In final round I had to shoot 68 to qualify. It was a windy day so it wasn't going to be easy. I was 1 under through 8 holes and was hitting it well enough and putting well enough to pull it off. I lipped out seven putts on the last 10 holes to end up with a 75. I put up my best effort but it just wasn't meant to be.

The second round cost me this chance. I should have been able to figure out my swing at some point during that round but nothing made sense. It was a devastating turn of events that sealed my fate. It was the worst ball-striking day of the year, and the only bad striking day of this event. I will have a lot of time to reflect what this means for the future.

I really felt prepared for this qualifying. The part of my game I worried about the most turned out to be the best. Putting has always been my downfall and for this tournament with the most pressure, it was the strongest part of my game. Unfortunately this course turned out to be a bad fit for my length and the the strongest field by far of the three qualifying sites. That being said, if I performed the way I should have it would not have mattered.

When you are my age, these opportunities are precious. When you fail to capitalize it can be tough to take and deal with. I always trust that God is in control so I will only try to learn from this and only try harder. I do not know at this time if this is the end or not. Only prayer and advise from my loved ones will determine future decisions. Whatever the consequences, I will never look back. I never have. I press on to follow the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Shot 71 today. Played much better and had a chance to go fairly low on a tougher day to play. After playing yesterday it only took me about 10 minutes of practice before I figured out what was going on with my swing. Usually I can tell early on during a round what is going on, and be able to correct it. Yesterday I was at a loss. It's frustrating to play as well as today and the first round and have a mystery round in the middle. The wind is supposed to blow fairly hard tomorrow so if I can muster up a 68 in the wind I should have a chance. Just disappointed to be in this position.

Looking at the two other regional sites there is no question this site has the most good players. That is out of my control. I just could not afford to have one bad round.

At a complete loss of words for what happened today. Not sure I will ever really know other than it was God's will. Just have to trust and keep moving forward. 78.

71 today in first round of Tour School. Solid round that certainly could have been better. 68 is leading, but several scores between 68 and 72. I am perfectly happy with start.

First round of tour school starts tomorrow. I have never been more prepared for a tournament. I am also putting the best I have all year. Having said that, the course is not a good fit for players that hit it my length. Big hitters have a HUGE advantage on this particular golf course. Every fairway sand trap is exactly placed the distance I hit my drives. A big hitter (about 30%) can fly the traps around the corner and cut off 50 yards from where I will be.

My putting has been what has held me back in big tournaments the last few years. I have worked on that aspect intensely the last two weeks and it is paying off. I played in a pro-am Friday and shot 69. Putting well was the difference.

There is no good way to describe Tour School. It is not something you want to go through on a regular basis because of the pure pressure. However, I feel blessed to be able to have this opportunity and embrace it this time around. Instead of felling that I have everything to lose, I feel that I have everything to gain. I know that it will take my best effort this week, so tomorrow will begin a new challenge.

My back and hamstring are not great this week, so any prayer for nice loose muscles would be appreciated. I feel calm so no worries there. I probably will not have extensive post during the tournament to help my mind stay quiet. Once I find out how to find the scores on the PGA Tour website I will try and post that tomorrow. Thanks for all the support and prayers and I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Played in the Rock Barn Senior Open and shot 75-71 to finish tied for sixth. My ball striking again was good, but poor decision making the first day and not capitalizing on putting the second day kept me from playing better. I have a good two day pro-am next week and three weeks until Tour School. A lot of hard work is in store for the next couple of weeks. Next post will be next Tuesday after the pro-am.

Shot 72 today. Played really well but just could not get the putts to drop. I looked hard at yesterdays round last night and really could not come up with a real good answer about what went wrong. I drove the ball great, irons were OK but not great, but the strongest part of my game failed. I usually have no problems out of sand traps but yesterday when I missed a green, (only five) it was in a trap. The sand traps were very inconsistent as far as how much sand was in them. That combined with reading Bermuda greens was my downfall this week. It's a small margin in this game between playing well and not so well. This was probably the toughest and biggest disappointment of the year. I felt extremely ready and did not expect this result.

I'll have to regroup and prepare again for Bermuda greens for Tour School the first of November. This was a big hit so building back confidence will be a key. Thanks for the support and sorry the results were not better.

78

There comes a time in your life that all the marbles are on the table. You have had chances, opportunities, to fulfill your dream but things happen along the way to keep it from coming to fruition. This past year has in a sense been a dream. At 53, being given a second chance to compete against the best and see what's left in the tank. But there is a difference from having the opportunity and ceasing the opportunity. Playing in the Senior PGA did fulfill one dream. It did not fulfill "The Dream". I did not play to the level that was inside. It was there alright, but there where interferences. Expectations, crowds, winds, cameras, fear of disappointing loved ones, etc.

The next few weeks are important. I have put in the work to find success. I am tired at night, but satisfied that I have left no stone unturned. I am confident, focused, and determined. I am ready to unleash what has been hidden within. I have no fear of failure. I know that the people that matter in my life will still love me no matter what happens this week or in two weeks at Tour School. They have proved that this year and throughout my life. For that I am forever grateful and blessed. But make no mistake, all the marbles are on the table.

I play one more practice round tomorrow and on Thursday at at 8:51 Pacific time, I peg it up at Toscana Country Club in Indian Wells, Ca. There are 264 players over two courses with a cut to the low 70 after two rounds. My first round is on the tougher of the two courses so 72 is a very good score on Toscana. The top 35 advance to the PGA Senior at Valhalla in Kentucky next year. The top 5 advance to the finals of Tour school and the champion gets to play in five Senior Tour tournaments of his choice.

Thanks for tuning in and I really appreciate all the support you have given me through this year. It has been a real blessing to me and has made pursuing a dream feel more than a useless effort. A special thanks to my wife for her support that without it would make all of this a waist of time. I pray that all of you have a safe and blessed day.

On Friday I shot 72 to miss the SAS qualifier. I bogeyed the first two holes, turned at 34, and lost a ball on #12. Definitely playing well enough but made too many mistakes. I have another qualifier this Friday for the Rock Barn Senior Tour tournament. This next month needs to be a good one.

Had probably the best ball-striking round of the year in really tough conditions. I had more lip out putts and close calls that cost me qualifying for the National PGA for the youngsters. I finished tied for 23rd. This round however will go a long way for building confidence. I stayed patient for three days and that continues to be progress for me. Tomorrow is the first qualifying for the SAS Senior Tour event. 42 players for 5 spots. I will probably not be able to post on Friday but will try late in the evening if time permits.

Putted horrible today. In 32nd place with one round to go. Need to shoot 69 or lower to finish top 10.

Shot 76 today. Scores are extremely high because of how severe the greens are and how tight the golf course is. Even though I am not happy with my score, I am not at all out of the tournament. I am extremely excited about how patient I have been lately and not getting upset when things go wrong. That will help me as I go through this stretch. I actually played fairly well, but made five small mistakes that I will have to tighten up.

Tomorrow I will play late so I may not post until after dinner. Thanks for tuning in and I hope all of you are well.

Carolinas PGA Section Championship begins tomorrow at Grandfather Mountain. 179 players. Top 13 will go to the National PGA Championship next year. That's the goal for this tournament. Had a good practice round today, so looking forward to tomorrow's round. Scores will be high because of how tough the course and greens are. Patience will be at a premium this week. Scorese will be posted at carolinas.pga.com

Shot 71 to win Yeamans Hall Senior Open by one. It was an exciting back 9 as I was two shots back after 11 holes, two shots up after 16, and tied going into the last hole. I birdied 18 to beat Walter Hall who played the last 13 years on the Senior Tour and won 9 million. It was a great experience and one I hope will jump start a good end of the year. I feel blessed to be able to play competitive golf and have opportunities like today.

Next up is the Carolinas PGA Section Championship at Grandfather Mountain. Its with the younger pups so I'll have to step it up a notch. It starts two weeks from today.

Shot 68 in the first round of the Yeamon's Hall Senior Open. That is tied for the lead with Walter Hall and one ahead of Robert Linville. I will be paired with these two during the final round tomorrow. These opportunities are what you really want when playing in tournaments. You want to learn from each of these so that next time you will be more comfortable and more productive. I have been in two such situations this year so hopefully tomorrow will go well.

We are at such a great facility this week and the scenery is spectacular. I always feel blessed to be able to have this opportunity and witness God's creations at the same time.

Going through a slow spell in schedule. Trying to do everything possible to take advantage of this time. There is a senior event a week and a half from now, and then we get to some important events. The Carolina's PGA Championship at Grandfather Mountain, qualifying for two PGA Senior Tour events, and then the National Senior PGA in California.

Shot 70 yesterday to finish tied for second in the Carolinas PGA Senior. More importantly that qualifies for the National PGA Senior Championship in La Quinta, CA beginning October 7th. The top 35 there play in the PGA Senior Championship next year.

This was a big relief because that was one of my big goals for the year. I really putted well and felt it was a good opportunity to win one. You always learn a lot when you have a chance to win. There is not too much coming up until the Carolinas PGA Section Championship the first of September. I have some good opportunities towards the end of this year so I really need to take advantage of these.

Shot 71 in the first round of the Carolinas Senior PGA Championship. That is tied for 5th going into the last round tomorrow. A good start helped this round and leaves me in decent shape for tomorrow's round. I will try and post tomorrow night when I return home.

Shot 74,72,76 to finish 29th in the SC Open yesterday. Overall, played fairly well but 4 double bogeys for the tourney and putting on the last day held me back. Ball striking was good enough to compete so not too far off. Course was incredible and scores were overall fairly high. Next event is the Carolinas Section Senior championship in Myrtle Beach next Tuesday/Wednesday. That is also qualifying for the National Senior PGA.