It was an early start – up at 5:30, breakfast, coffee and off to practice chipping off Kike!  I was feeling great, no nerves, the weather was kind it was going to be a good day.  Because we were second off I had the practice chipping green to my self which was good and I needed to get confident with my distances off the Kikuyu grass as our grass at Avondale is Couch which is finer.  A few warm up shots in the nets and a lot of putting.

There were no big crowds at the tee, I didn’t feel nervous – so no excuses for the hook off the tee.  I landed up in my usual spot 150 out with tall trees to go over and a strong draw to get it on the green.  Being just after 7am and in the shade the grass was still wet so “sensible Shaz” came out and I laid up, after all I had just spent 20 mins practicing chipping.  YES, got my up and down.  Overall today I played well I was let down by the putter, I just lost my confidence and couldn’t get it back – which meant if I didn’t make the green in regulation then I had a bogey.  My bunker play was amazing – again thank you Ben.

Jan was on the bag, she looked like she was having fun.  She was a rookie and of course there was bound to be at least one story – before I tell that, I must say that she was awesome.  She kept me watered (still had to use every port-a-loo I could find), she had all sorts of goodies to eat and she was very good with most of the course management.  I say most because we were playing the 6th hole and I have a short chip in, I pace it out and it is 19m to the green – so I ask Jan how far the pin is on.  You are given pin sheets and they give you the meterage from the front and from the right or left – very simple little grid system Hole 6 9L 16, means 9 from left edge and 16m on.  Jan says confidently 16 on, I add my 19m that I had paced to the green and came up with 45m – I thought that it looked a very long way for 45m.  We are not allowed to use GPS’s or lasers to measure, so it is back to basics.  Jan, you sure it is 16 on – yes definitely she said.  I said it looks a long way, no Shaz its 9 from the left and 16 on.  Okay I say, what hole are you on – Ahhh Jan says!  Wrong hole, its 29m on…  Even having the correct length, I obviously thought it was further because I hit it miles past the pin!  In all seriousness, it is hard to follow the holes because you are playing off different tees that don’t have the plates or hole numbers on them – so easy to get confused.  Thanks Jan for giving me something to write about.

Thanks to all who came out and supported us, it is so nice and encouraging to see friendly faces in the crowd and know that they are supporting you.  Big hugs and kisses to you all – you know who you are…

The best fun was after John had secured us the best table in the house to watch the last hole, for those of you that have not played Oatlands – the 18th is a 130m par 3, uphill hole with a green that slopes severely from back to front and surrounded by bunkers (see picture below).  Not only is this a tricky hole, the wind is gusting and there are loads of people in the club house waiting for some entertainment!  Having finished the hole, it was easy to sit there and comment on all the other players that came through, we judged golf, fashion, skill, green reading – you name it.  Overall I had a great day, a good tournament, goal achieved, more experience gained.  My hubby, family and friends have been amazing and are such a good support system and I love you all for it.  So thanks and bring it on next year.

Categories: Golf Tournaments NSW Open 2014

Shaz Thompson

Mad about golf, enthusiastic about life, totally in love with my husband and just having fun.