Grey Bruce Golf News

Andy on Tour #3

A brotherly experience on Hooters Tour

Jeff Myatt, CPGA head professional at Saugeen Golf Club and brother of Hooters Pro Tour player Andy Myatt.

Editor's Note: The following account was written by Jeff Myatt, who caddied for his brother Andy in a Hooters Pro Tour event at Meadowlands Golf Club in Myrtle Beach on Nov. 17-18.

This past week I had the privilege of caddying for my brother on the Hooters Tour, which ended up being an experience of a lifetime. I was able to pick up a flight out of Detroit, and awaiting me at the Myrtle Beach airport on Saturday night was my brother Andy and his roommate, Matt McKelvie, to drive me to their residence in North Myrtle Beach. It was great to see both of them, and they were both eager to start their preparation for the upcoming tournament at Meadowlands. Early Sunday morning, we headed to Meadowlands for our first practice round, which also included extensive putting and chipping practice. We were joined by another player from the tour for the practice round, and I quickly realized that the Hooters Tour is filled with outstanding players.

The goal for our practice round was to create a strategy for the tournament while creating green layout charts to utilize during the event. I have to say that this was a learning experience for me as the practice round was 100% to create a game plan and it was serious for Andy, Matt, and the other tour player.

The par 3's ended up with over 12 balls on the green due to hitting different clubs to determine what would give them a short, mid, and long club to utilize, while the par fours and fives had a focus of what club off the tee would give them the best shot into the greens. All in all, the practice round was unique as an outsider looking in, and gave me an appreciation of what these players do to prepare. Monday morning took us to the boys home driving range at a local course called Beachwood. The time was utilized to work out any of the kinks that they had with their swings. I thought I would hang back and watch from a bench located behind them at the range, but my skills as a golf pro were quickly called upon.

Matt first requested information on how he could begin to hit more of a draw off the tee, which we fixed with a balance drill while Andy was looking to get the ball into the air higher to increase distance off the tee.

All in all, the range session was a success and the boys felt like they were ready to go for Tuesday's first round of the Meadowlands event.

The afternoon took us back for a second practice round, for nine holes only. Andy explained that this gave them time to have another short game practice session afterwards while allowing them to get to bed early that evening. Tuesday was the first round of the event, and Andy had an early tee time. Our 5:30 a.m. alarm gave us time to get to the course by 6:45 a.m. to stretch, hit balls, and work on putting to determine the speed of the greens.

As his tee time grew closer, I quickly realized that I was more nervous than he was. As we stood on the first tee, I gave him his first club, told him the yardages to his obstacles, and watched him hit a beautiful draw just like we had discussed.

From there, we moved through the day shot by shot, putt by putt, which ended up including 5 birdies, a bogey, and two double bogeys for his best round on tour to date with an even par 72.

As we walked off the 18th green, I put my arm around his shoulder and told him, "Andy, I am proud to be your brother today, and you did outstanding."

With a 72, this put him 1 stroke off the cut line, which was outstanding based on his ups and downs during his round. I learned today that no matter what happens on the course, you can make up your mistakes by staying focused and Andy certainly did that today. Wednesday was the second round, and once again, we had to be at the course early. As we stood on the first tee, the rain began. By the time we got to Andy's tee shot on the first hole, it was down pouring. A bogey resulted as his short par putt came up short due to the rain. On the second tee, the rain was so thick that you could not see the ball land. A double bogey was the result.

As we walked up to the 3rd hole, a 490-yard par 4, Andy had given up on the umbrella and stated, "Im gonna have to grind this out today."

He then stood up and stroked a drive over the 250 yard carry over water down the fairway. As we approached the ball, the rules official approached and told us that play was suspended.

Looking back, the horn had blown ten minutes prior, but we could not hear it, which in turn may have cost us the cut. After a two-hour delay, to the surprise of all the players, we headed back onto the over-saturated golf course.

With puddles on the fairway, and light rain continuing, Andy walked up to his 240-yard second shot on the 3rd hole, which required 230 yards of carry to an elevated green.

When his ball came up short, and another double went onto the card, a look of determination came onto his face. He simply looked at me and said, "we have some ground to make up now".

As the day went on, Andy grinded it out, and after birdies on fifteen and sixteen, we stood on the 18th tee thinking an eagle was required to make the cut.

With 240 yards to the pin, a 3-wood was hit with his second shot, which ended up pin high embedded in the hazard. He was able to get it out, but another bogey resulted.

All in all, 5 over on the first three holes, even on the last 15 holes. If only it didn't rain early in the round. As it ended up, a 77, 72 for 149 missed the cut by five strokes, the same amount of strokes lost on the first three holes.

For your info, Matt McKelvie, Andy's roommate, shot 73, 75, 148. Although Andy was disappointed, we were both encouraged by his 72 on day one, which proved to me that he can compete with anyone on the Hooters Tour.

More importantly, this opportunity to caddie was an experience that we will be able to keep with us forever. I was very proud of my brother, and can't wait to continue watching his scores on the Hooters website in future events. To Andy, thanks for the great time in Myrtle Beach.