County Champs tomorrow...

[AmandaJR]

My first and mildly terrified and excited all at the same time! A big step up for me golf-wise and I'm one of the highest handicappers playing but if I don't give it a go I'll never know how I fare. Plus it's at my home course so would be a shame not to take advantage of that - albeit I've only been there since March. I have been able to play plenty this week though and assess conditions which have changed somewhat since the rain - everything softer and less run plus greens way more receptive.

May have overdone the practice a tad as pretty pooped now but a good night's sleep and I'm not out til 8.50am so quite civilised. I'm hoping my fitness will prevail in the 2nd round but no doubt most of the other players are more than used to 36 hole comps.

Played our 4th a few times today as nipped back to it a couple of times! Lay up option 6 times and scored a 4 from every one. Went for the green 4 times and only made it once - overcooked 2 left into the trees and undercooked the other into the water. The one onto the green was a beauty but just not the % shot for me right now so that's at least one decision made!

So tomorrow is 36 holes medal play with the top 16 (gross) qualifying for the main event and the 2nd 16 qualifying for the Plate. Saturday and Sunday are knockout matchplay and not expecting to make it but know I have a low score in me so The Plate may be on my horizon

 

[fundy]

good luck Amanda, dont worry about the others just play your game and add em up at the end

 

[Alex1975]

How exciting, will be thinking of you.

 

[pbrown7582]

Good for you enjoy and play well.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Relax. Start with no preconceptions, play within yourself and use local knowledge to your advantage. Above all - ENJOY

 

[louise_a]

Best of luck Amanda, hope local knowledge serves you well.

 

[philly169]

good luck Amanda! course is playing quite well at the moment and greens are in top condition. If your comfortable laying up on 4, then its an easy way to save shots.

 

[AmandaJR]

Thanks guys. Agreed Phil the course is looking great and a bit of rain has helped. Not expecting the greens to be much quicker tomorrow as the rain scuppered some plans - phew!

Hoping to enjoy the experience for sure...

 

[Shiny]

Enjoy the day, we want a full report as well.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Play well Amanda. Don't heap pressure on yourself - just go out to enjoy it and the score will take care of itself. Looking forward to hearing of your qualification! :thup:

 

[JustOne]

36 holes then a 2 day matchplay? Sounds awesome - good luck.

8.50 am......I hope you're on the first tee right now?

 

[Biggleswade Blue]

Good luck!

 

[bobmac]

I'll bet you're home now with your feet up cream crackered
Hope you had a good day

 

[AmandaJR]

A bit of a disaster yesterday! Played ok in the morning although long irons really off which had been the case much of the week. Lots of thinned ones but scrambled well and despite two triples scored an 86 which had me in the top 16 as no-one was setting the course alight. Started the afternoon ok but an infection in my leg from an old mossy bite had really started to bite and I was feeling decidedly dodgy. The 3rd hole (my 30th) is a bit of a blur but from memory involved alot of the rough, an air shot (chip), being sick and standing up long enough to hole out for a 9 (or could have been an 8 - who knows). My playing partners persuaded me to withdraw - I was gutted and a little upset to be honest (still am). I know from my running days I am stubborn and the q word not in my vocabulary but also I can make myself very ill/injured too. So saw the doc today and a nasty infection so prescribed strong antibiotics for a week so should hopefully be back in tip top shape in a few days.

It was a positive experience in the main though. Range beforehand and was hitting it nicely and amazed how many weren't around me so my confidence grew significantly. I thought one girl would explode or cry as she hit push after push without seeming to have a clue as to why nor changing anything for the next ball. All week though I've nailed it on the range or practice area but less so on the course. I dealt with the nerves better than I expected despite not feeling on top form so that's encouraging. I also expected to be out-hit and was ready for that but my driver was behaving so quite the opposite.

Anyway, feel rough as rough today so know it was right to q.... withdraw! Next year David has promised to caddy

 

[Imurg]

Harsh stuff Amanda
But you made the right decision
It takes a strong mind to know when to q......withdraw..:clap::thup:

I would say "Pour yourself a Strong one" but if you're on Anti-B's it's probably best not to!:cheers:

 

[bobmac]

Flippin Nora, you should be a F1 driver with all those excuses.

The positives......
Despite not being at your best you still qualified

The negatives...
stay away from mossys in future.

Modern medicine has also proved that a glass or two of red is essential if you want antibiotics to work faster.

disclaimer...........I am not a doctor

 

[FairwayDodger]

That's real hard luck Amanda but definitely right to withdraw - you're not doing yourself any favours keeping going when you're that ill.

My first bash at county champs was last year. I'd been ill for a while beforehand and hadn't actually left the flat for about five days prior to attempting the 36 hole qualifier. Struggled round the first 18, thought I was going to kill myself, and withdrew before starting the second round. So I know exactly how disappointed you must feel. Tried again this year and qualified for the matchplay so keep your chin up and I'm sure you'll do it next year!

:thup: