Dating myself here a bit, but, before there was the Drive, Chip and Putt as we see it today at the @themasters there was Drive, Pitch and Putt…from a few local eliminations to regionals to a state championship…I competed in them all and made it to the State Champs…I was the Colorado State Champ Girls 11-12 Division 🥇 and repeat Champ the following year in the 13-14 Girls Division 🥇.
Memorable days for me! The State Championship was held at the PGA Tour event The International @ccatcastlepines. My mom traveled with me & waited with me throughout the day until competition started and it was my turn and tried to keep me laughing and loose…I would just look at her like, 🙄 be serious mom, I’m trying to focus! 🤣😂 I’m slightly type A to say the least and I’m sure I could have taken a few more deep breaths at the time😆, but didn’t know how to back then…just knew how to focus and work hard and be “mentally tough” as my dad would say! ☺️
My first shot, a 50 yd pitch shot to a circle on a green around a pin. ⛳️Gallery, cameras and a 12 year old kid who hadn’t been on a bigger stage yet…I was shaking so bad I almost puked 🤮 but remember looking at the target and trying to visualize the ball in flight …It felt good when it took off and when I looked up I saw it in flight and thought, it’s a good one…then it hit the flagstick!!!!!! It came down a few inches from the cup and I felt a warm smile come to heart ❤️ and a small one to my lips …I heard the crowd cheer and I finally took a breath and I breathed a sigh of relief! 😄😆 From there, the fun and excitement of competing and hearing the crowds set in and I just let things happen. Once all the age groups where completed I was awarded a trophy in front of everyone from former Tour Pro, Andy Bean. 🏆
It’s awesome to see how the game has grown and to see all these amazing kids out there giving it their all 💯🙌🏼!
I will forever remember the hours in my bare feet👣 practicing my putting on the green behind the house with my dog Prince sitting by my side and picking my own golf balls I hit at the swing-set poles my dad had taken apart and then set up for us kids in the field across the street to practice hitting shots at (we had to push mow the field because the weeds and stickers were taller then me!) Everyday trying to hit that ball out there past the 225 yd pole and showing my dad when he pulled in from work how far I could hit it…Tons of hours of practice that taught me more in my life than I could have ever known at the time. These kids too will have a lifetime of memories from this game and we celebrate with them at such a special event today! Congrats to all of them for their hard work, tears and disappointments, laughter and accomplishments and their pursuit to do what is in their hearts! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
An amazing game that brings people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds together to enjoy a few hours for a walk in a breathtaking park chasing a little white ball. It brings smiles and beautiful memories to every walk of life and I am forever grateful for the time and energy my parents gave to me to get me started and drive me around from place to place for tournaments and practice and support me throughout. Thanks to my brothers for a healthy bit of competition everyday and sibling rivalries that taught us how to compete, lose, win, get knocked-down, get up and work hard for things we wanted to accomplish…you pushed me and I thank you for that. Special thank you to my dad who spent countless hours teaching me how to golf and to God for giving me such an amazing family and a lifetime of love and opportunities. ☺️ Thank you Daddy! Your lessons of love, life and golf are in my heart everyday and Masters week will forever be a special week for our family because of you and your love for the game and this tournament. Will never forget Masters Sundays in the living room cheering on our favorites with you!
Pictured: my first driver! It was made of wood and painted red! And good memories with my family!
