Things didn't start too well today and I really felt as though things were going against me early on, a true test of my mental strength. I was on the range hitting a few 60m shots when all of a sudden I hit one and my sand wedge broke!! The grip stayed in my hands but the broken shaft and clubhead flew backwards over my head and into the shoulder of an unaware volunteer. He was ok, just a little shocked, as was I. Here was the real hurdle of the day, I have just hit a volunteer and felt bad, but the bigger issue was that I didn't have a sand wedge and I was teeing off in 45 mins.
No need to panic I thought so I went through my warm up routine and then sought out the local pro to see what we could come up with for the day. I hate to say it but I had to implement a Titleist club into my bag, sorry Callaway!! They had a brand new demo 58 degree vokey wedge which was going to have to do. I went out and hit a few shots with it to get somewhat comfortable with it, hit a couple of putts and then headed for the 10th tee. On arrival at the tee I went to turn my phone off but for some reason it had nothing, great I had broken my wedge and now my iphone was broken too. I really felt that things were going against me. Being the christian that I am I truly felt that I was under attack. I simply prayed and gave the day to God, and asked that he could allow me to just relax, be patient and enjoy the day, and deal with the other stuff later.
I teed off and despite starting the ball on the line I wanted it didn't fade and so ended up on the wrong side of a tree line done the first hole of the day. I had a clear shot with a nine iron and made a good swing and the ball flew straight at the pin, and ended up 1 inch from the hole. Very quickly the start to my day was forgotten and I was away. I played really nice for the rest of the day and despite having a few chances that I didn't make, I worked my way to 4 under par through 15 holes and was going along ok. Mentally I was strong and nothing was fazing me.
So I made my way to the 16th tee, a par three into the wind only to have my two playing partners arguing on the tee. One had accused the other on the previous green of walking on the line of his putt and then the accused decided to take offence to it on the next tee. It was my turn to hit and they were having an argument on the tee and no matter what the accuser said, the accused didn't like it and before long it was heated with expletives flying. Unbelievable, I had done so well not to get involved on the previous green but it looked very possible that it was going to escalate quickly here, and I was trying to hit a shot. I butted in and told them I was trying to play golf here and could they possibly save it for later on. Let's just say there won't be any Christmas cards being exchanged there!! Unfortunately it did enough for me to miss the green and make a bogie, only my 3rd missed green of the day. Disappointing that this guy decided to carry on like a pork chop at that time.
Anyway I regathered myself and parred 17 before hitting a great wedge shot with my new Titleist wedge into the last only to have my putt hit something and catch the lip to miss. Still 3 under was a good start, it just felt a little short the way I had played. Hopefully the shots I left out there today will be there for me to pick up tomorrow!! Check out this photo from the course I took in practice!