“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” ~ Buddha

 Back on the road again after 3 days spent at home!  I am on my way to Goffstown, New Hampshire to compete in the New England Charity Classic.  I am well-prepared with my travel essentials and airport food as my dinner during my layover J

The motto for this week:

·      Enjoy every minute of the trip and appreciate the travelling and seeing new places and playing golf.  As my dad mentioned to me the other day, I should feel lucky that I have the opportunity to travel and play golf as my job.  Sometimes I feel that we are so caught up in what we are doing that we forget to enjoy the moment so I am really going to take a step back and have a better mindset for the week

·      Decide and commit to every decision I make with each shot

·      Play the game and focus on every opportunity to be better with each shot to be played.

2014 Canadian Junior Championship Experience as Team British Columbia Coach

I have been so excited for this week the moment I knew I was about to be put in a position I have never been in.  I had no idea what to expect for the week but overall it was the most amazing thing that I have done in a long time.  I feel that I have spent so much time on my game honing in on my skills on the golf course but not enough time on the mental aspect of the game.  I have never spent so much time off from the game up until this week.  I took about 6 days off this week to represent Team BC as the Provincial Coach.  I was given this opportunity in order to share my knowledge and help give back to those that have made me who I am today.  I am so blessed being able to do what I love and help others.  The best part about this whole trip is the learning experience that I have gained from the 5 days.

 

The first round of the Canadian Junior Championship began on Tuesday July 29th.  The girls had a late afternoon tee time and finished as one of the last groups.  In preparation for this event the girls had a practice round in which we were able to strategize our ball placement on the course.  I can see it in their eyes how bad we wanted the Provincial Team title.  Thornhill Golf and Country Club is anything but an easy course.  With the course placed in a valley it was fairly hilly.  The tight fairways surrounded by large trees and several undulation on the greens makes the course difficult.  Many girls commented on the beauty and uniqueness of this golf course.  After the round we spent time working on a few technical things on the range and getting a feel of the greens in the practice area.  Alix and Kathy have worked hard on their game and their swings show it.  At the end of our practice we found ourselves eating at the player's reception for a mandatory rules meeting.  All the provincial teams were introduced and stood proudly representing their provinces.  There are a lot of memories from these junior events as I have been through many Canadian Junior Championships myself.
Back in the day I had the opportunity to be part of the BC Team for both the Junior and Amatuer Teams and were crowned provincial champions numerous times.  It feels so good to be part of the girls experience as they go through the same process that I have been through.

(Alix Kong, West Vancouver)

(Kathy Lim, Langley)

(Alisha Lau, Richmond)

I felt that I was able to share my knowledge especially with knowing everything that is going on in the players minds before, during and after their round and being able to help them through it.  Watching their dedication and focus throughout the week is something that players don't always notice about themselves and I learned that this week.  I feel that us players don't give ourselves enough credit for the hard work we put in and dedication just for this game!  Watching the girls play the game make it look so easy and I feel that we do take certain things for granted while we play, especially the amazing shots the girls hit from certain places or even just striking the ball.  The learning experience that I gained from this week is priceless compared to anything that I have ever done for my own game.  I feel that this experience that I have now into the next event for me in New Hampshire is so advantageous.  For example, having a much better attitude on the course leads to better shots, taking the extra 10 seconds to check the yardage or any factors that may influence my shot and appreciating the good shots because it is not because of luck!

Part of the process of succeeding at something is to overcome obstacles that test your ability to continue dedication and passion throughout.

*****

"The moment you're ready to quit is usually the moment right before the miracle happens. Don't Give Up."

Another Day, Another Opportunity to be Amazing

This upcoming week I was given the opportunity to be the "Apprentice Coach" for girls on Team British Columbia at the Canadian National Junior Girls Championship held at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ontario.  The team will be competing for the two-day Inter-Provincial Championship trophy.  It would not have been possible without the help of my sister Stephanie who now works for British Columbia Golf as the CN Future Links/ Teams Summer Coordinator.  My sister had the opportunity to talk to Debbie Pyne (Managing Director of Player Development at BC Golf) and in turn had been a chance for me to explore something within my love of the game, COACHING!

Although this week won't be about my play or results of my game, I am really looking forward to Team BC which consists of Kathy Lim of Langley, Alix Kong of West Vancouver and Naomi Ko of Victoria.  Today was the official practice round for the girls where we found ourselves playing with all weather elements falling amongst us.  It was a cold, wet, windy morning but coming from the Pacific Northwest, we were no stranger to this weather.  We decided to play in what Mother Nature brought us and finished the round with the warm sun shining down on us.  It was a blast learning about the girls and their games and being able to help them out at the same time.  The only difference about playing and coaching is the physical action of hitting the ball.  Everything else is very similar and I find that with my knowledge and experience both the girls and I were learning more about the game through studying the course and helping each other out.  It was such a liberating feeling when I was able to help Alix out with her ball striking and her reaction was nothing less than an appreciative player striving to become better!

 

(From Left to Right: Alix Kong, Kathy Lim)

The evening winded down with a mandatory players meeting and player reception that consisted of a gourmet buffet meal.  Soon after, we headed back to the host hotel which was the Delta Hotel in Markham, Ontario.  Tomorrow is the First Round of the National Championship and Inter-Provincial Championship.  Results and briefing to come!

http://golfcanada.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/rcga14/event/rcga1417/index.htm

"Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything."

It has been a rough week to say the least, more mentally than my skill in the game.  I put in everything I had but for some reason its as if I am being tested in terms of my mind strength in order to persist through my rough year.  I have changed my practice routine, longer hours at the golf course and having little to no social life.  I was striking the ball better than I have ever had in a long time but could not validate it with my disappointing putting game.  I have learned to keep my head up no matter the result in order to move onto the fact that it is just a game.  I know it will come together but it is a matter of time and although I am moving at a slower pace than others I can't put so much pressure on myself.  In terms of moving on, it was another great experience where I was able to really see what I need to continue working on and what I need to maintain in my golf game.  Although this was not my best week, I still believe that I will have my time.  It may not be today or tomorrow or even next month, but I am not willing to give up!

*****

My friends on tour managed to put a smile on my face after my round which I learned is important in keeping a positive mindset for the future.

Practice Round #1- Capital Hills at Albany

It was an early 6:15 am Eastern Standard Time wake up call today to prepare for a 7:30 am shotgun start.  As I dragged myself out of bed I was excited to see the course and the conditions that we have to look forward to.  My roommate and I luckily got housing this week which helps greatly especially in terms of sharing the cost of a car and everything in between.  (Did I mention we got a free upgrade from a Nissan Versa to a small SUV, aka: a Buick Encore?!) It had about 2 miles on it when we picked it up J

We finally headed off to the course which is a 3 minute drive from our host family’s house and loaded up our bags on our power carts for the long practice round ahead of us.  Not to mention at this time of day it was already about 24 degrees Celsius and 80% humidity!  I teed up my ball for my first swing of the day, although the muscles in my body felt a little tight from the travel day yesterday I was able to hit the ball in the left centre of the fairway.  From there it was a day of practice and getting to know the course by determining the slope and distances of ideal spots on each hole.  Truthfully enough, I am very thankful I have a volunteer caddie for the week as this course is not going to be an easy walk.  It is a golf course placed in the hills of Albany in New York where approach shots and par 3 tee shots must allow for +5 to +10 yards of uphill slope! By the way I was striking the ball and making strokes with my putter, I feel that I am so ready to compete this weekend starting Friday. 

After a couple hours of practicing and having lunch at the course I decided that I desperately needed a nap after only 5 hours of sleep the night before.  It was probably the greatest 25 minutes of rest I had given my body today!  Soon after, it was that time to hit the gym and work on my mobility and stretch out my body from the long day of travel to prepare for the weekend J  As part of the Symetra tour, at each event we have priviledges at fitness faciliites where we are able to keep up our fitness and training.  I headed out to the YMCA in Delmar and began to warm my body up for the week.  I had worked up a good sweat and after some time I needed to get some groceries to meal prep for the week.  My grocery list consists of string cheese, vegetable medleys, chicken breasts, baby potatoes, spinach, eggs, vitamin water (dragonfruit flavour), greek yogurt and orange juice.  My meal prep for lunches on the course is a combination of grilled chicken, vegetables and potatoes and string cheese to snack on.  It is important to maintain the level of energy throughout the 5 hour round especially during hot and humid days.  By preparing a balanced meal with necessary protein, vegetables and carbs I am allowing myself to be well nourished on the course.  For people who know me, they can agree that I eat A LOT!

Speaking of eating a lot, I enjoyed a “Fantastic Roll” at the Hana Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar tonight with my roommate and her friend. YUMMY!

It has been a long day, and it is time to catch up on my zZz’s.  Good Night until tomorrow!

On the Road Again!

                                                                                                                                             July 22, 2014

Day one begins as I depart for Albany, New York in Vancouver, BC.  I am back on the road after a three-week break and this week I am competing in an event in Albany for the Symetra Tour event hosted at Capital Hills.

During the break I have spent a lot of time on my game in that I have broken down each segment into its own and made it better.  In other words, I really focused on my putting stroke through better alignment and trusting to put a solid stroke to the ball.  I have spent hours everyday at the infamous practice hole at Richmond Country Club where I honed in on my wedge game and overall short game.  The 110 yard hole allowed me to practice from various lies and distances that are very advantages when it comes to short game practice.  One difference in my practice over the past couple weeks is that I have also put in at least an 18-hole round daily to put my practice to the test.  Not only by playing holes I was getting better, but I was maintaining my competitiveness by playing along the Richmond Country Club Women members whom have taken me as their own.  They have generously invited me to play in their Tuesday Ladies events, Interclub matches and even Invitational events.  Through this type of practice on the course by “just playing the game”, I was able to be free of technicalities and mentally be free by playing golf.  Because that’s what its all about, right? To play golf?  

Being surrounded with people who love the game as much as I do when I go to the golf course and make me feel so welcomed, it has a positive effect with me wanting to be even better and make my friends proud.  I feel that by just playing the game everyday I was putting my mind and body to the game and connected with the game I love which is so beneficial in succeeding in golf. 

 *****

As my Rookie year on the Symetra Tour has been a roller coaster of results from making cuts to missing cuts, from great happiness to disappointment I believe that I am so close to where I want to be.  I have consulted my game with those around me not only by the technicality of the swing but mentally and psychologically.  After spending the couple of weeks playing with the Women at Richmond Country Club I have felt much more appreciative of what I am doing for a living.  It is humbling that even when I miss hit a shot, they still applaud me for it and for some reason still invite me to their events!  I have never seen it from another pair of eyes but golf is a difficult game and they have really brought me back to why I play in the first place, because I love it and that no matter what shot I hit I am where I am today as a result of the time and effort that I have put in.  Psychologically, the time on the course with the ladies have really made me a much more confident person and player and I can’t wait to bring it out on tour! 

I have also consulted in my long-time swing coach and what I call my life coach Jennifer Wyatt, in all the aspects of what I feel needs attention.  She has been with me from the beginning and has been so honest in her intentions to help others that her presence makes you a better person.  Through her experience of achieving greatness and succeeding during her time on the LPGA, she has given me insight and really understands the circumstances and challenges in being the best.  One of her very good intensions in helping me was connecting me with Ryan Crnac whom I met about two months ago and helped me fit my clubs to my size and ability.  He has also brought out the better side of me in constantly telling me that he and Jennifer believe in me and I am so close to where I want to be that I have the ability to win.  Not only just place well but win and that is the biggest thing that I need from my support group especially coming from very honest people and I am so appreciative of them.  They are truly good people!

The next thing that I really need to get backing from are potential sponsors who are able to help in getting me to where I need to be.  As my first year on tour financially and independently has been an honest struggle.  It has withheld me from competing in some events because of the cost of travel expenses.  Golf is something that not many people see as a competitive sport but as a recreational weekend activity.  I have lived and breathed this life for as long as I can remember and nothing about it is recreational.  I have put my body, sweat and tears into this game through training and it has brought me where I am today.  Sometimes it can be a love-hate relationship but my love for the game has kept me going.  There are those who doubt me and will not support me in my ambitions, yet there are those who have done everything in their power in helping me succeed with their good and honest intentions.  If only I could get one message across to those who read my blog it would be that this life is difficult, especially when I put every breath and effort into something but am still keep my head up during times of struggle and defeat.  I just want to personally thank Richmond Country Club for giving me the opportunity to spend my 10 hours on the daily with them and making it an both a social and enjoyable game again.