On to Kansas

Well, I took some time off for the first time this year.  I really took it easy while I was home, just doing family stuff and running some errands.  It was a nice break, as I'm not likely to get another before the end of the "season."

Today I made most of the drive to Garden City, Kansas.  I'm about three hours away, so I'll be able to get a practice round in tomorrow.  The tournament has the pro am format, two days playing with amateurs, the final day with pros (after the cut).  The BIG difference is that you don't play with the normal 3 amateurs in a foursome, but with 5 amateurs in a sixsome.  This will be new to me, and I expect the rounds to be very long.  Patience will pay off this week, that is one thing I'm sure of.  We'll see how it goes.

Luke

Back in the States...NEWS

I made it back from Winnipeg.  It was a long drive, but it's nice to be back in familiar territory.

I didn't play great last weekend, but it was a decent finish.  I'm so excited about how I've been getting the ball around the course, now I just need my putter to cooperate.  I told you if it's not one thing it's the other...

Me and my caddy Chris (eyesrubbed.blogspot.com) on the final day:

So I'm home with a few days off.  Might as well make it exciting, eh?!  I decided to propose to my girlfriend Nicki! She even said yes! Wow, pretty crazy/exciting.  She's been waiting a long time, and was quite excited and surprised.  Here we are at Mt. Rushmore on the way home:

So...Back to golf now.  On my way to Kansas next week.  Great results to follow.

Luke

Through Two at "The Player's Cup"

I've played solid golf so far in Winnipeg.  I have yet to get hot, but I'm staying out of trouble.  70-69 after two days.

I'm in a tie for 21st, a much better start than I've gotten off to lately.  Another good weekend and I'll be right there at the end.

I'd be there already if not for a few miscues on the par 5's today.  They are the real scoring holes at this course (Pine Ridge), and to play them at +1 for the day is unforgivable.  That won't happen again, though, so I'm expecting a low one.

Like I've said, I'm very comfortable on this course.  I'm really looking forward to the weekend.  Late wake up call on Saturday for once.  That should be nice :).

Luke

Players Cup Preview

I had a rough go of it last week in Edmonton.  The course really fit my game well, but I had trouble getting it going in the first round.  I was left with some ground to make up on day two, but things kind of snowballed on me and I fell quite short of the cut.

I didn't hit the ball as solidly as the week before, but I wasn't hitting really poor shots.  I wasn't able to take advantage of my good shots, and my short game really let me down.  I'm hoping to have that remedied before we tee it up this week.

I'm in Winnipeg now, two pro-ams out of the way.  I'm a bit worn down after a few long days in a row, so I'm planning on taking it easy until the tournament starts.  I should be fresh and ready to tear it up Thursday morning.

I really like the course, and I had some success here last year.  It fits me well, and I am comfortable with all of the shots we have to hit.  I'm very much looking forward to getting in contention this week!

Luke Swilor

Saskatchewan Open Recap

It was a big week for me.  I've been struggling all year.  Sometimes it's the driver, sometimes the irons, sometimes the short game, other times its putting.  Sometimes I don't know the reason, but my scores weren't very good.

Despite some bad stretches, I hung in there all week.  I finally hit on all cylinders and shot 63 today.  Got me up on the leaderboard, in the clubhouse, early.

So, 66-73-72-63--274 (-14) left me tied for 4th this week.  It does a lot.  I made a decent check (finally), I pretty much earned my Canadian Tour card for 09, I got some more world ranking points, and put myself in the position where a couple more good tournaments can get me into some big events. 

I'm pleased with the results of a tournament for the first time in a while.  I didn't win, but I was able to hang in and had a bit of a chance.  My game has been getting better, and it was VERY frustrating not seeing any results.  I can once again see the results of my work, and I can only set my sights higher.

Luke

Oh yeah, once again it's really weird being in Canada for the 4th of July.  I haven't even seen any fireworks stands!