So a week past Monday was The Open Regional Qualifying at fifteen venues throughout the UK for places in the Final Qualifying played last week. Many LIV players were in Final Qualifying as their only way in this year. My prep the week before was golf with three friends down in the Lake District….golf, food, wine and great fun. Great to relax – and then it was on to the weekend practice rounds.
I chose Alwoodley, a Heathland course down in Leeds. I was so pleased with the way I approached the day and with how I played. I reckoned level or one over would stand a chance, and as it turned out it was the one overs who played off for a spot. Anyway, I got it to two over on the 16th tee having just come off a birdie and from a good 3 wood tee shot, had another 150 yards in and a possible birdie again. It had been flying lies in the semi rough all day but this time I got some sort of flier and rocket ball (no spin) combined….result 10 yards over the green. Birdie chance all but gone even though my third ran past the cup by an inch. Result was birdie chasing into the wind at the last two holes but sadly no cigar!
The other story of the event I’d like to share was such fun. Practice round, the first was a driver into the wind, short of the fairway bunker and trees…..perfect I thought. Look at the forecast for the Monday and the wind was shown to turn 180 degrees. Sure enough, when I arrived the first was downwind, and ahead of me they were all hitting irons. Now the first tee is right in front of the Clubhouse terrace and I guess there were around 70 members enjoying the show. Even though I have gained a lot of first tee experience, I would rather hit driver than a three iron off the first ! On the range my friend Mark, who was on the bag, commented that I was hitting 5 wood solid so the 1st tee club decision was made, 5 wood it is!
Once announced the gathered crowd gave a huge round of applause to which I graciously tipped my cap……while thinking “wow I hope I can give them something to cheer about”…….routine and then relief to see that I had made contact and indeed produced a great strike down the middle…….more applause and more cap tipping followed. Me?……I’m now loving life !…….and so another small step along the way.
All the best
Calum