PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, THE US MARINES AND REDEMPTION AT METRO WEST

The next week, I gave Matron, some paint, tiling grout and some new brushes and left her happy and content and hit the course with a vengeance. Initially, I played the Highlands Reserve, where I was partnered by a father and son duo from the UK in a very pleasant early morning round at one of south Orlando’s very good value courses, 30 bucks including a cart.

My good friend John Roberts was over with wife Nicky and son Leo and we played three very competitive rounds at Ridgewood, Providence and Mystic Dunes. I won the first 6 and 5, battered by him in the second 7 and 6 and lost a thriller 2 and 1 at the Dunes to give him the honours. John plays off less than me so without a start I was pleased with my performance but needs outweighing to the fact he was using my old clubs. He played a significant part in putting my game back, when he identified that the ball was well forward in my stance. Visit to Deer Creek a small executive course soon corrected this.

Whilst John was here I had arranged for us to play in a Charity Event organised by the Florida Chapter of the US marines and what a fantastic day we had. Before the shotgun start, we stood proud with our American cousins at the parading of colours and the singing of the national anthem. The Star Spangled Banner is a barnstorming tune prior to a sporting event, trust me. We played with two fine gentlemen, Fred and Don and what great company they were. My golf was not good, John was better, Fred started well and Don regularly chipped in with a useful shot, once again truth to be told, like Bay Hill, I was probably the weakest link.

We scored 65, seven off a place and never good enough for a place, but the event no doubt raised significant sums for injured and retired servicemen and both John and I had a day to remember, culminating for me with the receipt of a signed Fuzzy Zoellor Driver given to me by John who had won it in an Auction. Thanks BigMan! More importantly once again it was a pleasure to play and meet with such good guys as Fred and Don, hopefully we shall have opportunity to get together again – Fred has invited me to a Toys for Tots competition in his home town. A Toys for Tots double I won the Xmas one at Mystic Dunes, now that would be something to write about.

Young lonnie left us all trailing at Metro West - my partner in the last event, the two man scramble at Championsgate

The next day I was back on tour at Metro West, playing with Hud Hudson who had pushed me into third on my season debut at Duran, Lonnie Laoretti the big hitting youngster who pushed me all the way in the major at Southern Dunes and tour regular Dana Turgeon. In a disappointingly small field at a past tour course, which apart from the Greens that were turgid having been recently irrigated, Lonnie simply blew us all away on the front nine, culminating in a splendid drive at the appropriately called Daly challenge a 280 yard carry to the green which he simply nailed. Hud surprised us all and followed suit, ruining it by then hitting his approach into the water. Dana and I chickened out.

Preparing to take the John Daly challenge over the 9th at metro

At the turn the heavens opened and play was stopped as a mega thunderstorm came in. I find it amusing that although we all know lightning is the killer, most people find the actual bolt a thing of beauty and exhilarating then jump with fear at the following clap of thunder. This was some storm but it allowed me to assess my position in the competition, I was four adrift of Lonnie but only one behind joint second place held by James Rearden and Todd Morgan.

Bad weather stops play and play-time starts!

After the break with the course extremely wet, I played a very competitive back nine, never missed a fairway and putted a little better. At the close I was 6 adrift of worthy and deserved winner Lonnie but 4 clear in second place for more significant points and a $100 fee taking my winnings to over $500 for the trip. I enjoyed Metro despite missing four putts of less than 5 feet which could have put me much closer to Lonnie. More significant is the extremely strong likelihood I may have now accrued enough points to be chosen to play in the national finals in October. If I can get out of blooming jury service… Watch this space!

I have now finished my rankings events, I may return for the second and final major in August, work permitting. But after 5 events my record reads: a victory in the major, two seconds an a third in tour events, just one unplaced. I stand third in the rankings with one of the better scoring averages. It could hardly have gone much better, I hope I can get back for the Nationals.

I have one event left on tour, the Tom Mirus Pairs scramble when there are no ranking points at stake. I am paired with Lonnie and it is at my local course at Championsgate, all set for a big finish. Before then I am once again playing in the Florida Open for Disabled Golfers at the splendid Kissimmee Bay Country Club. I played in this last year and it as one of the highlights of my golf travels. I played with Mike who had one arm and Renee one leg, yet their love for the game as well as ability to play it well was unbelievable. I look forward to meeting them and fellow golfers who range from amputees and paraplegics, to heart and stroke attack victims who play the game as the elders intended, I am proud to be part of this event.

On Saturday 18th April, I made my 2009 debut on the Edwin Watts Amateur in Florida, at one of the newest Floridian courses - Duran Golf Club out on the Space Coast, South of Cocoa Beach. The Tour is a mixed ability event split into different flights and at the moment in football terms I am in the old 4th Division, not sure in the new set up what number this now is, but you can say with conviction I am a Shrewsbury or Darlington at the moment on this tour. But, like my home town football club Wigan Athletic, I have aspirations and total belief that over the next few years I will reach the top flight.

FAILURE does not concern me, not reaching my potential will!

As I had not played for several months following another superb winter back home, I visited my local club here in Orlando on the Thursday before the event - the magnificent Championsgate National Course. Playing with three of our American cousins, I gave them one hell of a beating for Nick and the Boys. Indeed I was at one stage set to break 80 but finished 86 for Gross 84 Net 67… I played as well as I had done for some while, collected 40 bucks and was in fine mood for Saturday.

The Par 3 15th at Championsgate National over a swamp at 170 yards to an island green, from which the approach has to avoid three massive trees protecting the front. I hit a 4 iron left edge and two putt for a 3 which anyone would take at this hole.

The Duran Course is a new highly-rated addition to the Floridian Golf Experience, the clubhouse oozes opulence and class. The course has very much a links feel except it has the usual plethora of Floridian ponds and lakes to supplement the difficulty the constant wind causes as well.

I was paired with father and son, Nat and Lathan Hudson… Son Nat went on to win the flight with (in the conditions) a very impressive 90. Lathan for the music buffs is a Nashville songwriter and Grammy nominated too, who has had songs covered by Tammy Wynette and Elvis Costello to name but two, so I can say the round was fruitful for anecdotes and conversations in respect of his full and bountiful career. In truth my 3rd Place Gross 95 net 78 plus 6 and 3rd place in my flight, would have earned a top 5 place in the next flight up which did please me. I really lost it in the first two holes with a 7 7 start...

We started at the tenth and I drove left into a wasteland like the sahara, followed a trememdous 3 off the tee to the centre of the fairway, approach into the lake , a pitch to 6 inches from the drop zone for a tap in 7. Crap then class in alternating shots that was to be a constant theme on the day, no consistency... On the 11th my 2nd I had my first tribulations in the bunkers. The sand is so much different from the UK and I simply exploded all my shots miles past the flag all day, I had a touch like a baby elephant.

After that I drove immaculately hitting 10 out of 12 fairways and averaged 248 yards, however my iron play was not up to scratch and I wasted numerous opportunities. I putted well and really could have been up with Nat had I started well and course managed a touch better. We were hampered all day by slow play which affected old Lathan more than me and Nat... it really is the bane of golf these days.

Still I had a great day and would rate the course an Eagle, it was an enjoyable round, pleasurable if not exhilarating, and I would certainly return to play socially. I now begin my build up to the next event on 2nd May at Stoneybrook West then the highlight of my trip the Charity Event at Arnie Palmers Bay Hill on 4th May.

Lathan and Nat Hudson

Drive at the Tenth our first, my ball's in all that crap!

The 18th a stereotypical last in Florida - all water left, bite off as much as you can chew. I chicken out and cut very little off. 5 wood, wedge and two putts for a boring par 5.

The par 3 165 yard 12th. I hit a 5 iron left chip on and hole a 30 footer for a par to get my round back on an even keel. Wheels soon come off again though!