wedge, hit it heavy, it the bank, again trickling into the drink. It then became a “tin cup” moment. I held out my right hand towards Irv. ---- "Give me another." ---- Fueled with anger, I fired that damn PW behind the pin. A bad chip and 2 putts later I walked away with = 8 = Hole 15, Day 2 was only slightly better, only 1 in the water = 6 = Hole 15, Day 3, same 3 wood, same PW = On The Green = I actually danced in the fairway.

I played with 2 ladies that reminded me more of the typical SNEWGA golfers I play with, pleasant, cheerful and happy just to be here, from Indiana and Kansas. In the previous days, I witnessed golfers who were more ‘driven’, focused, perhaps a little ‘prima donna’ like.

I am humbled by everyone who watched on-line and rooted for me and Connecticut, equally that Irv came along to caddie and Lance was here to support me. Other competitors expressed envy that I had them with me.

Thinking about my week, I felt that I never adjusted to the Bermuda grass especially chipping and high irons. The rest of my game was infected by that. The few leisure rounds I’ve had in Florida were always in the cooler weather and the courses were dormant Bermuda with over seeded Rye. OK – that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it.

I was disappointed that I never broke 80. With a course rating of 75, I thought 79 would have been a good score for me, but it wasn’t my week. There is some solace knowing that Carol Semple Thompson, a legend in Women’s amateur golf, could not break the same hurdle. Knowing that, both Debbie and I felt less embarrassed by our scores.

All-in-all this was the greatest and most competitive golfing experience of my life. Valuable lessons were learned and I walk away knowing that I will be a better golfer for that. This and any other USGA event is certainly a golfing pinnacle worth striving for. As humbled as I am, it won’t stop me from trying again.

Day 5 – 2^nd day of competition, 9/19 – Afternoon tee-times for team Connecticut in the Texas Sun. Thankfully there was a slight breeze and some clouds. But the heat index was still around 100.

I tried with every ounce of my golfing soul to get that white ball in the hole. As a team we are now going into the final round in 36^th place. None of us made the improvements we had hoped for. The teams we played with are in the front of the pack, that being Virginia and South Carolina, well compared to us. So tomorrow we will be playing with Indiana and Kansas . They are tied for 34^th and a couple strokes ahead of us, so they are teams we need to lap to improve our position. The men are also in a similar position (T35), and we both are the first groups off of the 1^st tee at 7:30 in the morning. I will have more to talk about after our final round and a recap of the week.

Day 4 - 1^st day of competition, 9/18 – Ouch! The veteran Daria, was the anchor today. Unfortunately, I as the rookie, out first at 8:09 couldn’t set the scoring pace. Debbie’s score was equally disappointing to her. The greens are getting faster still, but not unfair. We finished the day tied for 29^th and the men are tied for 21^st. With Debbie and I posting disappointing scores, I am hoping that we can lap a few teams tomorrow. I presented a token gift from Connecticut to my playing partners from Virginia and South Carolina . The woman from Virginia is a polster who knows Nancy Johnson. Their gift was a set of Brass buttons from the Waterbury Button Co. They are embossed with an eagle that looks very much like the USGA logo, and they also make the buttons that are custom made for the Masters Green jacket.

Day 3 – 2^nd Practice Round and Texas BBQ, 9/17 - The course is getting tougher already. The greens are firming up as there hasn’t been rain in 3 days. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the houses around the course prove it, most of which I wouldn’t call a house but more like a 6,000 sq. foot multi-million dollar estate.

The architectural theme seems to be Tuscan as is the clubhouse. It is interesting to experience all the many dialects of our country in one place; a Texas drawl, a Carolina twang, Bostonian accent, and whatever it is that North Dakota has. As a team it seems we are all hitting the ball well, and with 2 practice rounds we are very familiar with the course. Tomorrow will be our first test of the 3 days.

The Men, Women and their guests all gathered this evening for a Texas BBQ cookout at the Fazio course, where the men are playing this week. Again we drove through all the state flags but this evening there were also western riders on horses as well. We were greeted at the valet parking by cowboys in chaps. A full Barbeque spread was had by all.

Lance and Irv visited the Men’s players locker room, so it looks like us ladies made out with the best accommodations for the week. There were western dancers and a live band. As we departed for the evening we were presented with brown goodie bags filled with milk and cookies. It was a festive but relaxing evening. Tomorrow is for real. Go Connecticut !

Day 2 – Practice Round and Players Reception, 9/16, Today we got to see and play this fabulous golf course. I visited my locker to start the day, a pre-golf ritual that I am not used to. From there it was off to the practice tee, Lance and Irv my caddie were there waiting for me. I hit a few balls, ProV1’s thanks to the USGA. Shhh don’t tell but Lance is bringing a few home, his favorite numbers 7 and 8. Then it was off to our 9:48 starting time.

Although we have been mentally prepared for very hot and humid conditions, the last 2 days have been 90 degrees with a light breeze and very low humidity. The course is very flat compared to Connecticut, and there is no bent grass to be found--all Bermuda. The rough is penalizing if your ball nestles down, but the fairways are generous. The greens are quite undulating, but the grain is easily visible. I made 3 birdies today and have a strategy for tomorrow’s practice round.

The Men and Women’s Team celebrated the evening at the player’s reception. It was a very large gathering, 300 players and many representatives from USGA, Regional Reps, various board members and Rules officials. Clearly the more important attendees had a blazer with an embroidered crest, how official.

As part of the ceremonies they had a tenor sing “God bless America ”. It gave everyone in the room goose bumps. This is the closest I’ll ever get to that “Olympic” feeling, i.e., sporting national pride. Introductions were made of every player in the room who had won a USGA event or was on a USGA national team. Clearly, there are players here that have impressive and extensive credentials. The best example of this was Carol Semple Thompson who seemed to have won almost every possible event or been on every possible team, more than once. For this she received a standing ovation from the audience. I think I’m inspired for tomorrow’s practice round!