HILTON HEAD The E Tour US National Finals

Last weekend saw me travel in style by plane up to Hilton Head for the National Finals. This was the culmination of my efforts on tour and I was determined to give of my best. I truly felt like a pro golfer as I travelled first class, was met at the airport and taken to the impressive Hilton Ocean Beach Resort in Palmetto Dunes. This is the life.

Success on tour equates to a room with a view

The Competition would be played over 2 days at the Shipyard Course on Saturday and the Fazio Course on Sunday. like many I found the Shipyard too long and set up very difficult, 92 was the leading score so my 102 put me in the middle of the field with little chance of success. The Fazio was a much more pleasant day with a shorter course and less penal set up and my 9 for a 200 total cemented a midfield position. In truth I could have gone higher but realising my top ten chances had gone I aimed in the back 9 for birdies to give hope of winning some cash in the skin but even that failed to materialise. However I did have a marvellous time, meet some great people, sell many books and it has definitely got me desperate to return.

Kyle, the cool dude your Social Golfer and Long Driving Champ Dave at Ship Wreck as we nicknamed Saturday c0urse, Kyle shot 108, Dave 99 but both faired worse than me at Fazio. Two great Guys who hit the ball prodigious distances.

It does not help when you have to take a penalty drop.

Dave, Keith and Ray my partners on Sunday. Dave shot 93, Keith 98 and Ray 96 to all finish alongside me in mid field. Daves brother won the event shooting 93, 82.

The majestic Par3 17th at the Fazio... 170 yards all carry.

Hilton Head is located just north of Savanagh in southern Carolina... hosting over 24 magnificent courses including the US Tours Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town, but it is more than golf... it really is southern us hospitality at its best and worth a visit without the golf. A final point my American colleaues all prefer Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach saying the Golf is better and the place significantly cheaper than its much vaunted sister resort in northern carolina.

I headed back to orlando in style however my clubs went walkabout around the states courtesy of us airways turning up after a visit to New York, Chicago and Birmingham. A great weekend and I need to return to truly do myself justice.

A bit of a rest now before my Round the world trip and of course my return to the Wrest Point Masters, I may play in a couple of Scrambles here in the states and will keep you all updated.