- 2:44 PM, Tuesday,
February 4th, 2014:
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- This day was
exciting from the moment I woke up. The countdown
until noon at this house was like waiting for a
Buckeye game to start. Jimmy and my father were here
pacing and helping set stuff up. We'd yell out the
time until we could start playing officially. My dad
had kept his (-6) ball from the day before and we,
were, ready... I think that's what I love
most about these days: it's all day. It doesn't even
matter if we're the only ones here at the beginning it
feels different when we're within the
qualifying hours. Instantly, it all means something.
Every stroke will be recorded and every round could
put you into the finals. The craziest thing? This is
my back, yard. Whaaaaaaaaaaat? I never play this
thing by myself (contrary to popular belief) so
GolfKon actually feels like a different place during
an event.
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- Windy came just
minutes later (someone finally listened when
I said come when it starts as it's easier to
score well) and we were OFF. As for the level of play
on Sunday? When
a (-4) 19 ends up being seventh place? You're
in a ridiculous tournament. Considering 2 of
the Top 5 players didn't even make it to the event?
And there were still three (-6) 17s and three (-5)
18s? Whaaaaaaaaaat? Sit back and enjoy the 15 minute
ride kicked off by "Mack the Knife"
himself...
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- Skipping down to
avoid spoilers within view of the video...
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- I'm done saying
"he had me", because yes he did. I cannot believe what
happens to your brain when you're on the last
difficult hole of the course. Hole 2 and hole 8 end
exactly the same. Yet the first time he approaches it
he's one under par and the next time two over.
<blinks> It's all, mental. You know what
I really think it is? You step UP to the hole 8
tee. You're higher than everyone, it feels like you're
being watched. And you second guess yourself. You hit
it differently.
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- However my dad
hitting the tee shot perfectly and then sixing the
hole? I, just... it is a bit of an optical illusion in
person. The right to left slant goes against what your
brain is seeing since the cement beyond the hole has
that same slant (to allow water to drain). So when
I stopped him and told him to point it right of
the hole? It feels like you are. That hit ended up
being completely straight, and then when the ball
slowed down it curved drastically left. It's a
mind-fuck for sure. I seriously thought
I was going to see my father legitimately angry
for the first time in 20 years. LOL. The day before
I saw him hit ball after ball perfectly.
<shrugs> In the end, since the course isn't
changing, it's really all in your head.
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- Let me also say
however, the birdie I hit on 8 was as close as you can
get to a miss. Re-watching it I say WOW
everytime. I really hit that off, and a putt
THAT long on that portion of the course? Is
realllllllllly hard. What a huge shot. That shot was
the reason Steven and I weren't tied at the end
of 9 holes. Just as close as can be.
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- ...but aren't you
sick of hearing that? I sure am. It's such a
schizophrenic feeling during the tournament. I can't
throw it. I physically can't. The second it
starts? I want to win... yet I'm also wearing the
"promoter" hat and I want desperately
for someone to beat me. Ugggggggh. So here's what will
go on the plaque...
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- One stroke.
ONNNNNNNNNE STROKE. And damnit, statistically?
That was the one. That was the one you guys had the
best chance at because it's only 9 holes. The next
best shot are the match-plays because I have to win 3
separate 9 hole rounds, but it's only against one
other player. And GODDAMNIT JIMMY. Stop turning
bogeys into triple bogeys cause you get pissed and
then stop setting up for the next shot. You hit the
last 3 shots on The Pyramid Hole in 11 seconds. 11
seconds dude. Take your time. A bogey instead of a
triple bogey would've had you at (-2) going into 8!
Instead you're (E) and you go nuts and hit a 6.
Grrrrrrrr.
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- Anyway, the whole
day was awesome. Lots of kids (the kid-putters I
bought came in handy!) having a blast. God I love
watching kids run around that course trying to
kick-ass. I'm slightly concerned one of the kids is
gonna hurt himself and I think I need to
talk to the parents of the younger ones, because you
really can't leave kids unattended on the course.
Besides them walking on the green when kids are
putting - wait oh yeah! Aside:
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- Jimmy got the
first eagle ever on 8! And even crazier? A kid was
walking on the green at the time and it went through
his LEGS. !!! Amazing, but yeah, kids have to be
supervised because although it seems laid back? To
most of the players, it's anything but. If you're one
stroke away from qualifying and hit it perfect - and
some kid kicks it? Oh shit. That's not good. It's very
difficult to get people to come to these things and
also get them to resepect that, say, when the
tournament is happening? To not scream, play
basketball or be, well, kids. It may be minigolf but
when you're putting a big shot? It's golf. Not sure
how to get across the etiquette of the game, yet still
let kids (and adults) have fun. Time will tell. I'll
be more aware of it from now on when I see new
kids on the course.
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- Oh and here's all
the stats... a new record of 72 rounds of golf played
during the event! Wow!
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- And finally, let
me welcome Anthony
Farrell to
the ranks of the "Pro Tour Players" on Golfkon.com. He
was not only a co-host during the broadcast... but
he's actually a very good putter with a (-6) in
qualifying. He played it safe on 8 which killed him.
Not even sure if he realized he NEEDED that 2nd shot
to stay tied. But he did, and he choked. He won't be
back in March since he's expecting his child within
days of the event, but the next major at the end of
May? He's my pick. One shot off the course record in
qualifying? Yeah. He's a gamer.
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- Alright! See you
at the end of March when double the amount of entrants
qualify (8) and anything is possible.
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- Adam
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