2012 is a year of great prospect. After my first year out on tour last year since my original year back in 99/00. I had a very mixed year, with my time in Japan being a great learning experience of playing on one of the biggest tours in the world despite not really getting the results I was looking for. Coupled with that was my time in Australia where I didn't fair much better although having a breakthrough win on the Aussie Tour in NSW late in the year. That was the undoubted highlight of the year and has set me up for 2012.
With exemption on the Aussie Tour this year and also starting in most events on the One Asia Tour it looks like I will have a fairly solid schedule of around 20 events this year with 12-15 being solid million dollars purses. That excites me and I am really looking forward to the year ahead. The big news for the year ahead is that I have had a change in coaches. I have sadly moved on from my coach Richard Harris which is the end of an era as Richard had helped me for about 15 yrs. The time is right for the change and I am very happy to be a part of the plans for Pure Balance golf on the Gold Coast under coach Kevin Healey. I have had three lessons with him in the past week and we are making significant changes in order to improve ball flight and power and provide a more repeatable action that has more strength and versatility. That combined with the schedule of events for the year has me itching to play and practice to hopefully elevate my game to the next level and beyond.
Along with my golf training I have continued to work hard at my physical training particularly on my bike where my training for the Tour of Hope (see tab on homepage for more info) continues to gain momentum. I have actually brought my bike this week to continue my training this week. I am still looking to raise $10000 for this ride in May so if you haven't given to a charity this year and want to support a cause that is just and where you will know your money goes directly to the kids and workers at the orphanage in Kenya then please find the link on the Tour of Hope page and support me.
Anyway onto this week. I have fairly low expectations for this week which may turn out to be a good thing. As I have just started to work with Kevin only a week ago, the changes are certainly not ingrained yet so I am expecting some great shots and some not so great shots. I also suffered a foot injury on holidays with my family in mid January and it is not great at the moment. I have been having treatment on it but today, the first day I have walked 18 holes since hurting it, was quite uncomfortable from about the 15th hole onwards. Hopefully I have four days to deal with the discomfort!! The course is in great condition with the greens being a little slower than normal. Tee to green though it is excellent although as I type this it is raining outside so it may be a little damp and slower again tomorrow. I am playing at 7:10 in the morning with Doug Holloway and Brad Hughes which should be a great experience as Brad has certainly been around and won big tournaments. Thanks for following the progress and I hope to blog some great news to all of you this year. Please get involved and send me your hello's and encouragement as it can get lonely away from home at times and it is great to here from you no matter how little comment is!!! Back tomorrow with an update from round one!!