[golfgnome]

Thanks to everyone for their support during the week. Your questions are very good and I hope to answer them either in this post or separately. I think that this thread may have taken a negative turn (mostly my fault) and I want to make sure that everyone understands how much fun I had this week.

The postives far outweigh the negatives and as I look back I was very blessed to have this opportunity. This week was very similar to last year's Nationwide event in Valdosta except I got the better end of the draw last year. We battled severe wind the last round and a half last year and I fared worse. I feel I was actually more prepared, knew the course better, and was playing better than before Valdosta, you simply can't fight mother nature.

I had a great time doing what I love most: playing competative golf while increasing my knowlege base so I can help others. As much as I feel that I can play at this level, I must also remember what I am, a teaching professional and clubfitter. After watching some of the best players in the world I really see that the line is not so big, but the amount of strength required to jump over it is immense. The PGA TOUR is not about ball striking, although it does play a major role. I watched these players on the range and said "I can do that." You must be able to get the ball in the hole regardless of how well you hit it. Brad Adamonis and Tommy Gainey hit the ball poorly yet still found a way to save par and make birdies and eagles.

I was concearned about my distance, especially off the tee. After playing and watching the leaderboard I now realize that I could hit it a few yards farther off the tee but the real key to success is from inside 50 yards. I remember posting this last year after Valdosta but it really rings true now. If I had been able to convert what now look like simple saves around the green and make the putts that those guys make more regularly, I actually would have made the cut, regardless of the weather.

Putting has been my issue for a long time and what happened this week unfortunately is more "normal". Just missing is great to talk about, but in the end they still miss. Bill Parcells has said that "you are what your record says you are". I am still a great player that needs a better short game to compete at this level.

Making the cut would have been great; having a chance to win with 9 to play would have been even better. Nothing that happened this week can take away from the experience that I had. I had my family fly in from Cleveland, OH and Las vegas. I had so many friends come out to support me that I felt like I had my own gallery. I got to help Augie learn about what life was like inside the ropes so he can gain a better perspective on how to "play golf". My best friend Chris carried the bag and gave me support the entire time regardless of the situation; I can never thank him enough. Lynn and I got to share with the LBG crew a few cool moments of life on the TOUR. Most importantly I got to share the week with my wife and son. Their love and support is ultimately what matters.

I now turn my focus to the PGA National Championship at Reynolds Plantation in June. What I learned this week will definitely help me with my ultimate goal: win the National Championship and play in the PGA Championship in August.