Event #4 Ocotillo Golf Course

Hi everyone

Sorry for the late blog.  I have been feeling under the weather and took a few days off.

I played my practice round with a friend of mine Jason and had a great time.  It was nice to play with someone who has a fantastic golf game and knows what it is like to make this a career.

In previous blogs I wrote about golf and how this journey is a process.  This week at Ocotillo Golf Course it started to come together with two solid rounds. My game is improving as I realize that I should be more confident in the game I have.  Golf can be very humbling at times but while one realizes that no round is perfect there is always hope for a great shot no matter how bad the round might be.  I try and stay positive throughout my golf round no matter how I am playing or the shots I am making, but sometimes you ask yourself if staying positive actually fixes anything.  My answer to this often asked question is this:  A positive attitude might not always fix or change how you are swinging but at least it usually keeps matters from becoming worse.  In golf, great shots come when least expected and sometimes all it takes is a little positive energy to turn the back nine around. 

Course Review- Ocotillo Golf Resort

This luscious emerald green course sits in the heart of Chandler, Arizona.  Three nines hearty, it is enriched with small lakes running throughout the entire property.  While the water looks intimidating it is a breath-taking scene.  We played the Gold and Blue course leaving the White for those resort golfers who dare the challenge.  Driving up Country Club Drive one is consumed with the course's enchanting feel.  With a beautiful dining terrace and ample space to enjoy its other elements, the course accommodates everyone.  The driving range is quite spacious and in great shape.  The putting green and chipping area are uniquely placed if front of the dining terrace, leaving you a royal feeling of importance as you work on your game in front of an audience.  Overall the course plays fair and rewards those who can control their drivers.  Set yourself up in a good position and find yourself putting for birdie after birdie.

I give it 4.5 stars

I hope everyone is having a great week and continuing to work on their golf game.  I have this week off and am taking next week off as well in preparation for Florida in a couple weeks.  My next event will be the Wildfire event March 5-7.  I’ll be around these next few weeks and if anyone has anyone comments or questions feel free to contact me. 

Amanda

Event #3 Wigwam

Hello Everyone

I seem to remember greatgolfers often saying the game takes time. One shot at a time. The first day Ihad a few birdies and some bogeys.  Thesecond round I felt at ease but could not sink any of my birdie putts.  I had something like 8 birdie putts within 8feet and couldn't drop any.  With a few bogeys and no birdies my round stood "decent" again.  Sitting in the middle of the pack a strong3rd round could possibly place me in the money. The 3rd round I struggled settling into a rhythm which left me scramblingall day.  The round felt as though I hadshot 90 and I was quite surprised when I still broke 80.  I saved par with an up and down 7 times.  Nothing like making yourself work a little.

              My best rounds usuallyfeel as though I just swing and everything falls in to place.  I notice that when I shoot 70 it never feelsas though I had to work hard.  My mind isat ease and I just let things happen rather than forcing them to happen.  My mental game is getting stronger everyround but sometimes I believe I push too hard to for a par or birdie. 
              I was once told that golf is one of the fewthings in life that you can't "want too much" and it actually takesaway from your game.  My personality is astrong one and anyone who knows me, knows that I am very hard on myself attimes.  It's strange because most peopleget hung up on the bad shots.  I myselflet the bad shots go but seem to cling to the adrenaline of the great shots.  It kills me to shoot a poor round because Iknow I am capable of great shots.  Firstround of the event, hole 18, dog leg left par five, I hit my second shot and itclips a tree which spits me out into a water hazard.  My ball is sitting half out of the water andon the small mud bank.  I climb down intothe water (shoes and all) with a hybrid and from a slippery mud bank with feetfully submerged I managed to hit a 180 yard third shot to be left with a 10 yardchip across the green.  What makes mecringe is the fact that I can hit a crazy and unpredictable shot like that andstill shoot just "decent."

         People always say thatthey have found their calling and they knew it right when it happened.  They could "feel it inside theirheart." When starting golf about 6 years ago I fell in love with it butwas never sure if it was my true calling. Ever since I turned pro and have played these last 3 events (regardlessof score) I KNOW this is what I am supposed to be doing.  I feel it stronger than I have ever felt itin my heart.  And while people continueto ask "what's going on with my game" or "why I am not shootingbetter" I will continue knowing that it will come with time.  It's a different world out on the pro circuitand it's the hardest thing I have ever done. That's why I absolutely am in love with it.

Review: Wigwam Golf Resort (Red/HeritageCourse)

           The course sits on theoutskirts of Phoenix in Litchfield.  Ithas three courses and the Red sits about a 5 minute cart ride away from theother two.  It was built in the early 1900'sand has a slightly older feel.  Not muchwater on the course but it has some brutal dog legs that require your undividedattention.  The course definitely has itsfair share of Fairway and green side bunkers. Most green side bunkers seem to be about 10 yards from the actualgreen.  A different look on approachshots is required.  All greens are rockhard causing one to strategically place their approach shot 10 yards short ofthe pin allowing it to roll up.  Thecourse is in pretty good shape but one can tell the course gets a lot ofplay.  A fun little course to test yourbag of shots.  Stay in the fairways andyou will have the time of your life. Miss the fairway and you will be swinging your life away. Haha. Practicefacility has ample room and has a huge chipping green to work on short and longshots.  Well done Wigwam!

I give it 3.5 stars!

 

Keep tuning in and please spread theword about my blog.  Everyone is welcome!

Event #2 Orange Tree Golf Resort

Hello Everyone

Well I survived my second event at Orange Tree Country Club.  Played a practice round Sunday and then played Mon-Wed.  I played decent but definitely not up to my true potential.  The practice round went smoothly and I felt prepared for the event.  Day one I had a great front nine with a few trouble holes on the back.  I had a water ball and an OB which definitely did not help my score.  The second day was a little better but I still had a water ball that kept me from shooting 74.  The last day I did not strike the ball as well but hung in there and made a few birdies.  Overall, the round did not portray what I know I can do out on the course.

Reflection-  So I definitely learned a few things as I stepped back and took a look at three days.  I believe golf is a sport in which one has to let it happen and not always try to force a better score.  My caddy and I discovered a few things we could do better as a team as well.   It's just a matter of time but it will come together. One important thing I paid attention this week was physical stamina.  Because of nerves I usually only eat something small like a piece of toast or cereal before the round.  The first day, around hole 10,  I was very shaky and interpreted that as nerves. (but why would I be nervous after 9 holes?). I started to lose focus and when I turned in my score card I noticed I was even on the front and a million over on the back.  This has been the pattern for the past few tournament rounds (hmmm).  It finally hit me that I was starving myself and therefore losing focus.  I was so involved with my game that I ignored my body and what it needed to have a successful round.  I now eat a breakfast of protein and carbs to create a most substantial effect. I also eat a small handful of nuts, granola, or fruit every 3 or 4 holes.  I think it is key to listen to your body and pay attention to how it reacts to things like nerves and adrenaline.  Remember…Everyone is different.

Course review:

Orange Tree Golf Resort is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  It is your traditional golf resort with condos right on the course and a very comfortable feel.  The course itself is about 50 years mature and is a "what you see is what you get" style.  The course is lined with trees and fairly flat.  The course fell into bankruptcy about a year ago and was bought and taken over by a Scottsdale golf group and they are doing everything they can to get it back to mint condition.  The course itself was not bad as the greens rolled pretty true and fairways were nice.  Because the course is older the greens are very small and surrounded by bunkers.  If you can hit a reasonable approach shot you have a good chance for your birdie or par.  The only part of the course that I was truly not happy with was the driving range.  We literally warmed up in a pile of sand.  Eventually we found a spot to the side of the range that had a bit of grass but the actual range lacked even one blade of green.  It was disappointing as many people found frustration.  Pay for a golf resort and not feel warmed up before your round…Not a good thing.  The practice greens were as good as they could be but at least rolled the same as the greens, just maybe a few less bumps along the way. The starter and rest of the staff were very accommodating and friendly.  They definitely helped the “resort feel” and welcomed all guests.  I wouldn’t say that I do not recommend this course as long as you understand it is a work in progress.  So if you’re on your only week vacation of the year and you are expecting to play something like Pebble Beach I probably would look into something else. 

I give it 3 Stars

Headed to Wigwam in the Phoenix area this Monday!

P.S.  Don't forget to spread the word to all your golfing friends.  Feel free to email or comment. :-)

Amanda