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I struggled with my ball-striking last week in Mazatlan.  It is very frustrating because I putted as good as I ever have.  Hitting 15 greens over two days isn't going to cut it though.

So I'm in the states for a couple weeks before heading back down to Mexico for a couple more Canadian Tour events.  I've got the US Open qualifier next week, so I'm always up for that.  I didn't get to play last year, as I was down in Mexico for four weeks straight.  It's nice to get a break this year, as traveling down there can be tough.

Ball-striking will come around.  It always does.  I just need to dig it out of the ground.

Luke

Back to Mexico

I've left the country. It never seems normal, but I've made my way back to Mexico. Mazatlan, to be exact. It's not my first time this year, but there's still a culture shock. Last year was a completely new experience, and I was stuck down here for a month. This year I know a bit more of what's going on, and I'm going to enjoy every minute. The weather is wonderful, and I'm hitting the ball well. I'm going to have a blast.

No good last week. I was hitting the ball fairly well, but I really struggled with the greens. California poa has always been tough for me. It's just so bumpy in spots, and I start to lose the trust of my reads. Anyhow, I'm over that.

I had a decent weekend, though. I got to go to the minor league hockey playoffs in Stockton. Then on Sunday I made my way to Oakland for an A's game. It's always fun to see new parks, and the A's routed the Royals.

I'll try to keep you posted. If not, scores are at cantour.com.

Luke

Today was one of those rounds. I hit it pretty good, I hit some good putts. Nothing wanted to go in. It was a very frustrating round, but I hung in there, and didn't let it get out of control.

Scores were low. My 71 wasn't close to good enough, so I have some work to do tomorrow.

Time for bed.

Luke

Stockton

My favorite basketball player of all time is without a doubt John Stockton.  I wore the number 12 throughout my little league career for that reason.  He was (probably still is) the man.  So, it seems like a good time to get my first win, as I'm in the city of Stockton, CA.

I played here last year, and one of the keys to the course is to keep it out of the rough.  It's deep, but worse, it's gnarly.  Different types of grasses growing in different directions tends to lead to some horrendous lies.  I've had some good practice sessions, and my driver has begun to feel really good.  Good sign.

Through two events, I've been lucky to have some good caddies, too.  It becomes a bit of a crap shoot when you don't have a steady caddie, so that's another good sign for the week.

I managed to get my US 1040 off in the mail yesterday.  Now I just have to deal with the Canadian Tax return.  I should be getting some money back from them, though!

Fairways and greens

Luke Swilor

Starting Point

Today was a battle.  I've been having such a hard time off the tee, and it caught up to me.  I didn't make the putts I needed to either.

I was a little nervous on the first tee.  The first tee shot and the last putt are always the toughest shots of the day.  I hit a really good one down one, though.  All I was thinking was "this is my turn."  I completely misjudged my second, and made bogey.  Oh no.

But I hung in there.  I had it to one under through ten.  I was actually in really good shape.  The course was getting crispy, and anything under par was a solid score.

I three putted 11 for bogey.  Then I made a really good birdie on 12.  Then I hit a couple bad drives and bogied 13 and 14.  Wasteful.

It seemed like everything that went right yesterday went wrong today.  I had quite a few putts today that should have gone in, but didn't.  I didn't go out expecting to shoot another 63, but I played better than 74.  That's golf, though, and I'm still happy with my overall performance over the weekend.

My driving is the one part of my game that need extra attention.  I putted good, I wedged it good, and I hit my irons good.  I just wasn't in good position off the tee enough times this week.  It feels good to throw the low score of the week at them, though.

Decent start.  Next week I'm throwing it all at them.

Luke

Good Number

I spent all day yesterday wondering whether I was going to make the cut.  I did, barely.

This morning golf just felt easy.  I got a good swing thought working on the range, which is always nice.  Then I hit three good shots on 1, making birdie.  Then I got hot, making birdie on 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12,14, and 15.  I made a good 6 foot putt for par on 17, and that's how you shoot 63.

My game feels good, a little inconsistent off the tee, but everything else has been solid.  I'm hitting really good iron shots, and I've been able to save some strokes with my wedges.  When I putt good (like today, unlike yesterday), I'm shooting good scores.

It feels really good to get over the hump and shoot a really good score.  I've had good rounds, but it's been a long while since I've gotten out there and blistered the course.  It's really fun.

Another good one tomorrow.

Luke

Hot

63 today.  Much more fun than shooting 74.

Uhh, Bubble

Crazy round today.  I lot of very bad shots through 12 holes, then a lot of good ones on the last 6.  Major grind, and I'm back at my home "on the bubble."  I've got to move.  I'm planning on moving into my new home "around the lead" VERY SOON.

Luke

Foster Farms Spring International Round 1

I was nervous starting the round today.  It was a good nervous, an exciting nervous.  I haven't had a whole lot of that lately, and it was fun.

I made a twenty-five foot putt on one for par.  That's always nice.  Made a good save from the bunker on two.  Chipped in from 38 yards on six.  After that, my swing came around and I played some solid golf.

I played really well on the back nine, making four birdies, and just missing another.  I ended up with a solid 70, -2, putting me somewhere inside the top 20.

I felt good today.  I grinded through a rough part of my round, and overcame that to shoot a good score.  I've been working hard on my game, and it's starting to pay off.  I love having the course for the whole week.  It makes things a lot easier when you don't have to call ahead to make sure you can practice.  Show up and hit some balls, then head over to the tee and play a few holes.  Go back to the range for a bit after.  I'm looking forward to a lot of work over the next few weeks.

I go early tomorrow (7:15), then I get to finish up my taxes.  Fun, and not quite as fun.

Luke Swilor

Back On Tour

Well, I flew into Northern California last night.  Opening day of the Canadian tour season is just two days away.  I'm pretty pumped, and looking forward to making it a great year.

It's just a different feeling at these events.  It feels much more like a "real" tournament.  It feels like we're a big deal, and that feels good.

My game is so-so.  I haven't gotten in to a groove lately, so I'm excited to play a lot of golf.  I seem to need that to play my best.  The course is the kind I love, tree lined, without many unnatural hazards.  There is some OB (not really in play) and a few lakes, but for the most part if you miss the fairway you'll have the opportunity to make a recovery.  The greens are perfect and fast, too.

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.  I just haven't felt like posting all that much.  I'm sure that will change after a few rounds in the 60s.

Luke