Kegs and Eggs and a Run a State

The end of September was certainly eventful.  Miles spent much of his time practicing and preparing for his post season match at Calvert City Country Club.  Fortunately, the course where sub-State was being held was a course we'd played earlier in the season on literally the hottest week of the YEAR.  It was a shotgun start and not the best round honestly.  When he qualified for the round at region, Matt called and got him a tee time and most were full. They managed to squeeze him on with a group at 12:20 on Sunday (24th).  

 

  

September 23rd was Family Weekend in Richmond at EKU.  Originally Isaac had planned to come home but changed his mind.  Because he also decided to go to Myrtle Beach with his fraternity also meant that he wouldn't be coming home for Fall Break (this weekend) either.  We really wanted to see him and decided to make the trip early that morning.  Isaac decided to pledge Kappa Sigma this year, and the fraternity was hosting a breakfast that morning at 11AM - Kegs and Eggs.  Without going into great detail, let's just say it was nice to meet his new friends and glad he has found his "group" away from home.  Before the tailgate and eating out, we dropped a bunch of things off at his dorm for his beach trip. The football tailgate began around 1PM, and because we weren't entirely sure what that would consist of, we decided we wanted to eat.  Cane's it was!  Turns out, the tailgate had tons food - Isaac didn't really know any of the details like if we needed bring anything, etc. (we'll know next time).   It was warm but still a pleasant day.  We had no plans to go the football game unless Isaac wanted to go (he didn't).  The tickets were super cheap, but the game was later in the evening and we weren't staying the night since Miles had a practice round in Calvert City the next day.

 

Karson also had family day at UofL. Fortunately, she got to be with our extended family and enjoy time with them.

We left after school that Monday to head to Calvert City trying to arrive early enough for Miles to get some more quick chipping and putting practice in before dark.  We'd booked a room at the super fancy Quality Inn.  Matt's brother Andrew is in Benton a lot for work so we met up with he and his brother Ben at Cracker Barrel for dinner that night.

Because Miles was the only individual for our golf team who qualified, and our coach was scheduled for our work trip the day of the tournament, Matt went through the certification to become Miles's coach which allowed for them to work together on Tuesday.  Obviously, there is not a person alive that knows more about Miles's game and proclivities than Matt.  They've spent LOTS of time together on the golf course since Miles started playing competitively at a young age.  Matt loves golf and knows everything there is to know, hah!  He also coached the team in his first years at South.  They were a killer combo out there together.  It was special!  

 

I was a nervous wreck of course.  You pretty much cover every single emotion in golf when you're a player and a parent.  It's easy to tell how a golfer is doing simply based on the look of the parents.  In fact, some parents are even allowed to come watch their kids because of it.  I told Miles on the way home (after the round) how much I appreciate that he's always been okay with us being there.  He's competed in every single Varsity tournament at South since 8th grade even playing JV (every round) his 8th grade and freshman years.  He's played A LOT of golf for South.  I've probably been to 95% of the matches, not including the summer tournaments.  I love watching him.  

Golf, life, hard lessons that all work together to make this athlete a better human being.  There is nothing simple about this sport.  When it's great, it can be the most rewarding thing in the world.  When it's not, it feels like you've sunk to your lowest point and can barely make it.  For those that experience success in this sport, it because the scars have healed and their ability to persevere far outweighs their defeats.  Miles worked his a_ _ off this season.  He did what it took to be as good as he could - practice, lessons, blisters, work outs, heat, rain, long days, tiredness - his will to keep going was powerful.  I love that about him.  I know this drive will help him be a successful person overall.  

Things did not go as planned that Tuesday.  He played great and did his best - one stroke away from being in a playoff for the 15th individual spot.  His head was high, and we were proud of him and for him.  However, the event did not go without a small fiasco.  Those that are familiar with how this works know that live scoring can be tricky.  Sometimes groups don't keep the score, and sometimes it's incorrect and later has to be corrected.  In other words, it's difficult to predict where you land in the mix unless you are a winning team.  At sub state, the top three teams get to move on and the top 15 individuals not on one of those teams.  We know Miles would fall close to that cut off.  Matt had done all the configuring to see if he would be in that mix.  The numbers were tight.  He was convinced Miles would not be competing and be one stroke off.  I started hugging some of my senior mom golf friends because I knew this would be our last time seeing them.  Out of the blue, they make an announcement with the playoff on #18.  Miles and the other 78's were on that list.  We were shocked as it was unexpected.  The group of five playing for only one spot all headed down the hill to the tee box.  I didn't go the entire way (stopping halfway) because I knew they would be hitting down the fairway, and we'd be walking back up that hill. Quite frankly, I was pooped from walking 7 miles already.  It was taking forever for them to tee off, and I would see the rules official pacing the tee box.  I had no idea what was going on and figured maybe some scores were put in wrong and some other golfer belonged in this playoff.  Knowing these playoffs are not quick, it seemed like it was dragging on.  Finally the KHSAA announcer came back on the PA and basically told everyone that there was a mistake and that all of the 77's would be competing in a playoff.  Honestly, it was disappointing for BOTH groups.  Here the 78's thought they were getting a shot at state while the 77's were relieved to have made the cut - only to learn that they hadn't.  It was a weird ending to a very long day.

We were ready to get back home so didn't stick around for the playoff but got some updates from friends.  This playoff was seven golfers for five spots which was even more difficult.  We later found out that one of Miles's Owensboro summer tournament friends (a senior from Madisonville North Hopkins) was the final one cut.  These two on the way back up for Miles on  #18 and heading down embraced which was sweet.  We truly hated it for him =(.

It's nice to actually be able to enjoy fall break without the stress of golf.  Our Spartan has one more season to play, and we're excited to see what he can accomplish.  For now, we are relaxing at home for the week.  Isaac came home on Thursday with his roommate (who is also from BG and was coming to town), and it was a treat hanging out with him until Saturday morning.  We did some shopping and got him some things he needs for the fall/winter.  Karson is coming home on Thursday for a few days.  Miles is dog sitting our favorite pooch Oreo for the week and actually started working part time at Halloween Express (also known as the orange tent in these parts).

We don't have any big plans for the week.  It's hard when everyone is on a different school schedule/break, and honestly, Miles isn't a big fan of the beach.  I'm working for a few days and then gonna take off a few days.  October is a BIG month.  Miles celebrates 17 on the 17th, and Karson turns 21 on the 22nd!!!  Cheers to FALL!