Getting Closer

Hi everyone!

This is sort of a combination blog, as I didn't write anything after my third event finished, and I just finished my fourth.

Progress! It was great to see some good signs at the last two events. Even though I missed both cuts, I am getting much closer. At Kingwood, I finally drove the ball very well in a tournament. I was hitting my driver with conviction and making very confident swings, which is a must at this level. I also felt I controlled the ball well with my irons, in fairly tough, windy, cold, conditions. I didn't score well, as my short game and my putting were very poor, but the ball-striking side of things made me very happy heading into our fourth event at Cypresswood GC.

It was a strange order of events leading up to the last few days. Adam Speirs and I had played a few practice rounds at the Tradition course, where our event was, and the greens were in extremely bad shape. The Tradition course is absolutely wonderful, but the greens were in close to the worst condition I have ever seen for a tournament.

On Sunday, the day before the event, we were phoned, and told that the Adams Tour had changed the venue from the Tradition course to the Cypress course at Cypresswood. Adam and I raced over to the course to play a practice round, as neither of us had seen the Cypress course before. It was a neat little track, and it was good to get the practice round in. It was a little surprising to have the venue changed so soon before the event started, but we were able to get a practice round in, which made everything ok.

I really hit the ball well the past few days during the event at Cypresswood. I would actually consider the two rounds of golf some of my finest ball-striking I've ever had in a tournament. I was never in trouble off the tee, and I hit a lot of shots very close to the hole. I shot 73-72, one over par, and even though I missed the cut, I am very happy with the progress. My putting really let me down, as I missed a very large number of putts inside ten feet, but I really felt like I belonged out there over the past few days. I need to get back into a good solid routine of practice, as I have been spending a lot more time playing lately. I had been working very hard on my short game when I first arrived in Texas, and I felt very good about it over the first few events, while my ball striking struggled. Now that my ball striking is at a good level, I need to make sure I am giving the short game the time it deserves! I am still learning a lot about how to manage my practice and playing time, and how to find the best routine for myself, but I really feel like I am on the right track.

I will be down here for another week and a half, before heading back to Winnipeg for the holidays. It will be great to see all my friends and family back up North, even if I wont be playing golf for a little while! The Adams Tour starts up again the second week of January, so I'll arrive back down here a week or so before, and get everything back in shape to give the second leg a good run!

I know I finish my blogs like this all the time, but I really appreciate the support and well-wishes I am receiving from all of you! It is great to see my E-Mail inbox filled with messages from everyone, and I can't thank you all enough!

Stew

Back to Business!

Hello!

It's been a good while since I've written anything, but we had a small break in the schedule with the Thanksgiving holiday. I had an absolutely wonderful time in Norman, Oklahoma with my friends JR and Erin, and their families, and I can't thank them enough for being such great hosts! It was a week of great fun, great golf, great weather, great friends, and just an overall great time! We even were joined by our friends Fergal and Lindsey for the weekend, and got to witness the Oklahoma Sooners beat up on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the big Thanksgiving weekend college football game. It was an absolutely incredible week, and even though it was tough to leave, it is great to back in the Woodlands.

We start another tournament tomorrow morning on the Forest Course at Kingwood Golf Club. It is a great golf course, although it will be a little wet, as we have had a good amount of rain the last few days, and it is pouring right now! It is always tough to be patient when the course is very wet, as you will get mud on your golf ball, bad lies, have to deal with casual water, and usually just a number of frustrations that you don't normally experience. Hopefully we will be playing lift, clean and place, through the green, but if we don't, you have to accept the bad breaks, benefit from the good breaks, and just keep grinding until the last putt is holed on 18. My dad has always taught me to be prepared for anything, so I most definitely will be more ready than just about anyone else, for any type of weather or course conditions!

This week has been really fun for me because Adam Speirs is down here playing the next two tournaments as well. Adam has always been a very good friend and someone I have looked up to, and it's been a blast playing and practicing with him the past few days. Adam has accomplished quite a lot in his golfing career thus far, and I am trying as hard as I can to pick up a few pointers and tips along the way!

I have partially solved my driver dilemma, as Adam brought a driver head down for me to use while mine is being replaced. My good friends at the Caddy Shed graciously lent me one that I can play until I have received my replacement from Taylor Made, and I can't thank them enough. I heard there was a big sale down at the Shed, so go find all your Christmas presents for all your friends there, and tell them Stewart sent you!!!

Well, it's bedtime for me, and I'm really excited about getting this tournament underway tomorrow.

Wish me luck!
Stew