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A few weeks ago, I told you how I qualified for my first USGA Mid-AM. This past weekend (it felt like a lifetime), I competed, and it was quite the experience. Here is a brief recap. Also, next Monday, we will debut a new Sweet Spot episode with a more in-depth conversation as well.
Playing in my first USGA event was a tremendous range of emotions.
Truthfully, I had massive anxiety leading up to Mid-AM. I quickly went from "Holy crap, I made it!" to "Holy crap, I now have to play in this thing!"
Knowing a lot of people would be tracking me was a little unnerving. But let's be honest, I did that to myself!
Saturday was an interesting start. We got called off the course after 3 holes and had a very long weather delay. When we came back out, I had an incredible stretch of holes that made me feel like I belonged and a brief feeling of invincibility. I felt great, kept making birdies, and was totally confident over the ball.
I hit some of the best shots of my life and will never forget them. A swinging hook from 200 yards in the trees to 3 feet (don't worry, there was a clear path!!!). Stepping over an approach shot on a Par 5 from 230 and telling myself I am going to smoke this hybrid, then landing it 10 feet from the pin.
Both are instant top-10 memories in 25+ years of playing. Then, I got called off the course, and the fire was extinguished.
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Less than twelve hours later, everything felt different. I took a seat on the struggle bus and lost confidence fast.
We had to finish the last six holes early the next morning, and my game felt totally different.
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As all of you know, golf comes at you very quickly. This was yet another reminder for me!
Even though I am the one usually giving the advice, I need to hear it too. Multiple weather delays made it a mental and physical grind.
To say we got the bad end of the draw is an understatement. But it's no excuse; I watched a strong player in my group deal with it all, and he made it to match play. Observing him was a great learning experience for me.
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Thankfully, there was one final stretch of perfect weather and appreciation for being out there. Playing in a national championship was beyond a long shot for me just a few years ago.
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I still am blown away at how quickly things change in this game.
And how adding layers of pressure changes your comfort level. My inexperience showed. I definitely got too high and too low. Usually, I can manage that when I compete.
But I also got glimpses of what's possible in my game. I won't let one tough day keep me down.
36 hours felt like a lifetime, and I don't think I've had a wider spectrum of emotions.
Anxiety, pride, embarrassment, dejection, elation, fear - they all showed up! I am genuinely drained.
I tried to prepare myself for the unknowns, but you never really can in golf. I know this experience pushed me to the brink of discomfort, and I will use that as a learning experience.
I always tell everyone that if you want to get better at this game, you need to force yourself to places you don't want to go. Everything always feels a bit easier afterward.
The sting of losing your game during the most pressure is very hard to deal with. On Sunday, I had to play 24 holes, and as much as I tried, many of them had me staring into the abyss mentally.
But that is exactly what I signed up for. When you put your game on the line, you have to accept the good and the bad.
The event was unbelievable. The USGA did a phenomenal job setting up Fenway and Sleepy Hollow and managing the horrible weather. Two incredible tests of championship golf. Good shots were rewarded, and bad ones were punished ruthlessly. Unfortunately, I spent too much time in the deep rough on Sunday
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Thanks again for everyone's kind words. I received so many messages of encouragement leading up to the event, and I deeply appreciate them.
There is a part of me that feels like I let a lot of people down, but that's my irrational brain speaking. I felt the love.
To be honest, it's sometimes really hard for me to put my game out there publically. But I shared the good of making this event, so it's only fair for me to share some of my struggles when I got there. I try to do it so I can help others, and you all can learn from what I go through in some small way. Thanks again!
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