We played a 2 ball and probably had a record round time-wise for a US Kids tournament which are often agonizingly slow.
Rob and I played with a dad and son who were very experienced. Daddy Caddy was a great example out there – calm, methodical and knowledgeable. Even when his son lost his cool, Daddy Caddy kept it all focused and moving forward. When Rob loses his cool I do the same – provided I say nothing. Not a word. Ever.
I have not caddied for Rob for a while and forgot his peculiarities, but was quickly reminded on a shot out of a greenside bunker : Good Out! I shouted. It was not a good out. It was only an out – was the response………
Regional courses are notoriously long and this one was particularly tricky. If you get stuck on a side of the fairway which you really shouldn’t be on (ie. difficult line in) it’s challenging to get back where you should be. Green-side bunkers protect most greens diligently and low hanging branches swoop in to break the purest of drives hit just slightly left of center.
Rob shot a wonderful 43 on the front 9. The second 9 we had a tougher time and an ugly 10 on Hole 15 sunk any chances of a score in the 80s – although he still shot his best score in an 18 hole Regional tournament to date.
As Rob improves, his expectations increase which makes him quite mad with himself when he fluffs or shanks or chunks a shot. Something he is going to have to realize (on his own – which is his way) is completely counter-productive.
