Compared to this time last year when I spent 3 months on the road it’s been a much quieter Spring for me. After my trip to South Africa, I had a month before my next competition and I managed to get away for a week in Dubai for a holiday. I actually find time off practice and training quite difficult as I enjoy it so much and often feel guilty if I’m not trying to get better everyday. However, as I had a good chunk of time between events it was good to be able to take a week off and still feel I had time to then prepare again for my next event. That being said, the golf clubs did come with me to Dubai and I got a couple of fun games in whilst I was there.
My first event on the LET Access Series this year was in France at the Terre Blanche Resort. I headed there after a few weeks of practice at home. We had some really windy conditions and after battling my way round and shooting a reasonable score play got suspended for the day. Due to the limited time there was to get the tournament finished the final round was cancelled, and I didn’t start my second round until the 3rd day. It was strange to have a day off between the rounds and I ended up in 25th place. I headed home a bit disappointed however took the positives in that I knew there was a lot more to come.
I had another few weeks before the next event on the LET Access Series and I competed in one of the Justin Rose Ladies Series events at Bearwood Lakes to keep me competitive. They are one day events and it’s great that Justin Rose and his wife Kate are supporting women’s golf and giving us more opportunities to compete in the UK. I finished tied 20th and importantly it showed me where I needed to improve before my next event. Long game, long game, and more long game practice!
It has been nice to have some down time between events, to rest and feel fresh before competing again, and to work on my game as I have been trying to improve my swing technically. However, I have missed being a bit busier and the extra time on my hands has got me thinking about studying again or potentially doing the PGA coaching course whilst still competing. I have always been academic and it might be useful to have further down the line in my career. Food for thought for now, as I know I am about to start a busy summer schedule competing.
Most recently I have just got back from Switzerland where the LET Access was at Gams-Werdenberg. It was a different format to normal and after 36 holes stroke play it went into a matchplay tournament. I qualified in tied 29th place however I lost my opening 9 hole match which dropped me back to 37th. Although it wasn’t my best result this year, I felt like I was making progress and I was hitting my irons and approach shots much better and more like what I know I’m capable of. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak which is really encouraging for me after a tough season last year. Fingers crossed I can keep going in this direction and the results will follow.
Next up for me is US Open Qualifying in Belgium on the 29th May and then I have two LET Access Series events in a row in France and Czech Republic in June. Wish me luck!
As always thanks to my sponsors ML Direct, Pure Spa & Beauty and Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, Rohnisch, Yumax Golf, Caddyclub and Titleist for all your support.
