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.