The chapter will soon close, but it's not over yet!
Our team partnered up with the girls for some pictures at Olde Stone - they make our boys look much better - HAH!
I have a feeling one of these individual photos will land on Miles's graduation announcement. Such a handsome young man in his element!
Senior Golfers!
These two and the difficult game of golf! No telling how many hours, conversations, and instruction have been put into this sport! No one knows Miles's game and tendencies better than his old man!
MINERAL MOUND: the beautiful and dreadful
At our regional meal with the girls team, each were partnered up for an interview with the boys. One of the questions asked: what is the most challenging course you've played this season? Mineral Mound, always and forever is the answer. Surrounded by woods and Lake Barkley, this golf course is about as unforgiving as it gets! You better throw darts and be accurate or else!
Our Labor Day weekend opened with golf in Eddyville. We decided to sleep in at KY Dam Village and not arrive early for a golf cart. Mistake. The day was hot and brutal. For seven LONG hours, we covered a lot of ground. I'm not sure how Miles or any of those golfers do it - hiking up and down hills, trapesing through woods, packing golf clubs, and competing. No other word but LOVE for the game. You are hopeful that it loves you back. It generally doesn't at MM.
The final high school (regular season) round happened a week ago Saturday at Rolling Hills golf course. With an afternoon tee time, we were able to sleep in a little for a change. The weather looked scary most of the day but managed to hold off which made for a pleasant match. It was Miles's day to shine and shine he did!
He has resorted to wearing his rain glove instead of his regular glove when conditions get sticky and sweaty. Our coach Big Jim was airing his glove out for him during the round. We laughed because he told Miles he also sprinkled some birdie dust in it.
Miles ended the round with five birdies (compliments of the glove dust). Matt captured every shot on the last hole on video, including his final birdie. It was an emotional day, and a complete downpour came as soon as we finished and awards were handed out.
He received a 3rd place individual finish plaque, tying with his BG friend Rowdy but winning in the scorecard playoff. We celebrated at Russellville's Jalapeno Grill before heading home!
Our booster President, Joe Patterson, invited both the boys and girls team to Broadway Church for our regional meal last Thursday. He made his famous home-made pizza which was incredible!
These Spartans are ready for battle!
Be still my heart! My stomach was in knots all weekend anxiously waiting for Monday to arrive. I had high hopes that our team could pull out a 1st or 2nd place finish and all advance. We have so much talent but seem to continually come up short each time.
Miles had two full practice rounds at Indian Hills that week and went there daily to putt and chip. He loves the course but knew it would be extra challenging for region. We decided it was best to postpone his golf lesson that Friday since his hitting was going well. Sometimes you can get too far in your head when you receive new instruction.
Monday arrived and the pairings were set. Miles was in a group with some of his favorite golfing friends which would make for a fun day if nothing else. The thing about golf is everyone is in it together. It turns into family through the years as you advance, compete, and get to know each other. You hear cheers erupt throughout the day on the course from great shots. You're all grinding together, even though you're trying to beat your opponents. It's awful and exciting all rolled into one!
Miles woke up that morning and felt awful. Although he had a great attitude and started out with a birdie and par, the day went sideways quick. You could tell he didn't have his strength. His shots weren't long like usual, and he seemed very exhausted on the front nine. I truly hated it for him and thought to myself....this is it...his final round of high school golf.
He barely missed the cut last year with a 78, and I knew it would take at least that to get by this round. The back nine would have to be played flawless. Impossible. In true Miles fashion, he proved me wrong when I had given up. He found strength and powered through with only one bogey, finishing with a 77 and tying for a 12th place finish out of 83 competitors.
To move on at Semi-state you have to be a top ten individual finisher which is HARD to do because Region 3 is competitive. My fear was that he might be in play off or even worse, a playoff with one of his own teammates. This wasn't the case for Miles but turned out to be for one Spartan, Brady Patterson, who would be in a 6-man playoff for one spot. Because of a storm in the area, the playoff was delayed about 20 minutes. I was a nervous wreck, and Miles wasn't even playing. I wanted it SO bad for Brady.
He and the five competitors set out for hole 18 when the storm cleared. Brady hit a perfect drive right down the middle. His approach shot missed the green but an incredible chip landed him close for a par. The hole took out four golfers immediately. The next hole came down to him and Logan County's Hunter Holloway. Hole 10 is par 3 and Brady landed it about 12 feet from the pin. It was a perfect shot on a tough hole. With the par, he secured the 10th and final spot for state!
My BG friend Marissa captured these special moments for us! Like I said, we are all a big family!
Join me in wishing both Miles and Brady the best of luck in Hopkinsville next Monday as they compete!
Congratulations to Miles we have watched him a lot this year and he is a really good golfer and a fine young man! Good luck in Hopkinsville.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Miles! I always knew you could do it.
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