Berwick Invitational - Part 2
The previous post gave you a little insight into the history and traditions of the Berwick Golf Club. In this part, I’d just like to give you my top 10 thoughts about the tournament.
1) I love playing with my step-dad and seeing if we can string together enough quality holes to compete for our flight championship.
2) Tom told me “you really only need to hit driver 7 times on this course". To which I replied, you realize my driver is the second most consistent club in my bag after my putter. Why would I not hit it when possible? It was mostly a wise decision. It did not affect our overall score, if anything it helped our score.
3) Catching up with old friends and playing with great people. I almost always appreciate the people we get to play with during this tournament. The people, stories, and experiences we discuss during our 4-plus hours of our round are always entertaining and enlightening.
4) There were many less trees in the way, post storm. The storm blew over or snapped off many of the trees in places that could have interfered with my golf ball. This allowed me to hit more fairways and leave myself easier approach shots.
5) We got in our 4 rounds of golf and kept my youngest son happy fishing and attending the Pocono NASCAR race weekend. Our mediocre play allowed me to finish early on Saturday to go see friends and enjoy NASCAR race weekend Saturday night. Our tee time early Sunday made it possible to play golf and then make it to the NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway. The action packed few days with family and keeping my preteen occupied and happy all came together to make this years event enjoyable.
6) Two of the 3 days I had less than 200 yards into a par 5 and did not hit the green. It is a difficult green from a downhill lie but I. should have sniffed the green from the distances I had in to hit the green. It was operator error as usual when we hit bad golf shots.
7) I did not take my rain gear trusting the meteorologist predicting only a 32% chance of rain. Well it 100% rained and all me gear was in the car. I did not follow my own advise of always being prepared for the worst and hope for the best. (At times my golf swing felt like this during the tournament.). I was smart enough to finish the hole were were playing prior to the green flooding. Only then did they suspend play.
8) My step dad began having hip pain mid round Saturday and never told me. Even though I noticed the swing differences, I though it was fatigue. I also did not ask and questions, which I should have. He needed to communicate or find relief as much as possible for our team to play better.
9) This years tournament almost did not happen due to a wild storm that produced winds in excess of 100 mph just 3 weeks prior to the event created havoc on the golf course. The members and staff work tirelessly to ensure the golf course was playable so quickly, post-storm.
10) The lack of focus over the golf ball infuriated me this year. It may of only happened a handful of times but that is a handful too many. One time my mind began to think about the wind blowing and not relaxing and trusting my swing. Another shot, I did not trust my lie and stance, rather than stepping away and feeling more comfortable prior to making my actual swing would have been a wiser decision. I pride myself on my mental focus on the golf course and this year I faltered. This lack of foucs definitely cost our team at least 5 shots throughout the tournament. Those five shots would have moved us into second place in our flight.
Have you played in any tournaments this summer? If so, tell me in the comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
Fore the love of golf,
-Ryan
Tee shot #10
2024 The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway
