Hello everyone…Hope you all had a great Mother’s Day!
I wrote all of you last Fall describing the category I would be playing from this season on the PGA TOUR and the uncertainty of that group can be summed up with a show of my itinerary two weeks back in Wilmington, NC. As I embark on another Monday qualifier today, May 15th, for the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship (and sit at 9th alternate), I thought I’d share with you my unique week of eventually getting to compete at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Monday, May 1:
9:30AM: Tee off in Monday qualifier for Wells Fargo Championship at Landfall CC in Wilmington, NC
2:30PM: Card a 3 under par 69 and have a slight chance to qualify
3:30PM: Ultimately it took 68 so I missed qualifying by one stroke
4:00PM: I am currently 11th alternate based on my PGA TOUR past champion status so I board a Southwest flight for home (Chicago), albeit through Charlotte
Tuesday, May 2:
8:00AM: Dropped my oldest sons off at school and do things around town plus some yard work with my youngest son
1:00PM: Randomly check phone to see how I look for upcoming Byron Nelson Championship in two weeks and notice I am now 5th alternate for Wells Fargo…that’s a big move in a day!
4:00PM: Receive a call from PGA TOUR Headquarters telling me I am now 2nd alternate for Wells Fargo, but the two names in front of me are both out of the country so not sure they can get to Wilmington, NC soon enough
Wednesday, May 3:
8:30AM: The 1st alternate in front of me has officially withdrawn since he can’t get to Wilmington soon enough
9:00AM: As 1st alternate, Amy and I decide it makes sense to go just in case - so I am back on southwest.com and kayak.com to see my best options
10:00AM: Soon after parking my car at Chicago’s Midway Airport, I get a call from the TOUR staff that I am indeed in the tournament and have a noon tee time the next day.
2:00PM: Land in Raleigh and get rental car to drive 2 hours to Wilmington
5:00PM: Am walking Eagle Point Golf Club to see the new golf course as I am not allowed to play it while the pro-am is going on
Thursday, May 4:
5:00PM: Card a 2 under par 70 for my first time around the course and am super pleased
Friday, May 5:
4:30AM: Wake up to alarm for my 6:50AM tee time but also hear thunder and rain outside so know there will be a delay
9:50AM: Tee off with only 3 hour delay…not too bad, this course drains great
2:30PM: After playing in fierce winds, I card a 5 over 77 and am well outside the cut line…however, the course is playing so difficult I figure I might sneak in at 3 over
8:30PM: Play is suspended for the day and 3 over is definitely down the road
Saturday, May 6:
8:00AM:Shotgun start back at Landfall CC for a Wells Fargo pro-am to cover a few expenses for the week
5:00PM: RDU back to MDW
That’s the life of a non exempt PGA TOUR pro, playing out of the past champion’s category. But rest assured, I am grateful for at least being in a category on the PGA TOUR! Have a great week.
