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.