US Open Practice Round

Written: May 5, 2011

            Today, my dad and I drove to West Palm Beach, FL early this morning.  After the two hour drive, we arrived at Atlantis Golf Club for the minor league golf tour event.  Minor league golf events are 1 day tournaments in the east coast of Florida.  You get to play against other pros by paying an entry fee.  The entry fees collected is then used as the prize money distributed in such a way that 50% of the field gets a paycheck, 25% gets their money back, and the champion wins about a $1000 bucks. 

            We got there to the course and it was pouring.  The guys who were supposed to tee off in the earlier groups hadn’t teed off yet.  It looked like if ever there was a chance to play that day, the players would have to wait it out.  Having not yet paid the entry fee, my dad and I just decided to head up to Jupiter to play a practice round for tomorrow’s U.S. Open qualifier instead of sitting around waiting and wondering whether we could get this one day tournament in.

            Admiral’s Cove, the site of tomorrow’s U.S. Open Local Qualifier is what I think, one of the prettiest courses in Florida.  Situated right by the water, the course wraps around the water ways and canals.  Right beside many tee boxes and greens are boat docks and mansions providing so many good views.  As for the course, its also one of the most challenging I’ve played.  6850 yards doesn’t seem too long of a course but since it’s a par 70, it plays to its length especially since I played a round right after it had down poured the entire morning.  The multi tiered greens are running at a quick 11 on the stimp meter.  Special attention must be given for those downhill down grain putts.  Like most Florida courses, keeping it straight off the tee is essential as the course is guarded by several hazards and out of bounds.

            My dad, who will be caddying for me tomorrow, rode the cart and so we had a nice time spending some father-son bonding.  With the pin placements for tomorrow already marked with paint, we got to practice all kinds of putts and chips around the green.  The practice was certainly worthwhile and was definitely time well spent in preparation for tomorrow’s qualifying.

            8:10am tee time tomorrow.  Gonna go out there, have fun, and accept whatever happens.  Checked into this Fairfield Marriott Inn in Jupiter. Nice bed, so easy to fall asleep. Goodnight guys!