On February 11 the Columbus State golf team started its spring season in the Matlock Collegiate Classic in Lakeland, Florida. Feeling good about my game after winning our team qualifying with a final round 66, I entered the tournament with high aspirations. In windy conditions I shot 71,71,74 to finish in 11th position. The team finished T-4, which was respectable for the field, which boasted the Number 1, Number 2 and Number 4 team in the USA, and helped boost us up the national rankings.
The following Friday we headed to Augusta National Golf Club to play the annual round there. For me, it was the first time playing the Masters golf course. It was an unreal experience. The thing that surprised me most was the severity of the undulations of the greens! Afterwards we got to eat lunch in the clubhouse and visit the the Champion's locker room and the Crow's nest. I would love to share pictures of this amazing experience but we have been strongly advised not to publish any media of the course.
We spent one night after Augusta at CSU before heading to Kiawah Island to play the Newberry Invitational on the prestigious Ocean Course (What a week- Augusta National and then Kiawah Island). In nice scoring conditions on the first day I shot 75,70 to be T-10. On the second day we had absolutely horrendous weather, the worst I have ever experienced in competitive golf. Full shots were landing at 90 degrees to the target because of the wind and balls were oscillating on the greens. Struggling to hold my club at the end of the round because of the cold, I stumbled in with a very disappointing 85, pushing me back to 32nd position. Despite the last round ruining another potentially good result, I see my start to the spring season as solid. I played 5 out of 6 good rounds on tough courses and feel good about my game.
We continue our season at the Southeastern Collegiate at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club on 10-12 March.
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