Fragile Toes and the Southern Texas PGA

I've just arrived home in Austin after a successful week in San Antonio, qualifying for the first stage of Q School. I had a final round 78 that was better than the scorecard would indicate, and comfortably made the cut by 7 shots.

I was successful this week thanks to a number of people and good fortune. First off, Robert Salas drove from Austin to San Antonio 5 days this week to carry the bag and offer advice along the way out of the kindness of his heart as he has done many times in local events as well. I know I'm not always easy to deal with but I hope he enjoys our time together and it doesn't always feel like work. Second, Jenna Amber Herandez was kind enough to lend me the loft in her apartment this week only 10 minutes away from the course to save me some money on a hotel. Every little bit helps, and it's always better to have some human interaction before and after a tournament round rather than hotel walls staring blankly back at you. Also, a thanks to all of the well wishers who would call, text, or email. It means a lot to know that y'all are pulling for me every step of the way. And yes, I did just use the word "y'all".

Two forgettable parts of the week that I want to make note of now that the tournament has come and gone. My (still) broken little toe on my right foot is healing, but still quite a nuiscance. I think I'll try and give it a rest as soon as possible after walking over 100 holes on it right after breaking it. Second, the Southern Texas PGA definitely fouled this tournament up from start to finish. There were a laundry list of problems throughout the week, with a field of only 81 professionals. I am proudly a Texan, but by the end of this tournament I found myself embarrassed for the chapter in front of the other pros from all over the country and all over the world. Luckily, not all of these snags affected me, and I was able to endure the ones that did.

I will find out where and when I will tee it up next on September 28th. I have asked to be placed in Texas, either Houston or Lantana. So, until the end of this month I'll have my fingers crossed...

See, Feel, and Trust.

After an uninspired second round I arrived at the course early to prepare for "moving day" on Thursday. Tour players affectionately name the next to last round "moving day" because players jockey for position going into the final round. Most of the players teeing off in the afternoon found things to complain about. I found it slightly humorous: "It's going to take at least five and a half hours to play today..." "It's gonna be so hot today..." These people are playing in the afternoon because they're in the upper portion of the field, and poised to easily go on to the next level if they just focus and get to work.

As I went through some early swipes on the practice tee I found myself looking for a swing thought that I could take to the course. This is when I remembered a book I recently read by Dr. David Cook called "Golf's Sacred Journey" In the book the main character, a professional golfer, is at the end of his rope when a man comes into his life and teaches him not only how to get his golf game in order, but his life as well. He teaches him to See, Feel, and Trust all of his decisions. I decided that I would take this philosophy to the course rather than a swing thought. I know I have the game to hit any shot out there, I just need to be committed to my decisions.

I marked my golf ball with "SFT" as done in the story and proceeded to shoot a two under par 70 highlighted by an electrifying eagle on the 565 yard par five 6th hole. I definitely made a move in the right direction this moving day as I am now tied for 5th place with just the final round remaining. So here's what is probable for tomorrow: It will probably be another slow round. It will probably be hot again. Now here's what I know about tomorrow: I will tee off at 11:55. I will See, Feel, and Trust every shot. And I will be wearing orange...

Round Two Highlights

Round two started early and early in the round I needed to wake up again. A missed drive to the right on the 5th hole led to a double bogey that could have easily been worse. The struggle continued on the following hole when I missed the green from about 100 yards and that led to another bogey. A good par save on the 7th stopped the bleeding but the day grew to be more and more stale. I missed shot after shot, and when a good one was thrown in there I found myself completely incapable of converting the birdie putt. I managed to wiggle two birdies home on the back nine, however they were met with two more bogies ad my round totaled 75.

I never felt right today. As disappointed as I am with how I played, the number on the scorecard was not that bad. 146 for two rounds on this golf course certainly hasn't put me out of position. I'm still in a good spot heading into the third round tomorrow.

The Number One

(Photo by Robert Salas)

A lot has been made of the number one this week. I'll start with the good news. My first event as a professional is The PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. TPC San Antonio's Canyons Course plays host this week for the Pre-Qualifying. In honor of my first event, and first round as a professional I played a Titleist 1. Also, the first hole was quite indicative of how the round would go. A drive down the middle of the fairway left a good angle to the back hole location. A solid wedge shot left about 9 feet for birdie and the putt peered into the hole before rolling 8 inches or so past for an easy par. I played solidly most of the day, making three birdies against just two bogies and posted a one under par 71 on the demanding layout. Tournament one, Round One, Ball #1, Hole One, One Under par. Unfortunately I am not in first place, but I am comfortably placed on the scoreboard and three more rounds like this one will definitely do the trick.

The unfortunate detail involving the number 1 is that I am operating on one less toe than everybody else in the field this week. A bizarre incident while packing Saturday night left my little toe on my right foot broken, severely bruised, and swollen. After icing, medicating, and coaxing my right foot into a golf shoe Sunday afternoon for my first practice round I immediately wanted back out of the shoe. The pain was immense. I quickly found a new stride, walking on the inside of my right foot to relieve pressure, which in turn made my entire right leg sore in places I didn't know existed. The one positive thing I took away from the course on Sunday was that the injury did not appear to affect my swing, just the long walks between shots were excruciating. Because of this I decided to forgo my second practice round on Monday in exchange for rest. I just played the back nine in untied tennis shoes, which still didn't feel great.

After more ice, more Aleve, and a little more coaxing I got my foot back into a golf shoe this morning and was able to play some decent golf despite the distraction literally every step of the way. Now its back to the ice until tomorrow morning when I get to do it all again.

Who Wants a Piece of Me?

With the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament on the horizon I felt I should get the word out there that I am looking for investors. I have created a detailed expense list for my endeavor to Q School and broken the entire cost into 100 equal shares. For less than $100 you could own a piece of me and this venture. If you're interested and you have my phone number that's the best way to reach me. If you don't have my number, rather than post it on here just send me an email at mrcraigcyr@gmail.com and we can either talk via email or I'll send you my phone number.

I've been at it pretty hard, practicing daily. I've been trying my best to really focus on one part of my game each time I practice, and not leaving until I feel I've learned something and gotten better at it. This has been a steady process and I'm impressed with the results in such a short time frame. A little focus goes a long way in this game.