MC Nathan P Uebergang QLD (+7) 72 77 = 149

Results

T 18 Nathan P Uebergang QLD (+1) 72

T 8 Nathan P Uebergang QLD (-5) 69 72 = 141

Results

They say the QLD Sunshine circuit is a great pathway for aspiring professionals to hone their game. The likes of Greg Norman, Peter Senior, Wayne Grady, Rod Pampling and John Senden all started out their careers and cut their teeth on this tour. So what vital skills did these great professionals develop on this circuit?

Idealy a player who strives to play on the biggest tours and championship layouts will get great benefit on actually playing on championship layouts whenever possible and practicing in that environment. But sometimes going to the other extreme can be beneficial as well.

I believe one of the main reasons behind players development on the QLD Sunshine Circuit is the vast aray of golf courses thown at them and the amazing variety of ‘challenging’ lies these players face. No longer does smoking a drive down the centre of the fairway mean you actually end up on ‘fairway’. From the lobbed pitch to the nip off the sandy bare batch, your imagination and patience are tested to the nth degree as the tour of constant bad breaks never ceases to amaze. But, as the best players know, that’s just the nature of this great game and it has to be dealt with if you want to achieve your best result. Hey, the objective still remains the same: get the ball in the hole with as few shots as possible, somehow!

Funnily enough, hidden amongst all these trials and tribulations is one of the great thrills of the game:
…you just need the right attitude to see it.

As Terry Price was once quoted, “You don’t learn to become a good player by playing off good lies.”

Master that… then you can think of moving on to greener pastures.

T 20 Nathan P Uebergang QLD (+2) 78 67 73 = 218

Mt Isa was like a “welcome to the Troppo Tour”. It sure is different, but at the same time quirkely enjoyable.

Mt Isa golf club is located in the harshest climate Australia has to offer. There’s no reason for grass to want to grow there. But due to some locals hard work and tireless passion for the game, they have made the most of the conditions and developed a golf course to enjoy the game on. They have grown the grass, mown the greens and cut the pins.

Their desire to enjoy the game of golf for what it is, is a timely reminder of what the game is all about.

T 25 Nathan P Uebergang QLD (+3) 71 76 = 147

Considering this is Glenden’s first pro-am, they threw on a fantastic event. It has been one of the most well run and hospitable pro-ams I’ve played in. A credit to them.

Personally, I could throw a ball around the course better than I’ve hit it at Glenden. Hey, I might give that a go at Mt Isa in a few days 😉 .

2008 Desert Dual page
(just click on live scoring, then “group 3 rounds 1-4”)

Man, talk about some good fun. These Long Drive events go alright 🙂 I was able to go head to head with the best in the world, see how they go about their business and what speeds they produce.

In the end I got knocked out in the 4th round. I moved through the first round fine, no probs. But then I cocked up. Straight after the round I went into the trailer and decided to have a chat with the tournament organizers. When I left and went to the range I found out I had missed my next round… !@#$. So they put me down as OB that round. It just put me straight on the back foot, based on the numbers that go through each round. I just assumed by winning through to the next round I’d get a little break. But the winners actually hit before the losers. I didn’t know the format, made a rookie error and I payed the price.

So I was into round 4 where there were 2 players advancing and I just didn’t hit it far enough. Game over. Two losses and you’re out.

Some of the guys sure could produce some clubhead speed. Jamie Sadlowski… that guy is very impressive. A few other guys produce similar ball speeds, but he has the consistency to do it round after round.

Those boys don’t hold back one bit. All day there was a little breeze off the left. All the numbers on that sheet were with no wind assistance at all. Sadlowski hit a ball in the semi-final like I’ve never seen. Man, we’re talking 400yards in raw carry.

Guys, check this out:

http://www.longdrivers.com/se_details.php?id=23

It’s all happening in Mesquite! The best in the States has gathered so it’s time to spank a few 🙂

But not playing 🙂 just watching. I decided to drive down to San Diego and experience the US Open atmosphere. A few days ago I flew into Las Vegas as I have the opportunity to compete at a long drive event being held in Mesquite (more on that later). I was able to get tickets to go out on Tuesday and Wednesday to watch the best players in the world get ready for this huge event.

This is the first major championship I’ve been ever to. I would rather be playing, but hey, watching is probably the next best thing. There’s still a lot I can learn from just being here. My first observation was towards how open the course was. Open visually that is. There is miles of rough everywhere to catch anything slightly off line.

But what stands out the most is the importance of short game. Short game is the key. If you don’t have a super short game you do not have a chance of winning the US Open. The greens are really firm too. Wedge shots coming in take a massive leap, then spin. If you have to come into the green from the rough… good luck to ya.

The course has a nice amount of roll to the terrain and the greens are nicely shaped and contoured. The tiers in the greens would make it good fun to play. Overall Torrey Pines is one brutal golf course set up tough and VERY long.

Johan Edfors flash new bag:

Can Trevor Immelman go back to back in the Majors? He’s working at it:

These were the crowds during the practice round:

The American’s sure love their golf… and their merchandise:

T 14 Nathan P Uebergang QLD (+1) 71

Results

Yes sir, the old couch greens aren’t much fun to putt on. I thank God that He invented bent grass. Pity it doesn’t grow up here in Queensland.