Rules Done

All finished with the USGA/PGA Rules Workshop. It was definitely a great class, taught by two very sharp instructors. The class consisted of a few people who knew the rules very well, and quite a few others who knew the basics, but wanted to know the rules better.

I knew the rules pretty well coming in. I've always been the guy in the group who had to help others with the rules. You'd be surprised at the rules knowledge of most pros who play golf for a living. The rules are there to help you in most cases, but most of the players have just a basic knowledge of the rules. There a lot of rules "myths" in golf, and most of the guys I've played with have heard them and taken them to heart.

So, I was glad to take part in a workshop. I can't say I learned a ton, but just hearing a little more on the theory of some of the rules cleared a lot of fog from my mind. Unfortunately, with a class of 60-70, it is hard to really get in depth in just three days. But, I'm positive the class as a whole came out of the class knowing a lot more than they went in with. A LOT. Even feeling very confident of the rules going in, I picked up some things. So I can very sincerely recommend attending a USGA/PGA workshop to anyone with even the slightest interest in the rules or game of golf.

I was a bit disappointed with my score on the exam, but it was still pretty good. I believe you have to get a score of 92 to be an official at a USGA championship, and I got a 95/100 (they took our exams before going over it, so I am basing that number on the notes I took of the answers). There were about 10 questions that I marked to go over again before the end of the test. Of those ten, I only missed one. That means I missed 4 that I thought were right all the way, leading me to believe I read the questions/answers too quickly before picking the right one.

Anyhow, it was a good week in Seattle. I got to see some friends, and made sure I knew what I was doing on the course.

Still figuring things out for the rest of the year...

Luke

Rules

Starting the USGA Rules Workshop tomorrow. Should be interesting. I feel pretty good about my knowledge of the rules, but I'm sure I'll learn something this week.

I love the Northwest. It's beautiful. There was "frezzing fog" the entire drive up here. Bit of a trip.

Luke

A Little Golf

I played in a golf tournament this weekend. The Coral Canyon Open has always been a great way to start the year. This years tournament, while only having 35 pros, had a great field too. All of the top pros from Utah were playing, including a couple former and current tour pros.

I honestly wasn't expecting much. I hadn't hit a shot since the Nevada Open a month ago. The weather in Salt Lake has been nothing but cold and snow. So I just tried to grind away with whatever I had.

I played actually pretty good. I was a bit rusty, but I was able to stay away from any big mistakes. My putter and short game were surprisingly solid. I was three back going into the second day, and felt like I had a chance.

I got off to a good start, made some birdies coming in, and ended up shooting 70-67 to tie for second. Not a bad start to the year. It felt good to grind the rounds out to some respectable scores.

Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do this year...

Luke

GO UTES!

Awesome and surreal. The Utes DOMINATED Alabama tonight. 

I've been a Utah fan my whole life.  My dad went there, and even as a little kid I really got into Utah football and Basketball.  We went to a lot of games, watched a lot of games.  We were die-hard fans.  The basketball team under Rick Majerus was always good, but when they had Andre Miller and Keith Van Horn, they finally went deep into the NCAA tournament.  That was surreal. 

The football team has had some good seasons, but nothing like the last 5 years.  I can tell you first hand the change the team went under when Urban Meyer came in.  I saw the team in the weight room every other day, and there was an immediate change in discipline the first month Meyer was hired.  Ever since, the Utes have been a player on a national stage.  The first "BCS Buster," two BCS wins in four years, and a legitimate argument for the championship this year.  I know they can't get it, but how can you argue against a team that went 13-0, beating ranked teams all year long and beating the team (in the SUGAR BOWL!) that was #1 until their conference championship game. 

The Utes turned some heads tonight.  Barry Switzer pulled an about face, and no sports fan/critic/commentator will argue there HAS to be a better way to decide the NCAA Football champion.  Hopefully the Utes will play a part in reforming an incomprehensible system.

I'm pumped.  It was a blast watching the game.

Tournament next week.  Feels weird, as I haven't played in a month. 

Luke