Back into the swing of things…
So, here we go, my two months of winter development is up! It’s now time for the real thing, and to put all that practice to the test.
I’m Kenya bound for the first Challenge Tour event of the season and, with my new improved category on the tour from my performance at the ‘Tour School’ last December, it was great to see my name massively up the entry list.
But the first stop, like last year, is Dubai for two and a half days of warm weather, practice and competitive rounds on some testing golf courses.
I’m out there again with Matt Ford and I know there are quite a few other players in the area so it’s going to be great to have a few cash games and try to hit some shots under a bit more pressure than in a net at Woodsome Hall.
We’re also lucky enough to be able to use the facilities at The Emirates Golf Club, where they host the Desert Classic, and the facilities are great!
(Emirates GC – Putting green)
On the Sunday, Matt and I had our own challenge match around the Faldo course. I played quite nicely and took the money, but the main thing was I hit some good golf shots!
The following day we headed to Al Badia Golf Club for an early game before our flight to Nairobi. Matt and I gelled well as a team and we managed to take the money off Jamie Howarth and Tom Murray. Again, I felt I hit some nice shots, but most of all over the two days I felt I was putting and driving the ball well.
That’s where my main focus has been this winter, so it’s nice to see some results early on in the season.
So now we fly onto Kenya for the Challenge Tour event in Nairobi, it’s at the same course as last year (Karen CC) but I believe they have made a few changes, which sound fun. I can’t wait to get started and get going on my 2014 campaign.
Wish me luck!
After a good practice round at Karen CC, where the tournament is held, the following day 35 of us where shipped off to Mutahgi golf club to play in the Barclay’s pro-am.
It was a bit strange, really, getting ready to play one golf course and then having to play a totally different one the day before the event. And what made it even stranger was playing with no yardage book – and you were not allowed to use distance measuring devices either!
It was a day of total guessing – which felt very old school!!!!!
Despite everyone’s moaning, I actually had a really fun day! My two team members were fantastic company and good golfers too. We gave the competition a run for its money and posted a respectable 6 under (1 net score to count per hole).
(Pro-am team)
So, back to our hotel for a night of rest before a very early start the following day (7.30am tee off).
Here is what my morning schedule looks like…
Round 1:
A bit of an edgy start to life back on the Challenge Tour! As well as my preparation has gone, and winning at Fulford a few weeks back, you still never really know how you are going to perform under the real gun!
I managed to scrap it round in +1, and that was a scrap!! A chip-in on the 16th helps to restore a little confidence, and gives me more of a chance to make the weekend after round 2.
Talking about guns….
(Armed guards and the view from our hotel where the shooting was last September in the Shopping Mall)
Round 2:
Just like last year in the Kenya Open, I battled my way round and after a nervy two-hour wait I made the cut on the mark at +1.
What a relief! I actually played quite nicely and got it to -2 at one point, but a couple of bogeys on the back nine made it too close for comfort.
I was SO close to missing the cut that I had looked at changing my flight to the Saturday night, but luckily the wind held its strength and I lived to fight again over the weekend! J
Round 3: (moving day, as they say)
I played great today and it felt nice to post a decent score, no one is shooting that low round here and anything under par is always going up the board! I had a great chance to get to -4 through 15 but a weak putt and a bogey on the next meant a birdie up the last saw me post -3 and move up around 27 spots on the leaderboard to 30th.
Round 4:
Again, another very windy day, which for me seems to make me focus more and be a lot more creative with my golf (maybe that’s from growing up at Crosland Heath?!).
I played really solidly but with the firm greens I struggled to get the ball close and holing out from the bunker on 9 really kept me on track for a good round.
I birdied the last again, and walked off the 18th very happy with my week’s work! From just making the cut to finishing T23rd is a good weekend’s work and a positive start to the season.
I now have three weeks at home before the co-sanctioned event with the European Tour in Spain. I can’t wait – it’s La Reserva at Sotogrande!
Again, thank you for the many twitter messages and emails this week, it’s great to be playing again and your messages really help when I’m away from home!
Regards
Chris