Q-School

I've played two practice rounds at San Juan Oaks in Hollister, Ca. and spent the past two years preparing to qualify for the PGA Tour. This is the begining of the most grueling, demanding and pressure packed tournaments in golf and I couldn't be more excited.

The course this week will play about 7200 yards and is set in the rolling hills of the Silicon Valley. It requires precise iron play and deft touch around the greens. Off the tee it gives me an immediate advantage as it begs long drivers to unleash their drives in the generous fairways. The challenge comes between holes 14-18, where split fairways, multiple hazards and desert await.

I couldn't have asked for a higher quality of play during my practice rounds, nor could I have asked for a more beautiful region of the country to make my life long dream a reality. This should be a very special week.

Round 1 begins at 9:18 tomorrow morning...

Update

In the last month since my Q-School pre-Qualifier, I have traveled south to Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga and New Orleans. I practiced with a college teammate on a similar path as my own in Atlanta. I made my way over to Birmingham to work on my swing with my coach. Chattanooga hosted a Monday qualifier for a Nationwide Tour event in which, I shot 68 and missed qualifying by one stroke. I am writing this post from New Orleans where I will practice until I leave for my next Q-School stage this Thursday.

My ball striking has improved since I've returned from the Korean Tour and I am banking on a few closer birdie opportunities lead to lower scores in Q-School. I will embark to San Juan Oaks in Hollister, CA for my coming Q-School stage. I will get out there and being writing regularly with a full course scouting report and daily updates.

It is "crunch time" in the world of mini-tour golf with everyone vying for a spot among golf's elite. This fall, I intend to elevate myself to that status.

Moving On

I finished 26th at qualifying and am moving onto the next stage. The final round was grueling as it got more windy than any other tournament day with final round tournament conditions. Without my A or B game, I grinded my way to a round of 74, which beat the field's average score. I will find out when and where I am playing on September 30. There are two more stages similar to last week before the finals in December; "It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll." Until then, I'll be working hard towards being ready for my PGA Tour debute. Thanks for the support!

Early Q-School Heat

After three rounds, I sit inside the cut line with one round to play. I've hit many high quality shots, but uncharacteristically, have played the par 5s very poorly (out of the 12 I've played, I'm +5. In an average tournament, I might play par 5s -5 or better, a difference of 10 strokes.) Thus, I've left some work to do tomorrow. A solid round with minimal mistakes will have me advancing to the next phase of PGA Tour qualifying.

I made some great saves today to get my ball around the course in 72 stokes. Tomorrow I will try to get off to a quick start to give myself further breathing room. Should that not happen, I will focus my attention on staying relaxed and patient, utilizing tactical prowess, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I have a bit more pressure to perform in the final round than I would have anticipated, but it will be perfect preparation for the next phase of this grueling qualifier that extends through December.

Q-School Rd. 1

On a blustery, rainy day at Jennings Mill CC I posted +2, 74 to open the tournament. The low score of the day was 70, which leaves me within striking distance for round 2. This stage of the tournament is played in 4 rounds with 39 players and ties advancing to the next stage. I performed well in a few areas today and chipped in on the final hole to leave the course with some joy. If I can play the par 5s better tomorrow (I played them +2 today) and get some momentum going with my putter, I will find myself headed into the final two rounds at the top of the leaderboard.

PGA Q-School

Q-School is here. The most grueling test in a golfer's career.

It doesn't matter what's happend in the past. All that matters is with a few months of great play, my future can change dramatically. I can take the largest stride of my life towards creating my dream with 18 rounds of amazing golf. 4 of those rounds are played this week at Jennings Mill Country Club outside Atlanta. The course is challenging with many long par 4s and deep, bermuda grass rough waiting to pull player's shots down to the depths.

I've hit a new stride in the last two days here. My ball striking is very solid and I have acute control of my shots. I've put alto of effort into preparing around these greens and I know opportunities will transform into success this week.

My first round begins tomorrow at 9:50. You can follow the results at http://www.pgatour.com/qschool/

I believe this week I wont make you scroll down from the top of the leaderboard.

Another Brick Wall

I am coming home for PGA Tour qualifying...to achieve the first major milestone of a life-long dream. My ball striking is continually improving and the US style of golf suits my game.

I unfortunately moved from the penthouse to the outhouse this week in a mere 27 holes to miss the cut. My putting let me down today. This is the first round I can ever remember where I have not made a single one putt. I finished at even par for two rounds and it appears I will be missing the weekend by a stroke or two.

I will be leaving Asian golf behind without a first place check. If I can make up for it by picking up a few on the US PGA Tour though, it will have been worth it.

A terminally ill professor at Carnegie Mellon said in his 'Last Lecture': "brick walls are placed in the way of dreams to weed out those who don't want them badly enough." I am going to keep climbing and pushing on those walls until I reach the other side, break through, or both.

See you at home.