It’s our final day here in Pinehurst and we have an earlier tee time and a chance of catching a 5pm flight back home if the round flows in a timely fashion.

Today, he is paired up with Stefan Daley from FL and Tyler Brewer from VA.  Initially, we weren’t exactly sure how this was going to go because Stefan and his dad do A LOT of discussion of each shot but we have quite a bit of waiting today, so it’s all good.  Very nice people.  The goal today is to get through the first three holes without a lot of damage to the scorecard!Poor Tyler is getting a lot of negative feedback from his dad spectating from a cart so I was feeling badly for him.  His caddie was a family friend. It’s very hot and humid today but the beauty of this course and the opportunity to be here is so worth it!  I’ve got the layout down, I know where to find shade, and if I would’ve brought an extra suitcase, I would’ve filled it with pine cones 😉Jake had multiple very makeable birdie opportunities today and it just wasn’t meant to be.  Ugh.  I happened to capture one on video. 

Jake hit almost every fairway today and somehow ended with an 82.  It wasn’t what he set out to do and was disappointed.  He truly had some amazing golf shots today!  His score very easily would have been a 79 if the short game would have worked in his favor a little more.  Not to mention, at some point exhaustion has to play a factor.

I’m so proud of these kids for what they do out here.  It is mentally and physically taxing on the body.  I’m thinking I might have walked about 16-17 miles in the last 3 days and Brian did more.  In the heat.  Pushing a cart of clubs.  Brian is a wonderful caddie!  He is always encouraging and helpful and we are lucky to have him available to do this for Jake.  THANK YOU!

After scoring is compete, the boys took a quick shower and a change of clothes and we head back to Raleigh to eat quickly and get to the airport.

I know Jake didn’t score the way he wanted this week but I couldn’t be more proud!  If we could just substitute his practice round score in for Round 1, we would be right in there close to where he wanted to be.  But I guess that’s not how life works sometimes.

Look where Cornell and Jaxon ended up (the boys we were paired with for Round 1 & 2).  Top 5 and 8!

We all decided that this was an amazing experience and if we could come back, we would!

So proud of you, Jake.  Keeping working hard!

Love, Mom

 

We had a very somber evening last night. Jake took a break from practicing and just chilled and also constantly refreshed the tourney standings on his phone.  It’s hard to describe this experience fully.  It is physically and mentally grueling and it is also awesome at the same time.

We decided to change things up this morning and try a new breakfast spot right next door to the Pine Scone Cafe.  They serve clean juices and smoothies.  Brian also drove out of his way to find Jake a chocolate long john donut.  He loves them! They were sold out but he was able to find another comparable donut and a smoothie.  Jake struggles getting breakfast down but he also struggles eating on the course, which means he doesn’t eat for roughly 6 hours.  This is why I’m also receiving emails from my dad with links to protein shakes that would be good for him and even locations I can get them here in Pinehurst! Apparently he does not trust me to feed my child adequately. Oh I love you, Dad!  And Jake loves you to pieces.  If Covid wasn’t an issue, of all people, he would want you here without question.  Wish you were here, dad/papa!

We had a little issue with Jake’s shirt being wrinkled so Brian was doing a last minute steam to try to correct it.I’m happy to report that I finally got a picture of this “watch for turtles” sign that we have now passed numerous times to and from the course.  It has made me think of our turtles at home, Buttercup and Milo 🙂I really hope someone is actually cleaning their cage while we are gone because it has an awful smell when it hasn’t been cleaned!  Similar to our clothes here in Pinehurst.  I always say I don’t sweat or smell and apparently I am incorrect! We are a literally a HOT mess here!  We had to pick up some laundry detergent and do a load this evening.

As we arrived for Round 2, we were full of hope.  To overcome the mental distress of round 1 was going to be tough for Jake but I’ve seen my kids overcome adversity before and if anyone can do it, It’s Jake.  He loves the sport of golf.  I have thought multiple times about him saying to me last week when we had a 2.5 hour HS baseball game and he said it was just too long.  This baffles me.  A golf round literally takes the entire day!  By the time you drive there, practice, and play your round, you’re nearly 6-7 hours in!I’m trying to redeem myself here and I got the entire introduction by arriving at the first tee very early!  Due to the storm that rolled in yesterday, all tee times and groups remained the same today (group is Jaxson Brown from FL, and Cornell Beans from NC).  These kids are VERY solid players.  I know Jake would like to prove to them that he is a legit player even being from Kansas, which is clearly not a state that you can play year round. 

We started out with a solid Par and proceeded to have some seriously wicked pin placement on #2 and #3.  To the point where a few of us were actually walking off to the next hole thinking it was over.  NOPE.  As Jake went to mark his ball by the flag, it proceeded to roll completely off the green and for Jackson too.  If a golf course marshall had been near by, I think Cornell’s caddie was going to absolutely light him up.  “it’s not even golf” he says.  I have to admit, I was a little dumbfounded myself!  We were going to have to rebound from a quadruple bogey already! OMG.He rebounded by all pars and a birdie the rest of the front 9.  Love that!I swear it was hotter today than it was yesterday and I was pretty sure then that it couldn’t get any worse, but with the amount of rain yesterday afternoon and through the evening, it was very humid.  These kids make it seem easy.  It’s incredible. Jake ended up finishing the round with a very solid 79.  His opponents both ended with 75.  One had to take a stroke penalty after admitting to the rules official that he lifted, cleaned, and placed a ball in what he thought was a bunker but it actually was a waste area.  What a stand up guy to bring that to the attention of the staff.  These kids are top notch!

And these two kiddos are actually in the top 15 of the tournament!  WOW, so cool that Jake got to play with them for two days!Immediately after the round, we went to grab a bite to eat at Pinehurst Brewing Co. on a recommendation by Cornell’s mom.  It did not disappoint!  Jake ordered pretzels and cheese of course (this is a staple favorite of Jake’s!) and Brian and I shared one of the best cheeseburgers we’ve ever had.  We’re hoping we might be able to come back in the future.

Then we stopped by the grocery store to try to find my dads magical protein shakes (which they did not have) and then off to Pinehurst 2 for practice and to watch his buddy, Gavin in the 15-18 group come in.

I just knew that my Jake had it in him.  I’ve seen him do it!  I even wore my stinky practice round outfit again to bring good vibes. I hope he never stops trying.  This is truly a grueling sport (which makes me wonder daily why anyone even likes it!?).  But I love that he has found this passion.  What an experience we have had here in Pinehurst.  Jake, you are LOVED!

Even when you look at me like you want to chop my head off…I don’t care!  I’ve got this annoying mom thing down to a science and I love your cute face.  Always.Hoping to get a final update out tomorrow as we get on our way back to KC.  This has been absolute HEAVEN for Jake so we are thrilled we were able to be here this week!  If for some reason I don’t document our last day here, and I will be super mad if I don’t, I just want to say what an amazing experience this has been!  I almost didn’t come due to childcare concerns and COVID and I’m so glad I changed my mind!

Jake, you are a stud.  Love you.  Mom.

 

 

As soon as I woke him up he was dressed and studying his yardage book and practice round scorecard.  Brian and I are gathering waters and breakfast food.  Same order as yesterday at the Pine Scone Cafe because we are big fans now.  Jake is too nervous to eat.We arrive at Pinehurst 8 and it truly is beautiful and so is Brian’s caddie bib!  ha! This is the first time I’ve seen him in a bib and it’s quite lovely.  He’s really looking the part today.

I missed a little bit of the first bit but here’s some of the tee off on #1.  I really need to get with the program if I’m going to be good at documenting! 

He started out with a perfect drive and he’s playing with a kid from Sarasota FL and one from Charlotte NC.  Brian has already warned me that one of them either has a swing coach or some sort of professional coach watching and have discussed every hole for 30 min.  We might be in over our heads here or just annoyed, I’m not sure which.  It’s boiling hot and water is unavailable on the course due to COVID so better pack your back packs full!I was doing my best to keep the scorecard, not pass out from heat and dehydration, and check out all beautiful pine cones along the way.  I do love the exercise and the beauty of the course and these kids are impressive!! 

This is a very difficult course and his opponents are rock solid golfers.  For whatever reason, Jake is just not in the zone he was in yesterday for his practice round.  Maybe it’s nerves, maybe it’s the pressure, and maybe it’s just not his day today.By hole 14, the struggle bus had arrived and Jake had a front row seat.  As much as I hate to see my guy agonizing, he’s pushing through this and his competitors are fantastic.  He’s learning and playing with the best.

He isn’t meeting his own expectations and having some mental struggles but he’s persevering and I love watching him play regardless.  Nothing is breaking my spirit here folks, I’m here for the long haul and if I have to carry him to the end kicking and screaming, I will (which would never happen because he’s way to composed for that and I might be keeled over by then).The round finished in pretty good time and no weather factors other than heat.  He shot an 88 which was 13 shots worse than his practice round yesterday.  His opponets were even and +2. He is very disappointed and this is undeniably one of the worst rounds he’s had this season.  This is the cruelty of the game of golf.  One day you are on and another day you are off.

We head straight back to the hotel and he’s not even in the mood to practice or go to eat.  I guess it’s a good thing because a storm blew in and players are all pulled off the course and play is suspended.  Brian and I went to eat Lisi Italian by ourselves!  How sad is that!?  Don’t worry, he’s not deprived, we brought him a large pizza back.

Jake, you are one heck of a competitor, you have so much talent and I love you endlessly. Thank you for having me here this week!  There’s more golf to play and we are here to experience ALL of it.  The good and the bad.  Let’s do this.

Love, Mom

 

 

Jake slept in his golf clothes from yesterday.  The reason for this is two-fold.  The first is, he is just so excited that he can barely see straight.  The second is, he didn’t bring enough golf clothes.  He failed to factor in that he was going to practice on the day of arrival.  He slept on the couch and I covered the couch in a sheet and gave him a blanket.  He literally needs nothing to sleep.  He had a bed available to him but he chose to use the couch.  I love this kid.

We had already decided that we were going to change from the Spring Hill Suites to the Residence Inn down the street.  It really wasn’t that bad, but it was old-ish with popcorn ceilings and dated furnishings.  Who really cares…we are going to be in here like NEVER!!  And my sweet mom has already asked me if it has been perfectly sanitized.  I’m going to go with YES it has!  In my head, everything is sanitized and my mask is working perfectly.  Plus I have received multiple compliments on my mask because Morgan made it for me and it’s beautiful! So we’ve moved to the Residence Inn which also has popcorn ceilings but Jake has his own room and bathroom and all is right in the world.

As we set out for the course for his practice round, we stopped at PineScone for breakfast.  Adorable.  The breakfast sandwiches were delicious and decor was perfect.  Poor Jake found this corner and you know a picture was going to be taken!  I want to put one of this hanging swings in my basement…PRONTO!  Complete with an adorable sports fanatic, please.

Finally this boy was able to take a full practice swing today!  The range was closed yesterday.Today we are on Pinehurst #8 for his practice round and we are able to use carts.  It’s a billion degrees here guys!  Actually, it may be the same as KC but what a blessing it is to be here playing golf among some of the best teens in the world!

We are already delayed a bit and we are only one shot in and one teen is being berated by his dad for not charging his range finder.  It was awkward.  I won’t go into the actual language he spoke to him.

What a beautiful course.  The smell of the pines and the abundance of pine cones, I was in absolute heaven.  And I get to spend the day with my sweet boy who is perfectly in love with this sport and full of composure.  He puts up with all of my crazy cart driving and just flashes a smile at me and says, “it’s ok mom.”  I smile back and just do my job of keeping stats because I would literally do just about anything for this child.Please enjoy just a few pictures I took along the way of enjoying my first time on this golf course and feeling so happy I can be here this week!

 

These two are carefully looking over the yardage book and Jake is making notes after every hole.  This is amazing!  Can you imagine how perfect his grades would be if he took such careful and precise notes in school!?In the meantime, one of the kiddos in our group continues to be verbally abused by his dad and my heart breaks for him. What a privilege it is to be here this week and I want all kids to have a favorable experience.  The other athlete in our group has been here every year since the age of 8 and has a wonderful demeanor and his language to Jake is so mature.  All three boys are doing their best and even with outside forces creeping in, absolutely mentally tough and keeping composure.  That a way boys!When the practice round was over, Jake checked in for his round tomorrow and received a box of goodies.  This is the fun part!  We set out for lunch because Jake still hasn’t eaten his breakfast sandwich from hours before.  He is simply not hungry on the course.  Other than a few twizzler bites out of my bag, he has eaten nothing today!  As you can see by his super slim figure!  We stopped by Sweet Basil for take out on a recommendation from my wonderful friend Kayla, who lived here for a time.  Jake decided to go ahead and eat his sandwich from breakfast!After a pit stop for showers, we made it back to the the course for driving range practice and a run on the Par 3 course.  It’s all golf all the time.  We also made a stop into the pro shop for some souvenirs.  This is not easy folks!  We left the shop for a bag fill of items that does not include anything for me.  I really wanted a sweatshirt – and yes, it’s 95 degrees here!  I’m just thinking ahead for my fall KC days.

Jake would literally practice forever so we decided it was time to take a break, stop by the store for a battery for his range fiber, neosporin for his blisters on this hands and a cheeseburger.  And come to find out, he had eaten his leftover BK cheeseburger that had been shoved in his backpack from yesterday. OMG…he ate it!  What in the actual heck!?  This cannot be safe.

Well he’s not throwing up, so I guess it’s ok.

So it’s good night for now as we rest for tomorrow!  He shot a solid 75 today in his practice round.  Go Jake!More to updates to come!

 

On Thursday, our family was supposed to be taking a much anticipated trip to St. John, USVI.  However, due to the Covid pandemic that has escalated rapidly since I’ve been out here in blog world, we had to cancel.  On the bright side, Jake qualified to play at the US Kids World Teen Championship in Pinehurst, NC.  Brian and I both decided that we didn’t want to miss this event since it is a bucket list item for Jake.  So today, Brian’s Ford Explorer made it’s way to KCI airport with a set of golf clubs, a pull cart, 2 suitcases, and 3 backpacks for the first time since March 11th maybe!?  I’ve completely lost track of time.  Honestly.Without a doubt this is the most strange traveling experience I’ve ever had.  We wore our masks religiously and before we even left the ground, Jake was already watching golf.He loves this sport through and through. But by flight #2 to Raleigh, he was passed out on the tray table.Traveling with Jake makes me think back to earlier times of him scurrying through the airport with tiny crocs on his feet and a perfect outfit looking up at me with big brown eyes and needing my help, usually with a smile.  Today I am feeling thankful for the time that I look up at him his beautiful brown eyes and still always making sure he is by my side.  He doesn’t need my help but I’m so happy to be here, needed or not.

After finally arriving in Pinehurst, we checked into our hotel and went straight to the course for a little practice.  He could barely wait 1 minute to get there.  I’m trying to document this as best as I can you see, so we had to stop for an embarrassing picture.  The first thing I noticed is, I have hit the mother-load of pine cones here.  Jake just laughed as it is a family joke that I picked up a back pack full of pine cones at a previous tournament.  Honestly guys, it’s the little things that make me happy.  Even pine cones. 

As he met up with a friend and spent a few hours out there practicing, I enjoyed a little time reading a book and enjoying the time that isn’t spent in a mask or in my home or obsessing over what will happen with the start of school.  This is bliss for him and for me. I am insanely proud of this young man.  He’s 14 and let’s all remember back to our days of being 14.  They’re hard.  I was hard.  I remember that I knew everything possible in life.  I still do!  Just ask Brian and my brother-in-law, Scott, and my sister.  It’s a long-standing joke.  I love his passion for sports.  I love his focus and I’m happy that we can get him here to NC to play with some of the best in the world.  I don’t care what his score is (and those of you that know me know that is the very honest truth!).  I am truly blessed to be a part of this journey with Jake this week!  In large part to Morgan who is helping me out so much.  You ROCK!

After a little practice, we were able to look around this amazing and adorably quaint town, and have dinner.  He reluctantly took a picture in front of a flower pot (it’s a family joke!)And he’s already tired of my documentation and we just arrived!!Back to the hotel and he’s already on the chipping/putting area here.  He’s in the ZONE you guys.  He can only think about golf right now!And then we just go ahead and come up with some short game options in the room.  This is what I’m dealing with here folks, traveling with a 14 year old boy and his golf clubs!Check out a couple little videos I managed to capture before he caught me and told me to stop;) 

and finally he is settling in to go through all of his golf paraphernalia.  This just cracks me up…It’s like me going through my bags after an amazing shopping experience! Also settling into a little PS4 to top off the evening. Practice round tomorrow and he can’t get there fast enough!

Good night for now…