Playing BREAD...

Sometimes tournament golf can become frustrating...wait...let's rephrase that. Sometimes golf can become frustrating. We often blame ourselves for bad shots...that have gone astray...into a neighbors back yard...or 'kurplash' into the pond. I believe it was Jack Nicklaus, that scored a 13 on a par 3 at The Open Championship in Britian. 13! Known as the greatest player to date. Maybe it was an 11...maybe it was a par 4...REALLY, does it matter at that point?

We get out of our game and away goes the score. Staying within your game is a big part of tournament golf. BUT even more important is finding your game in the first place! "To thine own self be true." Yea, but sometimes we need a bit of coaxing. Which brings me to the point.

Yesterday, during a Pepsi Tour tournament here in NorCal I had an idea to help me stay focused and in the game. I like to keep track of my personal stats, ie; Fairways hit, Greens in Regulation, number of putts, Sand saves, etc. I've been keeping my stats as a way of learning how to improve my game. Where are my strengths and weaknesses.

Yesterday, I decided to invent a new game. I call it BREAD! If you play golf then you've heard of a friendly game called, Skins. It's played in many different ways for whatever amount of money is agreed upon. Most of us play for small portions simply to 'keep focused.'

There are all kinds of different games in golf that we play for small wagers. Yesterday though, I decided to change the focus from me winning to others receiving by playing BREAD. WHAT?

Since I like to keep my stats, I decided to organize my stats as follows:

1. Fairways hit

2. Greens In Regulation - GIR

3. 1 Putts (not all putts but only 1 putts)

4. Sandy's (sand saves - out of the sand with a 1 putt)

5. Greenies (from just off the green with a 1 putt)

6. Chip Ins

7. Hole Outs (50 yards or more)

8 Hole in One (par 3's)

BREAD has Eight categories to mark. The difference yesterday was what I did with the points. Each category received one point. So, if I hit a fairway, that received a point, etc. Each point was given a predetermined dollar amount. At the end of the round, I tallied the stats and counted up the dollars earned.

Here's the fun part - for me. That money didn't go to me, it went to an account we created called, The Widow's Bread. A fund through our non-profit organization. Those funds will be distributed for the needs of widow's both near and far. From locally to internationally.

After returning home from the round I wanted to see how I played when I was truly focused on 'winning' money for The Widow's Bread fund, verses when I was more concerned for my own game. Want to know the results? Read on.

1. I made 21 points yesterday.

2. of the holes that I scored two or more points, I was -2 (that's good)

3. I had my first eagle in tournament play

4. I made points on 12 of 18 holes

5. the game was fun...

In six days I will qualify for the Nationwide Tour event, Fresh Express Classic, at Boundary Oaks Golf in Walnut Creek, CA. I will be playing BREAD. Which brings me to a challenge.

What about once a month, instead of playing Skins or Wolf, you play BREAD? Then give your 'winnings' to a local charity, or the junior program at the course where you play, or you can add it into our charity, The Widow's Bread (which is a tax deductible 501.c3.) The person with the lowest number of points has to buy a refreshing beverage of your choice. That will keep it competitive.

BREAD can be played by any number of players, in any setting. It both keeps you focused personally and it has added value beyond the course. I like BREAD!

Byron