I think this last week has been a wake-up call for how I spend my weeks on tour…
As I mentioned in my last blog, I missed the event in Slovakia to have some much needed family time and time away from golf…After playing 7 weeks in a row, leaving the clubs in the flight bag would hopefully make me want to get them back out after 6 days and be ‘buzzing’ to compete again!It sure did!!
The event following Slovakia was on the amazing island of La Gomera, so we decided to head out a week before and get settled for a week’s family holiday before the golf started the following week.
It’s quite an adventure to get to the island and not too many people even know where it is.
But if you want 10 days away, all inclusive, quiet, clean, relaxed, and some fun holiday golf then make the effort as it’s worth the trip!
It’s probably not worth coming for just a week due to the travel…But 10 or more days won’t disappoint!
We flew from Leeds to Tenerife South early morning, spent 6 hours in Los Cristianos and then got the 1hr crossing on the ferry that evening, followed by a half hour taxi ride – which is an incredible journey to the top of the mountain and back down the other side!!
It’s breathtaking!!
For the first week we chilled; well, Jess didn’t, she was having the time of her life, swimming, jumping in, kids’ club, making friends, kids’ disco, ice cream; she was non-stop!
But what I soon realised on my third visit to this resort was how beautiful it actually is! From my previous two visits on my own, all I really remember is sitting in the hotel lobby on wifi wishing the week away, and a golf tournament filling up the rest of the time.
It’s an amazing opportunity I have to see the world, and although I have seen some incredible places, I’m sure I’ve not appreciated it enough and seen half of what I should have on my travels!!
My next few blogs could now turn into the national geographic – haha!
Maybe a week off helped with the golf, too; after two good days’ practice with my caddy (Peter) I set off pretty well in round one after bouncing back with two birdies after bogeying the first…
And then to finish birdie, eagle, birdie and shoot 65 (-6) was great and it got my first round monkey off my back!
Round 2 and 3 I played similar but holed no putts whatsoever! Two rounds of level par and I slipped down from T3rd to 41st on was a seriously low scoring week…
Scores of 60, 61, and 62 were pretty common! Wow! These guys are good!
Last round I got off to a shocking start and was +3 after 5 holes! That was embarrassing and my pride was taking a hit…It felt like shooting over par was not an option on this golf course and me and my caddy set the target of getting it back to level par!
Somehow I soon did; I hit a few close shots and then added another couple of birdies to shoot -2 and be quite pleased with my final round on the island!
I ended the week T36th on -8 and sneaked up the OOM one spot, which felt like a bonus!
I’ve now got a week off at home. I’m missing the French event, but two lessons with my coach through the week, and loads of quality practice to get set for the big event of the year in Madeira, are essential!
I can’t wait!!!