We all, pretty much, do some kind of planning, it may not be noted in a journal or written in a blog but generally we have a thought or two about the coming year and how we would like to see changes, increase, upgrades and a new view, taking us to that place we've never been before and we enter the new year with our eyes wide open and full of hope. This is good. Why would we want to enter a new year walking in the opposite of hope, when most of us have a choice?
Last year, I was glad to make it out of the year with a golf club still in my hand. I struggled every day to make it to the course to practice and play. You generally don't talk about down times because who is really going to give a guy much sympathy for spending his days walking about in a manicured park, playing a game? I mean come on...what could my problem really be. So, I didn't have a red letter year with my golf game in 2010 but I drug my sorry butt into 2011 with some good thoughts.
First I new that it couldn't get worse. Please God. Second, I had gained more experience in adverse tournament situations with strong players and third, my putting was much better and although it might not have been tour quality at that point it was on the way.
This year was something completely different, especially after last years complete flop! I built on my frustrating 2010 season and gained more experience in a variety of tournament situations, built my game by developing the new DreamSwing, played in Europe, played throughout the USA, putted like a stinkin' genius, got a new driver, a new 3-wood (and went back to my old one), learned about playing in winds that even the East Bay of San Fran doesn't have, found out that I need new custom clubs, made some great new friends, saw some long time friends and learned that I am able to head to Q-School in January.
...and that's not all!
Looking over the fence into next year I am glad to be taking some confidence with me, a new caddy (Matt), a new swing that brings serious consistency and those same friends that have been with me through the entire process. They are amazing and they know who they are. (Side bar: it's a real treat when I meet someone that is following my blog. Thank you. Tell your friends and don't forget to register as a friend!)
In January, I head to Portugal to play Q-School for the European Senior PGA Tour (EST). Qualifying School is six days of tournament that culminates in winning a little card given by the EST to play all, or some, of their tournaments. This little card is what we are aspiring to put in our wallets. It's a little piece of plastic that tells the rest of the golf world that you've made it to the big stage. That you have accomplished one of your goals.
There are few cards, but there are cards! Approximately 20% of those playing in the last day of Q-School receive their EST card. It's a battle for each card but it's a good battle and one I'm looking forward to.
For the next two months I will be practicing on the new DreamSwing, working out in the gym to build a little more flexibility, tone and cardio. As well, I will be looking for games that will put me in challenging tournament conditions on my way to Q-School.
I wonder what your next move is? I know you have things that will bring you great hope.
Byron
