Grey Bruce Golf News

Andy on Tour #5

Slowed by back trouble

First of all I want to apologize to everyone who keeps up with my blogs. I have not had one since Christmas time and I apologize for that. I have been busy with family matters and have been clearing my mind so I will make up for it in the future.

I went home for Christmas for a 2 week break and it was great to see my family and friends. My good friends Adam and Amy got married on New Year's Eve and I was honoured to be in their wedding party! I arrived back in South Carolina just after New Year's to get ready for my first tournament of the 2010 golf season.

The event was at Crow Creek where I gladly had my good friend Coulter on my bag as a caddy. However, during the first round my back began to spasm, something I thought was behind me from my accident over a year ago. I ultimately withdrew from the tournament after the first round as I was not physically able to play at a competitive level.

I was very frustrated as I thought I was starting to get over the hump with my injuries that were caused by the accident. I took a couple of days off from golf and received a massage which extremely helps my back and neck. I also have some prescribed muscle relaxants that I haven't had to use in quite some time, but for now they will have to do.

A tournament was scheduled for the next week at River Hills but I chose to skip it to both physically and mentally heal. I caddied for my roommate Matt McKelvie during the day and worked on my game at night at the driving range for those 3 days. Matt hit the ball like a tour star but with 38 putts on day 1 and 35 putts on day 2 he missed the cut, shooting 81-75.

This week is a scheduled week off for the Tour and the weather has definitely cooperated for a good week of practice. A problem I came back with after Christmas was a pull hook, but after talking to a few pros down here I have found my grip was too strong with my right hand. Changing my grip obviously feels different but it is something that had to be done. Matt and I have been at the range for hours each day and I'm hitting the ball very well with the changes. We have a deal with Legends in Myrtle Beach and it is a great practice facility, as well as being rated one of the top 50 toughest courses to play in America.

This coming week the Tour stops at Brunswick Plantation. My family have stayed there when I was younger and I really wish I remembered what the course was like. Tomorrow I have a practice round scheduled as well as Sunday so this is when it will all come back to me. My parents called me a couple of nights ago and have decided to come down for a visit so I will have my dad on the bag for me this coming week. We had success when I qualified for the Ontario Men's Amateur 2 years ago so we are looking to do the same this week.