PGA Professional Championship Hershey
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Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
A very disappointing week to say the very least.
I put a lot of thought and probably too much self imposed pressure to perform well. I tried my best to peak before this tourney but had some worries going in. I started the season off well. Lots of mid 60s rounds which included a course record 62 at my home course Nevillewood. Played very well in the section events culminating with an early June win in a major point event, the Tri State Open.
The problem was, and I shouldnt say this, but I should have won that event by more. I hit it really well and made virtually nothing. Didnt bother me until the next 3 tourney rounds I noticed my birdie output was down. Couldnt make a putt at all.
So I had a couple worries going in. Most of all, my back. 2 herniated discs are always a concern when I have 6 days of playing. Every day it felt terrible in the morning, but some pills and a hot shower got me a little normal and a cant say it costed me any shots.
Second, the putter. I hit it slightly above average for me. Wedges were great at times and ok at times. I hit 27 greens and had alot of good looks. My miss was a little late thin that gave me some 25-30 foot putts. Problem was I had the worst 2 days of putting in the last 10 years for me. The leader, a very fine player, took 52 putts I read. I had 65. There's the difference between +1 and -12.
There was a stretch on the front 9 the first day where I missed 3 five foot birdies, had a 360 horseshoe, missed a 6 foot par putt and a straight as you can point 10 foot birdie.....and the greens were perfect! My only 4 birdies of the event were all literally tap ins.
While I'm very disappointed, it was fun, the family is having a great time, and I saw alot of friends. Its only golf and I'm starting to realize that an entire golf game is hard to keep in tact while teaching as much as I do. I'm probably going to have to be content with getting hot a few times a year and capitalizing on those chances.
Thanks to anyone who was interested in my event and sorry I couldnt bring a little more excitement.
I put a lot of thought and probably too much self imposed pressure to perform well. I tried my best to peak before this tourney but had some worries going in. I started the season off well. Lots of mid 60s rounds which included a course record 62 at my home course Nevillewood. Played very well in the section events culminating with an early June win in a major point event, the Tri State Open.
The problem was, and I shouldnt say this, but I should have won that event by more. I hit it really well and made virtually nothing. Didnt bother me until the next 3 tourney rounds I noticed my birdie output was down. Couldnt make a putt at all.
So I had a couple worries going in. Most of all, my back. 2 herniated discs are always a concern when I have 6 days of playing. Every day it felt terrible in the morning, but some pills and a hot shower got me a little normal and a cant say it costed me any shots.
Second, the putter. I hit it slightly above average for me. Wedges were great at times and ok at times. I hit 27 greens and had alot of good looks. My miss was a little late thin that gave me some 25-30 foot putts. Problem was I had the worst 2 days of putting in the last 10 years for me. The leader, a very fine player, took 52 putts I read. I had 65. There's the difference between +1 and -12.
There was a stretch on the front 9 the first day where I missed 3 five foot birdies, had a 360 horseshoe, missed a 6 foot par putt and a straight as you can point 10 foot birdie.....and the greens were perfect! My only 4 birdies of the event were all literally tap ins.
While I'm very disappointed, it was fun, the family is having a great time, and I saw alot of friends. Its only golf and I'm starting to realize that an entire golf game is hard to keep in tact while teaching as much as I do. I'm probably going to have to be content with getting hot a few times a year and capitalizing on those chances.
Thanks to anyone who was interested in my event and sorry I couldnt bring a little more excitement.
Sorry it didn't go better for you Kevin. Thing to remember, and I know it doesn't mean too much now, is that you are playing at a level that most of us will never reach. 27 greens in a high pressure environment, with a back that sounds as bad as mine, is pretty damned impressive! I would love to have the opportunity to do what you are doing for just 1 day! Definitely sounds like you have it in perspective - and there is always next year!
Really sounds like you are only a better putting performance away from making a lot of noise - guess that is what you will concentrate on ( well, as much as you can with everything else you have going on! ) for the next event?
Really sounds like you are only a better putting performance away from making a lot of noise - guess that is what you will concentrate on ( well, as much as you can with everything else you have going on! ) for the next event?
Steve Greffen
New
Kevin,
Was following with a rooting interest and before your nice description of your week I could almost sense your frustration while looking at your scorecard in the live leaderboard. So many pars strung together it spelled a lot of greens hit and no putts made. I liked how you didn't give up and had a little run at the end to get close to the cut. It would be interesting to see how you may have done going into the week having no expectations or pressure on yourself and see how you would have performed but obviously you can't redo that and would suppose it would not be in your character to not put the focus and preparation into it.
Thanks again for the insight it was great to hear your report when you won earlier in the year as well as this insight of your result this week despite your finish.
Enjoy Hershey and the family now as that is what's important!
Steve
Was following with a rooting interest and before your nice description of your week I could almost sense your frustration while looking at your scorecard in the live leaderboard. So many pars strung together it spelled a lot of greens hit and no putts made. I liked how you didn't give up and had a little run at the end to get close to the cut. It would be interesting to see how you may have done going into the week having no expectations or pressure on yourself and see how you would have performed but obviously you can't redo that and would suppose it would not be in your character to not put the focus and preparation into it.
Thanks again for the insight it was great to hear your report when you won earlier in the year as well as this insight of your result this week despite your finish.
Enjoy Hershey and the family now as that is what's important!
Steve
Thanks for the summary info. I'm so jealous of the amount of greens you hit, although I wonder how much my putts per round would go up if I had more long putts instead of constantly having 10 feet and under for par. It's rare I'm over 30 putts per round...but it's also rare that I hit more than 50-60% gir.
dschultz6072
New
Heh I was looking for you too. My wife was wondering why I was watching that tournament at 11pm! You're still awesome Kevin.
cmartingolf
New
Kevin, sorry the putts didn't drop for you. Missing the cut sucks and missing by 1 when the putts don't fall sucks more! You are clearly a very fine player with a ton of game. I was rooting for you. Hope we can have a beer at next year's PPC.
Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
Thanks, Martin. The more I think about it, the more it hurts. I tried my best to prepare and I needed just one putt outside 5 feet to drop but I'm sure alot of others could say the same. I hope we can get beered up out at Monteray next year as well.
Bayonet and Black Horse for 2012 PGA National Championship
I just knew that the next year tournament will be held at these two courses in Seaside, CA. I will sure follow you if either play there next year. Bayonet is the longer course and requires a lot of up hill and down hill tee shots into tree lined fairways. Black Horse is a links style course with a lot of false greens and undulations on most greens. These are one of my favorite courses. Good luck in advance on the next year tournament.
I just knew that the next year tournament will be held at these two courses in Seaside, CA. I will sure follow you if either play there next year. Bayonet is the longer course and requires a lot of up hill and down hill tee shots into tree lined fairways. Black Horse is a links style course with a lot of false greens and undulations on most greens. These are one of my favorite courses. Good luck in advance on the next year tournament.
birdie_man
New
U gonna get it. Doin good yet.
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