1 Shot

Two hours ago I arrived home from sunny San Diego, California. I spent the last 4 days working toward passing my Playing Ability Test that is required to begin the PGA program. I was blessed to have my parents come with me and it turned into a little family vacation for 3 or the days we were there. On Sunday, I played my practice round at Encinitas Ranch Golf Club in Encinitas, California, about 30 miles north of San Diego. The elevation difference between Bozeman and California was a little tough to get used to as well as the difference in the grass and the way that the grass grabbed the club.

 Entering into Monday I felt confident that I would be able to play well and come back home with my PAT passed. The next morning I arrived at the course at 6:00 am to begin warming up (which was in the dark), and teed off at 7:00. When that shotgun sounded, 36 holes of nonstop golf ensued. As the day came to an end and we made our way towards the final hole, I was one stroke under the qualifying mark. A par on the final hole would mean that I passed my PAT and not have to take it again. As I walked up to the tee on the Par 3, 12th hole, one thought was in my mind; put a good swing on it and par the hole. As I watched my ball fly toward the green, I could see that it was going to be a little left of the green. When I approached my second shot, a soft chip shot was all I needed to get into position to par the hole. Unfortunately my worst fear happened. I bladed my chip over the other side of the green and needed to get up and down to get a bogey and still pass the test. As I watched my bogey putt fly by the hole, I could feel my chances slipping away from me. A 5 foot par putt stood between passing and failing. My heart sank when the ball lipped out and I ended up taking a double bogey of the final hole to miss the passing score by 1 shot.

In all my years of golf, I never felt this upset before. I knew that I had a passing score in my hands and I let it slip away. Now I have to try to pass again at another point down the road and I can assure you, I won't let that one slip by. All in all, it was a great trip with my parents. Do I wish the outcome would have been different? Of course. But the lessons I learned throughout my round will surely help me be successful the next time around.