It is always nice to end the season on a win!  2011 has been a busy year that included bookend victories. (my only two of the year!) Making it through the local round of qualifying for the U.S. Open was a great experience and I cannot wait to give it another run next year.  This summer included a move to Louisville for a job at Hunting Creek Country Club that has helped Joni and I get closer to her family and significantly cut down on travel for the both of us.  We are both excited for the off season for some much needed time off!  This winter I will be staying in Louisville for work and am very excited about some swing changes that I am making.  My goal is to get my body in better shape and get my swing more technically sound so that I can still play good golf even when I do not have a great deal of time to practice.  The early part of my playing schedule next year will again include the U.S. Open qualifier, which will hopefully lead to a trip to Calli!  Thank you everybody for your support through another great year!

For some reason the Newburyport Daily News decided to do an article on me!  I was very surprised when one of their writers e-mailed me last week and asked if I would be interested……….my response was “are you sure you have the right person?”  Anyway, I think he did a great job.  Here is the link to the online version if you wish to check it out: http://www.newburyportnews.com/sports/x614899718/Amesburys-Wollitz-learns-from-experience-at-US-Open-qualifier

Yesterday was the final stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open.   Our site had 34 guys for 2 spots and the field consisted of 3 top 100 players in the world!  I was certainly nervous as the day started but my ball striking was terrific all day.  I hit 31 of 36 greens in regulation and drove the ball well for all but one hole.  My putter on the other hand was as cold as it had been hot in the local qualifier.  I was timid on the greens all day and after a double bogey in my morning round and a triple on my 27th hole of the day I knew I was out of it.  It took everything I had to keep my mind in the game after that triple but I managed to play the rest of the way in at even par……2 bogeys and 2 birdies.  Overall, I had a great experience and I learned a lot about my game and how to prepare for big tournaments.

Thanks to a consistent driver and a HOT putter I was able to claim medalist honors with a 69 on Wednesday at the U.S. Open Local Qualifier!  The final stage of qualifying for me will be in Memphis TN on June 6th.

I know it’s almost the end of April but since I haven’t been “blogging” I figure its time to say Happy New Year!  I am very excited about the upcoming year as both a player and instructor.  I have recently developed a practice program called “1 hour a day to the best golf of your life!” which has had some terrific reviews.  Also, I was nominated for Teacher of the Year in the state of Kentucky for the second year in a row! (Maybe third time is the charm?) I have also made some great progress in my golf game and am excited to get out and play once this week long series of thunderstorms, tornado warning, and heavy rain is behind us.  Let’s just say that I hope wherever you are reading this from is experiencing better weather than I am.  Until next time………

After a fairly disappointing season it’s time to re-group and try to get ready for next year.  Although my play this year was not what I had hoped for, I did learn a lot about my game and what it takes to get to the next level. I love this time of year because I have no tournaments planned and I can use the winter to make some big improvements in my game. My main goals this winter include getting back into the gym and working on strength and flexibility, working on making my swing more efficient and repeatable, and improveing my fast twich muscles and touch so that I can start attacking courses with my short game. Thank you again for your support and I look forward to a great, and hopefully warm, winter!

I won my second Tri-State Pro-Am of the year on Monday at Madisonville C.C.. My 69 was low pro by one shot.  My putter continues to be hot and is saving me several shots a round by making a ton of 5-15 footers.  My driver, and all ball striking for that matter, is in much need of improvement and I will hopefully be able to spend some good time on the range in the next few days.  My next event is the Pro-Pro in Lexington on Monday!

Crooked Stick was awesome! Although I shot 83 in the qualifier round, I wasn’t disappointed with my play. My ball striking was great, so too was my putting.  Unfortunately, it seemed like my drives would land in the fairway and bounce into the rough, where you cannot score well from. I am looking forward to my next few weeks of events and I know that if I continue to hit the ball as well as I am right now that the scores will come.

Monday is my local qualifier for the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Right now my golf game isn’t where I would like it to be but I am excited to test my abilities and hopefully past experiences will help get me through to the final stage of qualifying.

This April has been like Christmas for me! I recently signed a staff agreement with NIKE and have been receiving product for the past few weeks.  I love the new clubs (you can check out my NEW set make-up in my “what’s in the bag” page under the “about” tab) balls, shoes, hats, and even the socks! My game is improving as I get ready to start a big month.  This May I have the U.S. Open Qualifier and Hooters Tour event…….two tournaments that I am very excited for!  I hope everyone enjoys the Kentucky Derby this weekend!!!