Anyone who truly knows me knows how much I love Austin, TX. I always tell people, "There's literally something for everyone here" The people are friendly, there is always live music (among many other things to do), the golf is good, the weather is hard to beat, and even after almost three years of living here I still find the place visually stunning...Although I'm a huge believer in loving where you are or leaving, I will soon be doing both. Not forever, but for a couple of months. After a disappointing start to the golf season I found myself contemplating my future in the game yet again. This has happened a few times before, and I never seem to be able to find any peace with a decision on either side of the spectrum. So I came up with a plan that excites me to even write about.
On June 23rd I will work a typical opening shift at UT Golf Club, except this will be my last shift there, at least until mid-August. I will pack up my car and head back to my roots in New Hampshire. After all, there's nothing like 30 hours and 2,000 miles each way in the car to do some soul searching right? Well, I do plan to break up the trip a little bit. I plan to stop off in Columbus Ohio to see a few friends, and perhaps Connecticut as well. Once I get to New Hampshire I will begin preparation for the New Hampshire Open in later July. I grew up in New Hampshire and watched many of the state's best in complete awe as a kid. Guys like Phil Pleat, Craig Steckowych, and Bob Mielcarz. I was fortunate enough to gather some talent of my own over the years and compete against these guys. Every single time was a learning experience for me. I am well-versed in New Hampshire Golf History and it would mean a great deal to me to claim the only major championship put on by the NHGA that has eluded me.
More importantly though, regardless of my finish it will allow me to pay homage to the golf association that provided me a place to compete and learn the game from the time I was about 13 right up until I left for Texas. My final memory of the NHGA was an acceptance speech I gave at Manchester Country Club in 2008, three days before leaving the state and moving to Austin. I was fortunate that year to be crowned Player of the Year. This was an incredible honor for me as a young man. To be in front of a room filled with guys I had idolized as a child and be applauded for not just one day, or one week of solid play, but an entire season. Not only that, but the venue was a sentimental favorite as well, I had won the 102nd New Hampshire Amateur at Manchester Country Club three years prior. This was the single moment in my life that I began to believe in myself and my abilities, not just as a golfer...
After the New Hampshire Open I'll head to Maine to play in the Greater Bangor Open and compete for the largest purse I have ever played for, $10,000 to the winner! That sure could help in an effort to return to Q School in the fall. In the beginning of August I will head south to Philadelphia to watch one of my best friends from college, Dominic, get married. After wishing Dom good luck as a new husband It's back north to Rhode Island for the Rhode Island Open and another sweet monetary prize will be on the line. After all of this, I plan to head back to Austin, with a stop off in Sealy the second week in August for the Annual "Hotter 'N Hell" tournament to cap off my little road trip. I'm sure it'll be great to get back to Texas, and this tournament in particular provides an unbelievably good time year in and year out.
Upon return to Austin I plan to process everything I've been through and reassess where I am and where I want to be. As disappointing as it is to leave a place I love so dearly for two months, it sure will be nice to relax in the comforts of where I grew up. At least during this time, in this place, I'll be fully at peace with myself and I'll truly be able to assess my skills as a golfer.
