Catchin' Up

I've got some travel ahead of me, so I thought I'd catch up. I continued my struggle in the Idaho Open. I had the new irons (which I like very much), and they go a lot further than my old set. Caused a bit of trouble, and I never got anything going. Frustrating to miss the money so close to home.

I played today in Wichita, KS, for a Nationwide qualifier. I played decent. I never got hot, and a couple of bad bogies cost me. 70 wasn't good enough, so I'm flying back home...then I'm coming back. That's right, I found out about a good tournament in SW Kansas, so I thought I'd play. The airlines weren't too accommodating, nor were the rental car agencies, so it is far too much cheaper to fly home and drive back. It seems like a great tournament, though, so I'm looking forward to it. It'll be nice to have my car anyways.

After that, a few days off, then back to Canada for the tournament in Montreal. It is supposed to be the biggest tournament of the year, so I am really looking forward to that, too.

Traveling,

Luke Swilor

Idaho Round 2

Drove the ball better today, but the results weren't much different. -1 today puts me at even, way back.

I've shot the worst possible score I could shoot each of the last two days. That isn't something that happens a lot this time of year, so it's been frustrating. The game feels good, though. I'm going to get the most out of my round tomorrow.

Off to bed.

Luke

Idaho Open Round 1...

...Was very frustrating. I didn't play great, but I surely didn't play as bad as my score showed. I had the lip-outs, bad. Every now and then these rounds creep up, but it is always tough. I shot +1 today, so I am obviously a ways back. The driver was my one weak point, and every time I hit it off line I seemed to end up under a tree. One of those days. I feel unusually good though, and I'm looking forward to the next couple rounds. I feel like I'm ready to go really low.

The new irons felt really good. I hit them almost a club longer, so it is a bit of an adjustment, but I'm looking forward to a little extra length. I've always been about a half club shorter than most guys with my irons (while being at or above average with the woods), so it will be nice to catch up.

Look out tomorrow.

Luke

New Gear

I took most of this week off. It was a nice little break, something I don't get too often. I came out of it with some new irons and a new bag, and I'm roaring to get back at it. I drove up to Idaho this afternoon, and the Idaho Open starts Wednesday at Twin Falls Municipal. It's a short course, with only 2 par 5's and 6 par 3's. I've played a couple tournaments here in the past, and had some success. The greens are the courses only line of defense, and you can get some SLICK putts. Looking forward to it.

New irons. Untested, but they look really nice:

Luke

Winnipeg Pics

First night in town, my friend Chris took my picture down at "The Forks." Red River in the background:

The Goldeyes game:

The Blue Bombers from the suite:

Me back in The States, about 17 hours into my drive. I'm almost home here:

Luke

Back Home

It took awhile, but I made it home. It feels great, especially after a strong finish to the "Western Canada Swing." I've been waiting for my game to get back from hibernation, and it seems to be there. I put myself near the leaders two weeks in a row, and my swing finally held up for 4 rounds last week. That hasn't happened in 4 consecutive rounds this year, let alone all in one tournament, so hopefully that means my ball-striking is back. Like I've been saying, I'm putting better than I ever have in my life, and I think that might make a strong combo in the coming weeks.

I had a great time in Canada. The events were all first class, the courses were good/great, and the people couldn't have been more welcoming. In my caddies alone, I met some great new friends. Gotta say thanks to Yvan, Lance, Ryan, Dave, and Chris. They did a great job, and we will all keep in touch. Good deal.

So, I've got a place to play next year, I'm on the World Ranking (barely, but I'm up there), and I think only more good things are to come.

Few days off now, Idaho Open next week.

Luke Swilor

Wow

My word it is hot this side of the border. I've been spoiled.

Back in the USA

I'm back on US soil after 5 weeks in Canada. It feels good, but I had a great time in Canada.

I can't get the internet to work, and I don't feel like dealing with my phones keyboard, so I'll keep it short. I played good again today, ended up tied for 6th. I made enough today to keep my tour card for next year, and gained some world ranking points. Not bad, eh?

Long drive ahead.

Luke Swilor

Ending up the 1st Canada Swing

I got off to a very good start today. I basically hit every shot how I wanted to through 6 holes, and had it to two under. The next 6 holes were a struggle, but I got it back in gear for the last 6. Up and down, but I hung in, and it ended up being a solid round.

The only low point was the 11th hole, and it was more of a fluke than anything. I hit an average drive into the fairway. My second shot I pulled a bit, but I thought it was still fairly good. It came up well short, into a bunker. I hit the bunker shot how I wanted, but I completely misjudged it, and it rolled out about 15 feet right of the hole. My putt broke more than I thought, leaving me 3 1/2 feet. That putt broke the completely opposite direction, so I made a quick double. Birdied the next hole to stay alive, but I lost a lot of momentum.

So it could have been much better today, probably could have been worse. Pretty solid overall, so I'm still in pretty good shape. Another good round will give me a good finish.

I just got back from my 3rd sporting event of the last three nights. For me, it doesn't get any better than that. A world class golf tournament, and a lot of baseball and football. As good as it gets.

Back in the States tomorrow night. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Luke Swilor

Winnipeg Rounds 1 & 2

I've played two solid rounds of golf so far this week, accentuated by some very good putting. The rest of my short game has been uncharacteristically week, or I would be in very good position. As it is, 69-70 has me in a tie for 9th.

I've been waiting for a course like this, where par is a very good score. Anything under par moves you up the board, and that fits my game more that a birdie barrage.

I had a really solid round going today, before I three putted the 8th (my 17th) hole. I haven't had a three putt in some time, so it was pretty frustrating to do it when I had a good round going. I then had to make a great up and down on what I think is the hardest par three I've ever played. I pulled a 3 wood into a bush, then made a great save after taking an unplayable.

The weather was the main factor today, but I didn't let it get to me. That makes the bogey-bogey finish that much harder to take. The last two hole were played in relative calm winds, while the rest of the round was filled with heavy winds with times of heavy rain. I hit driver, driver into the par 4 second, and was still 15-20 yards short of the green.

This week off the course has been quite fun. I went to the minor league baseball game last night, was in a suite at the CFL football game tonight, and I've got tickets to a suite for the minor league game tomorrow. Me and my caddy Chris have been making the most of our week in Winnipeg. A couple more good rounds will make it that much better.

Almost home.

Luke Swilor

Winnipeg

The drive from Edmonton wasn't as bad as I was told. I had the XM going, and it went by fairly quickly. I guess I'm used to it.

I didn't know it, but the course we're playing was designed by Donald Ross (think Pinehurst #2). It is a great layout, with SEVERE greens. It isn't all that long, but the greens will be the real test this week. I don't think I've ever even played a Donald Ross course, so I am pumped to play this week.

My caddy this week is my bud Chris from the eyesrubbed blog. We've had some email correspondence, and when he saw I was going to be in town this week, he offered to pack this week. He showed me around downtown last night, and we're ready to have a great week. My hotel this week is also right downtown, which is nice because it lets me see a little bit more of the city. The minor league park is only a couple blocks away, and I will be a fixture there the next couple of nights.

I haven't hit any balls on the range this week. I came out yesterday, striped it all the way around, and figured I've been way too mechanical the last couple weeks. With a little less of that, I think I might go out and let my swing just happen. Free everything up a bit. We'll see, but it feels right this week.

This week also wraps up the first five events in Canada, and I'm looking forward to getting back closer to home for a few weeks. My game has been mediocre, and though I've had a great time in the "Great White North," I'm ready to get back home for a bit. I'll will be playing a lot of golf, but it should still be a nice break from what has been a lot of travel.

More later,

Luke

No title? Doesn't seem to work, typical today.

I was so excited to play this weekend. For some reason my swing decided to revert to Luke's 2007 dog swing. Ball striking has always been my strong point, while my putting has lagged behind. Completely opposite this year. I'm putting to a bucket (at least compared to the past), and I have no idea where the ball is going.

So I got off to a terrible start today, +4 after 6. There were no nerves today. Absolutely no excuse. I just couldn't keep my ball under control. I hit it fairly good the last 12 holes, but it was too late. +2 73 to finish 42nd.

I've got some things to work on in my swing. I'm not sure exactly what right now, but it's not where it should be. My short game is getting so much better, I cannot wait until I get back to "normal" with the full shots.

Made 5 hours of the 15 hour drive to Winnipeg tonight. Should be there tomorrow, looking forward to a new week.

Luke

The Yanks

I started pulling my irons, which led to a very long day. I couldn't get it close to the hole, and I was left scrambling for pars. +1 72 dropped me back quite a bit.

As bad as I hit it, I still had a great time. It was definitely a grind, but there is nothing better than playing in front of a pretty sizable gallery. It makes you want to work that much harder. On both 9 and 18, where the gallery was at its largest, I holed long putts for birdie. The round was a struggle, but I pulled some good feelings from those two putts. The one on 18 was 40-50 feet, and I knew it was in from halfway. Got a pretty good roar out of it, too. So that left me in a decent state of mind, considering the rest of the round.

I hit the range after the round, and I think I should have the long game under control for tomorrow. I'm further back than I should be, but a good round will still move me up quite a bit. A great round and, well, you never know.

Good round tomorrow, than I'll knock off a piece of the 15 hour drive to Winnipeg.

Luke Swilor

Playing Late

For the first time on the Canadian Tour, I'll be going late on the weekend. It's been way too long since I've been off the cut bubble, let alone near the lead. The game feels easier this way, I'll tell you that. 67-66 leaves me T5, 2 back of the lead. Hopefully I'll go into more depth tomorrow.

I'm really not going late because of a wedding at the club, so I'm ready for bed. Feeling good about the weekend.

Luke

Telus Edmonton Open Round 1

I played pretty solid today. I made a few birdies, and stayed out of trouble (for the most part). I continued my sick pattern of making a 6 at least once a round. Other than that hole, the round was pretty stress free. -4 67 to end the day T11 or T12. Better.

I've gotta run. Another good one tomorrow.

Luke

Golf Milestones #1

My first milestone had to be my first par. I don't remember how old I was, but I remember the hole and the circumstances. It was number 12 at Mountain View GC. I was out practicing with my dad, he would hit a bunch of shots, I would play the hole. It was getting dark, so 12 was our last hole. I hit some sort of wood on the 130 yard hole, right of the green, with a bunker between me and the hole. I loved par three's, they were my only real chance to make par. But it seemed I had missed another opportunity. That is until I chipped it up there about 5 feet. I actually had a chance! I don't remember the putt, but I know I made it, and I remember how excited me and my dad were. I remember him telling my mom all about it when we got home. Pretty fun, eh?

My first birdie was a little different. I was maybe a year older, playing in a jr. tournament on a par three course. My round was about average, with nothing spectacular happening. I rarely hit greens those days, but on my last hole I knocked it on with a three wood. We had walking scorers in these events, and mine was a teenaged brother of one of the kids in the tournament (later, to my amazement, a teammate during my freshman year on the high school team, a milestone in its own right). I had about a 50 foot putt, really no chance. I asked my scorer what he would give me if I made the putt (he'd been offering gifts all day). This time, he said "50 packs of Skittles." We laughed, I said OK, and I made it. He was in shock. I knew I'd never get those skittles, but I had a birdie under my belt. Good enough. I was still a bit sore about not getting paid, so I brought this up when I got on his team in high school. Of course he "couldn't remember," and I was just a nerdy middle schooler. Oh well.

My first eagle also had my dad around. We were playing a pro am in Price, Utah (where I was born, and my dad was the head pro before he started just playing). I was just starting to get a little better, and my dad was bringing me along to play every now and then. There are some short, quirky holes at Carbon CC, so I saw my opportunity. I hit driver, three-wood right at the green of par 5, maybe 480 yards. Two big ones for me back then. I got up the the elevated green, and there was my ball about 15 feet away, just in the fringe. I walked up and sunk the putt. I think I still have that ball somewhere.

I can remember hitting balls of the cliff in Price when I was just a toddler, but I didn't play golf all that often when I was little. I would hang out on the putting greens, but mostly I was either watching my dad play or playing baseball. I still hit some of these goals fairly young, but not close to as young as most of the "players" these days. They stick out just the same, and I can remember quite a few more "milestones." Bet you can too.

So this might be the first of a new theme. Next up: breaking 50.

Good times.

Got a good one in me tomorrow. I go at 8:30 Check out the action at cantour.com.

Luke Swilor

No Fireworks

Tomorrow will mark my first time away from the States during the 4th of July. Pretty weird. I haven't even been around to see any firework stands go up. Makes you a little homesick.

We had a marathon pro-am today, nearly 6 hours. I always have fun with my pro-am teams, but finishing near 9 pm is pushing it. Well, we had fun, so that's good. Dinner was solid as well. I hacked it around to shoot 70, not all that bad for how I played.

The course is an old style course (which I love) leftover from the 19th century (that, folks, is the 1800's). There are a lot of birdies out there, but hitting it in the fairway should play a big part. It's just too hard controlling iron shots into small greens from the rough.

For some reason, I'm just not feeling comfortable over my long shots. My putting is better than it has ever been, but my timing just isn't there with full shots. I'm not hitting anything solid, and that is very strange. Normally this stuff happens when you've been out of action for a bit, but I've been going full-steam for months. I'm planning on a quite extensive practice session tomorrow, so hopefully that will get me closer. It feels so close, and I'm very much looking forward to when it clicks.

Happy 4th of July everyone. I'll miss it.

Luke Swilor

Couple Pics

Here's a couple pictures from what might be the most scenic 10 hour drive I've been on. Vancouver to Calgary. I was in a hurry, so I didn't get many.