It was truly a unique experience and incredible golf game. I showed up at the course to qualify for the 2014 US Senior Amateur tournament without even understanding how truly incredible an experience it would be to be one of 156 people nationwide that would playoff for the national championship. Had I known I may have had more pressure. But on this day in August, I was more concerned about my daughter’s wedding in three days than I was what I would shoot.
It quickly became evident on the first hole when I barely missed an eagle putt and on the second hole when I chipped in, that this would be no ordinary round. After three holes and three birdies I was on my way to my best competitive round ever shooting a 31 with 6 Birdies. Holding on the backside knowing par was going to probably be good enough, I fought my inner demons to get the prize and advance to the US Senior Open at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, CA.
I tell you this because there is hope for anyone who really wants to see how good their game can become. I became aware of the Senior Circuit when the US Senior Open came to my club, Omaha Country Club in 2013. At 53, I was a good Country Club player but had never competed in USGA events. When I decided to try and qualify, I had my worst round ever it felt like. The practice round was one over par and the qualifier was much worse barely missing last place.
But the experience taught me what I needed to work on. Knowing the Senior Amateur age was 55, I went to work to see if I could become competitive for Senior golf. For 18 months I figured out areas of my game that needed work including a new golf swing and my short game thanks to Tom Sieckmann. I also improved my golf fitness working with national kettle bell record holder Bill Esch. The unintended consequences of owning a website business with over 500 pages of fitness content is that it actually works!!! I know for a fact that I am playing far superior golf at 55 than I ever played at 50, and I am much better shape.
If you want to take your game to the next level, set your goals high, enter some competitions out of your comfort level, put a plan together of swing improvement, and definitely look to a golf fitness regiment. The best thing about the fitness program is it has benefits far beyond the golf course by improving your health and reducing injuries. I’m a believer and I have a really cool medal to remember that one special round of golf that five years ago would have been totally unreachable. If you would like to know more about how fitness for golf can help you reach your golf goals please leave me a note below.
