Are You A Closer?

[JEFF4i]

The hardest thing in golf, I think. Can you close? The only thing I think thats nearly as hard as this is pulling yourself together after a hard hole.

I can do the latter, I did today. My first day of my tournament I shot 67. I was happy, and in a tie for the lead. Today, well, a course that I can get mid-60s, I did 69. I was pretty bummed, but here's the thing. The pins were tough, and thats how it is. I had one par 5 that I got a 9 on, reminiscent of last year, but it was the last bogey today. I got my head back together.

So tomorrow, Sunday. I'm one back, in the final group. I've done closing before, and won, but it isn't easy, especially when I'm the youngest in the group. Experience helps a lot. But tomorrow, oh tomorrow.

Well, if they think they are getting anything from me, they're wrong. Tomorrow I might not win, but hell if I don't give every inch of myself. Its a scoring course for sure, tough, but rewarding. This tournament means a lot, its my favorite every year.

The swing is good, the driver is good, and the putting is good. I'll be the longest hitter in my group, which gives me the chance of bomb and gouge, or safe and strong. My putting was great today, which is what brought me back to one behind after a 9.

Its all on the table tomorrow. Win, lose, or playoff, no stops, no quitting, and hell if I don't give every bit of myself to that round.

[gwlee7]

Sometimes I can and other times I spew oil all over the place. I love playing in tournaments though. I like the competition and I like seeing how well my game holds up.

Today, I was defeated in my club's match play championship 4 & 3. To some, that may sound like a good old fanny whippin' but, I lost to a guy that is co-holder of the course record of 64. He had to make birdies to beat me and only won one hole with par. I felt like I played well. I am just not at his level ...... yet.

[mddubya]

Way to go Jeff, that's the attitude to have. The best of luck to you. Knock em dead tomorrow.

[ezra76]

Great shooting man. FTi in play?

[JEFF4i]

Great shooting man. FTi in play?

Without a doubt.

[JasonMacIsaac]

I wish I could say I am a good closer but I`m not...my putting goes right away when a great round is in the making. I went from being -1 with 5 holes to play in the amateur (T5th) to finishing 76 and shooting 84 the scond day to miss the cut. 5 over on the last 5 really put me in a horrible mindset for the second day. I didn`t want to be there andf 41 putts proved it.

[MIKE1218]

I am not a closer. I am a choker. Plus, whenever somebody asks me what I'm at score-wise, it causes an instant choke, as that's what I'm thinking about instead of the shot at hand.

For example, in one of my last high school tournaments this year, my coach asked me what I was at through 4 holes. I was -3, and after he asked me that, I came in with 39.

I told the guys at the WI outing that I was an extremely on or off putter, but they dismissed it because I was putting pretty good that day. In a money match with my buds I can putt lights out, same for a casual round, but put me in a tournament setting and it completely dissappears. :(

Anyway, best of luck to you Jeff.

[BigJim13]

What type of tourney is it? Is it pro or amateur? What is the prize other than the very important prize of bragging rights!

[JEFF4i]

Statewide Amateur. Still holding on to some fickle hope that I can possibly get back on the UNM team.

[Sandpiper3]

Im clutch off the tee, im absolutely clutch with my putter, but my irons go to absolute shit when i have pressure on....

Workin on that with coach to fix it.

[JEFF4i]

See, all n all, I'm good clutch. So here's hopin...

[zaphod]

Jeff--Wishing you the best on championship Sunday. Which courses do you play for State Ams. There are so many good ones in your area!!!!

[JEFF4i]

Actually the city ones. Ladera, Los Altos, and Arroyo.

Normally pretty easy courses, but I don't think anything is easy when its tucked 3 paces behind a sandtrap's fringe.

[zaphod]

I hear you. Short sided with dry fast greens. I suppose.

[APowell1990]

wow what timing lol. I just had the most clutch moment in my golfing career overall. Me and a friend who is just as good as me played 9 holes of match play. I was down after 7 holes and we both missed the green on 8. The late night dew caught my ball and I had about a 10 footer left for par. He about holed out. I drained mine to keep it going. The next hole was a 510 yard par 5. I carried the hill off the tee and had 175 left to the green. I pulled my 7 iron and had an impossible pitch. Once again I had a 10-12 footer under pressure. I drained another 1 and we went to a playoff. I bombed it to the 100 yard marker and parred the hole. My friend's 10 footer hit the MIDDLE of the hole and came out. It was amazing and we both admitted how much fun it was after.