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.