I pulled a piece of paper out of the hat, and was relieved to see that it had a 1 written on it. My heart was pounding, my arms and legs shaking as I turned around and looked behind me. 55 parents, coaches, teamates, and one irreplaceable set of parents stood around the forst tee, with all eyes on me.
I was as nervous as I could be, but felt no pressure. We had already earned a trip to Blooomington, and picked up a few plaques along the way. So whether I got first or second overall in Sectionals didn't matter much to me. My counterpart, Fazio, had said the same thing. In all reality, I think we both just said it just so if we lost, we'd have an excuse to hide behind if we lost the sudden death playoff.
As I stood over my tee shot, I tried to block out all the people watching me. But, the thought of them all watching still drove through my mind as I played out a vision in my head of me topping it over and over again. That was all erased as soon as I made contact, as it was the best drive I hit all day, just smoked down the middle. Fazio took his turn and did the same exact thing. We both hit identical lay up shots, only mine was a bit further than his. He hit is approach shot and it appeared to be two feet from the hole for birdie from my angle.
I stood behind my ball and let out a long, nervous sigh. My heart continued to feel like it was going to pound out of my chest, as well as my veins popping out quite a bit, and the addreinaline pumping through my veins took all feeling away from my limbs. It was only my conscience and mind controlling me. Nothing else was possible to get control of. I stepped up to my ball that laid 72 yards away from the target. Just a 3/4 wedge I thought. Just a 3/4 wedge is what I hit. Just a 3/4 wedge landed inside of Fazio's.
We walked up together to the green and I happily came to realize that his was a good 12 feet away, while mine was a daunting 8 feet away. He putted first, and just burned the outside edge with his, an easy tap in for par. I picked my line out and mastered the speed with a few practice strokes.
As I stood over the put, I had one thought: Just strike it like the practice stroke, and it will go in. I struck it well.
That was all I needed to know I drained it. All of my emotions and addrenaline poured out of me as I let out a yelp and a fist pump. I was just lost, and ecstatic to know that all my hardwork over the summer had finally paid off. My teammates wuickly surrounded me and showered me with high fives and hugs. I lost track of a lot of things, like where I was or even te time of day. It was too much like a dream to actually be happening to me. No matter what, nothing will be able to recreate this moment in my life, and nothing could come close. I was the sectional champion.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Regional: Check
We won regionals. It's a huge monkey off of our backs. We're the number two seed in a tough sectional. But since we're the golf team, noboday cares besides the individuals involved, but that's okay. For now we celebrate!!!!
I was in the group that was the second to last group to finish. I finished with a par to card a 76, with a 36 on the back that was crucial. As i walked off the green to the scoreboard, I was eagery greeted by all my teammates and C.J. They had figured that I needed to beat my kid from Sycamore by 5 strokes for the team to win it all. Since I didn't have his card however, I had no idea what to expect.
Since it was indeed regionals, and somehwat of a big deal, once the round has concluded we all have to sit and go over each others score with our observer. This was easy, as the adrenaline pumped through my veins, and the observer said with a smile on her face, "Patrick, 76."
I reported to my team how I had stacked up against Sycamore:
"I beat him by 10!" I was proud to announce, as I was showered with high fives and knuckle touches. I helped set up the team for victory, and the only person left was Andy, who I heard was playing pretty good.
That's where the real story is: Andy's round. He fired a 5 under par, 66. He clinched the voctory for us with more than just his final score. There was a backup on number 10's tee, so 3 groups were able to watch Andy on this hole. From 180 out, he stuck a 7 iron to 5 feet for eagle. He drained it, energizing us as a team, and gaining us donwhill momentum that in the end won it for us.
I was in the group that was the second to last group to finish. I finished with a par to card a 76, with a 36 on the back that was crucial. As i walked off the green to the scoreboard, I was eagery greeted by all my teammates and C.J. They had figured that I needed to beat my kid from Sycamore by 5 strokes for the team to win it all. Since I didn't have his card however, I had no idea what to expect.
Since it was indeed regionals, and somehwat of a big deal, once the round has concluded we all have to sit and go over each others score with our observer. This was easy, as the adrenaline pumped through my veins, and the observer said with a smile on her face, "Patrick, 76."
I reported to my team how I had stacked up against Sycamore:
"I beat him by 10!" I was proud to announce, as I was showered with high fives and knuckle touches. I helped set up the team for victory, and the only person left was Andy, who I heard was playing pretty good.
That's where the real story is: Andy's round. He fired a 5 under par, 66. He clinched the voctory for us with more than just his final score. There was a backup on number 10's tee, so 3 groups were able to watch Andy on this hole. From 180 out, he stuck a 7 iron to 5 feet for eagle. He drained it, energizing us as a team, and gaining us donwhill momentum that in the end won it for us.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Double Victory
I've never felt this way before. I honestly have no idea what to do. I feel surprised and lost with myself, and its just freakin awesome. When I chipped in for a 75, I knew I wouldnt crack the top ten of the tournament. I immediately went to my car and changed my shoes and threw my clubs in it. My group was the first one done of the whole thing so I had a lot of time to kill. I anxiously sat around and bugged my coach waiting for my teammates to come in. Brandon and Sawyer walked in together with giant smiles on their faces. This was eitherr really good or really bad news for us. It turns out they shot 88 and 87 respectively, not their greatest performances. However, I watched Andy hit a great shot to his last green and heard him say that he had to make that for a 75, tied with me, which he two putted for a 76. Nathan was the last link and he would make or break it for us. He choose to make it today, as he came in with a 78. We had three solid scores and one not so good one. Nonetheless we were the first team in and our 316 stood alone on the leaderboard.
One by one each coach brought in their teams's score, and ours still proved to be better. One by one, the big, bad schools notorious for being gods at golf came in, with ours still better. One by one their scores were written up my 75 still being the best up. Eventually only one school remained, one last powerhouse-Moline, with their stud golfer being daring enough to donate his RV as the team bus and wear pink patterned pants to stand out and get his talent realized. Their coach handed ours the cards and turned and faced us, with a creepy smile on his face that sent a few possible messages. The one we recieved was "ha ha we got you this time, nice try though."
Our coach looked at their scores let out a yelp and smiled straight at all of us. At that point we knew we had it in the bag. The rest is all sort of a blur, with everything that we did shrouded by a cloud of excitement and a addrenaline like no other. As for me, those happy moments were taken to the next level as the stud from Moline turned in a 76, giving me a one stroke edge over him. Not only had our team won it for the first time in history, I also became the first Sterling golfer to win the title individually.
One by one each coach brought in their teams's score, and ours still proved to be better. One by one, the big, bad schools notorious for being gods at golf came in, with ours still better. One by one their scores were written up my 75 still being the best up. Eventually only one school remained, one last powerhouse-Moline, with their stud golfer being daring enough to donate his RV as the team bus and wear pink patterned pants to stand out and get his talent realized. Their coach handed ours the cards and turned and faced us, with a creepy smile on his face that sent a few possible messages. The one we recieved was "ha ha we got you this time, nice try though."
Our coach looked at their scores let out a yelp and smiled straight at all of us. At that point we knew we had it in the bag. The rest is all sort of a blur, with everything that we did shrouded by a cloud of excitement and a addrenaline like no other. As for me, those happy moments were taken to the next level as the stud from Moline turned in a 76, giving me a one stroke edge over him. Not only had our team won it for the first time in history, I also became the first Sterling golfer to win the title individually.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
My Conference Luck
Tonight was great. We had a golf meet in Ottawa, our last conference meet of the season. It just so happen that we needed to win this meet to have a chance to win conference overall. Also, because of my last conference performance, I have a shot to win coonference individually if I could pull off another medalist effort.
We stood on the last tee, my oppenent being one under par while I was even par. It was a shor par four, with out of bounds left and a long pond all along the right side of the fairway that appeared to be ten yards wide. Blaze, my Ottawa counterpart, hit an iron off the tee to play it safe and he set himself up about a hundred yards out on the right side. Being stupid is what I'm best at and I whipped out my driver. My tee shot sliced, and headed right towards the water. I put my head down in disgust and looked up as it landed, just on the other bank of the pond.
Blaze hit a mediocre shot into th green and left himself a lengthy putt. I, on the other hand, was jacked about my ball being safe and hit a nice little chip shot to about ten feet. It was a daunting ten feet, with an extreme right to left break. I drained it, while Blaze three putted his way to a bogey. With the two shot swing on the last hole, I medaled the last conference meet and led our team to another victory, crucial in the eam standings.
We stood on the last tee, my oppenent being one under par while I was even par. It was a shor par four, with out of bounds left and a long pond all along the right side of the fairway that appeared to be ten yards wide. Blaze, my Ottawa counterpart, hit an iron off the tee to play it safe and he set himself up about a hundred yards out on the right side. Being stupid is what I'm best at and I whipped out my driver. My tee shot sliced, and headed right towards the water. I put my head down in disgust and looked up as it landed, just on the other bank of the pond.
Blaze hit a mediocre shot into th green and left himself a lengthy putt. I, on the other hand, was jacked about my ball being safe and hit a nice little chip shot to about ten feet. It was a daunting ten feet, with an extreme right to left break. I drained it, while Blaze three putted his way to a bogey. With the two shot swing on the last hole, I medaled the last conference meet and led our team to another victory, crucial in the eam standings.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Senior Night
I don't know where to start. Tonight was our senior night for golf. The last time I'll ever play Emerald HIll in a highschool meet. It is really weird to think about it like that. I guess I peaked at the right time becuase I shot an even oar 36, I medaled overall in the meet and earned 8 conference points.
I don't know what I did to the golf gods but they were definitely pulling for me tonight. My round was pretty much picture perfect, besides a few bad tee shots, and the last hole unforgetable.
As I stood on the teem I was sooooo nervous. The thought of what had happened last time I played thole ran through my head. I completely choked last time, but I just maned up and swung. I ended up just fine, in the dead center of the fairway, about 120 yards out. As I stood over my second shot, I wished nothing more than to hit a good shot. But I didn't. I hit a great one.
I couldn't help but to shed a tear or two as I knew my last putt was already good before I even read the line or touched my putter. The pure rush of addrenaline would be enough to sink it. As I stood over the last putt of my career at Emerald Hill, my heart was pounding and my arms and legs felt like jelly. I struck it well, and from that point there was no doubt, and it dropped.
As I walked off the green, all I could do was smile from behind glossy red eyes. I looked up and it was matched by my dad who was standing between the clubhouse and the green. I won't ever forget him, goofily standing there, probably even more happy than what I was myself. It felt great to make him so proud of me, and I sure as hell hope this isn't the last time.
I don't know what I did to the golf gods but they were definitely pulling for me tonight. My round was pretty much picture perfect, besides a few bad tee shots, and the last hole unforgetable.
As I stood on the teem I was sooooo nervous. The thought of what had happened last time I played thole ran through my head. I completely choked last time, but I just maned up and swung. I ended up just fine, in the dead center of the fairway, about 120 yards out. As I stood over my second shot, I wished nothing more than to hit a good shot. But I didn't. I hit a great one.
I couldn't help but to shed a tear or two as I knew my last putt was already good before I even read the line or touched my putter. The pure rush of addrenaline would be enough to sink it. As I stood over the last putt of my career at Emerald Hill, my heart was pounding and my arms and legs felt like jelly. I struck it well, and from that point there was no doubt, and it dropped.
As I walked off the green, all I could do was smile from behind glossy red eyes. I looked up and it was matched by my dad who was standing between the clubhouse and the green. I won't ever forget him, goofily standing there, probably even more happy than what I was myself. It felt great to make him so proud of me, and I sure as hell hope this isn't the last time.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Revisit
Today we all went to my great grandpa's house to celebrate the one year passiong of my great grandma. It's hard to believe its been ayear already, the time just flew by. It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in a golf cart telling my coach that I wouldn't be at school and inquiring about my elgiblity for my meet the next day. How the sunw as just at the right angle, color, and creeping out behind the clouds and early evening dew steam. I'll never forget bursting into tears as i sat there and told him. And that's the weird part. I barely knew her. Everytime I saw her as a kid she scared me because she smoked, and as a result I had never really had a conversation with her. I didn't know her like the rest of myy family. I felt like the only reason I would go see her was because of that connection-- family. I know I'll get to see her again someday, and I'll get to know her then. I just never understood as a kid what she meant to me, even though she's barely been a figure on my life. I guess they're right, you don't really know what you got till its gone.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
1st Senior Football Game
Tonight was the first football game of my senior year. Only four more highschool games and it won't be "my" team anymore. Besides the outcome of the game, this particular one exceeded my expectations with flying colors.
Before the game, the crowd was full of energy and anticipation for the battle that was about to take place on the field before them. However, we, the marching band, stole the stage at first to run the pregame routine. When we played the school fight song, it was like an adrenaline shot to the crowd. Everyone cheered for us as we tore through the warrior chant while the players sprinted out onto the field. Our halftime show was shakey, but pretty good considering we only had about a week to prepare for it.
After halftime, I went back to the stands and sat in the first row with the seniors, more particularly a very pretty, popular senior girl I've never really talked to. Despite how unsmooth i am with women, we talked. And talked. And talked some more. I was so smooth and every word just flowed out of my mouth naturally for once. I felt connected to her somehow, and it put me in a great mood. However, that mood was quickly interupted as the game abruptly ended. I was very disappointed that the moment had ended, but felt so thankful that it had even happened. All I hope is that next home game goes as swell as this one beecause that is all tha's running through my head right now.
Before the game, the crowd was full of energy and anticipation for the battle that was about to take place on the field before them. However, we, the marching band, stole the stage at first to run the pregame routine. When we played the school fight song, it was like an adrenaline shot to the crowd. Everyone cheered for us as we tore through the warrior chant while the players sprinted out onto the field. Our halftime show was shakey, but pretty good considering we only had about a week to prepare for it.
After halftime, I went back to the stands and sat in the first row with the seniors, more particularly a very pretty, popular senior girl I've never really talked to. Despite how unsmooth i am with women, we talked. And talked. And talked some more. I was so smooth and every word just flowed out of my mouth naturally for once. I felt connected to her somehow, and it put me in a great mood. However, that mood was quickly interupted as the game abruptly ended. I was very disappointed that the moment had ended, but felt so thankful that it had even happened. All I hope is that next home game goes as swell as this one beecause that is all tha's running through my head right now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)