Already June…….

My blog, like my game, had disappeared for a little bit, but we are both back.  Golf is so fickle.  I’m sure this is why we all love it.  The only constant in the game is that there is nothing constant.  For those of use who like routine and certainty, golf will drive us nuts.  I wish I had an explanation for you all and myself regarding my play these last few weeks.  The only honest statement I can make is that I didn’t quite get it done.  I know I’m close…..but golf is not horse shoes or hand grenades.  My main focus has been relearning the joy of the game and playing with confidence.  When you really look at golf and what produces great play, it always comes back to the same thing….confidence!  Mentally I’m getting stronger every week.  There have been flashes of great ball striking, great short-game shots, and great putting.  The key is having all three elements come together at the same time all the time. 

This week is the McDonalds LPGA championship.  I’ve been working really hard on my game, my pre-shot routine, and my mind.  I’m looking forward to teeing up with confidence.  I’m going to play aggressively and smart.  And most importantly, I’m going to play with joy!  The course sets up well for me and suits my eye.  I played the pro-am and Monday and the course was still a little damp.  If the rain they are predicting comes this week I’m afraid we are going to be sloshing around when the tournaments starts.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed the course will be dry and fast.

Well, it is now Thursday, the week after the McDonalds and I’m happy to report my game has turned a corner.  After a debauched start (4 over after 4) I proceeded to finish the round with 7 birdies, one more double, and one more bogey to finish the first day at even.  The second day I was still on the roller coaster scoring 6 birdies and 4 bogeys.  For those of you who know golf 13 birdies in 2 days is a sign of great things to come.  After 2 days I stood at 2 under par and tied for 42th.  The weather conditions were hot and steamy, but not windy enough to dry the fairways up so we were playing lift, clean, and place.  With the ball in hand, scores always seem to be a little lower and this led to the cut being even par.

My goal for the weekend was to climb the leader board and finish in the top ten.  I felt I was putting well enough if I gave myself opportunities I could capitalize on them.  Saturday proved to be a very consistent round. I birdied the first, made a bogey on the second, and pared 3-18.  It was a relief to step off the roller coaster and on to “Mr. Toad’s big adventure”.  Scoring even par for the day didn’t do much for my standing so I knew I had to make some birdies Sunday.  I was hoping the 105 degree heat index would prove to be difficult playing conditions for some on Sunday and give me a little bit of an advantage.

Sunday was a great day!  I woke up feeling great.  My warm up was good and my body loose (there are advantages to hot weather).  My tee shot on the 10th (my first of the day) was less then stellar, but I managed to make a really good up and down to save par.  A putt of 15 feet dropped on the 11th for birdie.  I finally overcame my 12th hole demons with a solid par.  13 and 14 yielded another par and one birdie.  The 15 hole, this a risk-reward par five.  I decided to lay up because my wedges have been serving me well.  Wouldn’t you know it a little too much spin had me on the front of the green with a back pin placement.  Unlike the day before, taking three to get down from the same point, I made a “WOO-HOO” bomb for birdie.  My streak of bogey free golf ended at 29 on the 5th hole.  My drive once again missed the postage stamp landing area forcing me to try and make par from 80 yards out.  The great news was the par and two birdies that followed to bounce back.  I desperately wanted to make the 15 footer on my last hole (having a sneaky suspicion it would put me in the top 10) but the ball just skimmed the edge.  I finished 4 under for the day moving me from tied 42 to tied 18th.  Over all a solid week.

I’m very happy to report my good play continued to Monday at the US Open qualifier.  My total was 3 under for 36 holes.  5 under was the low score for the day.  And, 4 over par made the playoff for the last spots. 

The LPGA is off the week.  I was physched to learn our week off was opposite the Men’s US Open and I would be in town.  I decided to volunteer so I could work the other side of the ropes.  My first day I was stationed on the leaded board overlooking the 6th tee, 3rd green, and 2nd green.  It was an absolute blast.  The location and my awesome fellow workers, Mike and Richard, made my shift go by quickly and actually I really didn’t want to leave.  Today I’m on the “Monster Board” on the 18th hole.  I’m hoping to see lots of birdies and may be a few eagles.  I highly recommend volunteering to anybody that would like to be close to the action!  I will let you know if I see anything exciting……..

Well, I have to run so I can get a little practice in before my shift this afternoon.  Talk to you later!

PS. The biggest disappointment off the golf course in the last few weeks has been the rain-out of the Yankees vs. Mets subway series.  We were looking forward to seeing Yankee Field before it stops being used.

 

 

 

WORLD WIND START

It has been a crazy few months and it has taken me too long to touch base with everyone.  I promise to provide more frequent updates in the future.  Also, please let me know if there is something that you would like me to cover in my future updates or if you have any questions that I can try to tackle. 

I can not believe that it is already March.  The season started for me a few weeks earlier this year because I made the decision to play a couple of tournaments in Australia.  It was a great place and met some wonderful people.  The first week we were in Melbourne, then we headed north to the Gold Coast.  Both were great places to visit but were outrageously expensive.   A case of soft drinks was $18 and that is in US dollars.     It is a good thing I don’t really drink soda, just lattes.  And, I only justify drinking lattes because I get my milk!

After Australia it was on to  Hawaii and the Turtle Bay Resort.  The North Shore is a very beautiful place and not yet over developed.  It also has one of my favorite places that we visit all year long,  TED’S BAKERY!!!!   Not good for the diet but Teds has some of the best sandwiches and desserts you can find.  It’s your classic little hole in the wall.  If you are wanting to go there don’t blink or you’ll miss it.  Ted’s is not only popular with tourist but with the local surfers.  So, with the locals going on a daily basis you know it has to be good.

On Sunday we packed up the gear and crew (including my sister Shelley who was nice enough to caddy for me for two weeks) and headed to Ko-Olina.  I really can’t complain about the LPGA’s opening act.  Two weeks of sunshine and beautiful beaches……Unfortunately I struggled with my game at Ko-Olina.  My best play came in the pro-am.  Maybe it was because I had such great partners!  I might be able to blame my play on more poor eating for the week.  I couldn’t resist the temptation of the fabulous catering we had all week at Roy’s.  If you haven’t been to  Roy’s I highly suggest a visit.

After Hawaii it was home for two days and then off to NYC to work with my new sponsor XYZAL.  XYZAL  is an allergy medication that helps with nasal allergies, which I have suffered from all my life.  I have been taking XYZAL since the fall of 2007 and it has worked wonders for me.  Together with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America we launched a campaign called “Challenge Your Course”.  We did a satellite media tour which was fun and interesting.  Sports Illustrated Golf Edition picked up the story and ran a small article.  I think the lauch was a success and received the exposure we were looking for.  While in NYC I quickly realized my first four weeks on tour gave my body a false hope.  I thought it was summer and was snapped into reality with the less then desirable chilly temperatures.  BRRRRRRR!  Other then the media tour the other highlights were an evening free where we had the chance to have dinner with some friends and found out that she is pregnant!  Yippee!  And, continuing my quest to find the perfect dessert.  We were told NYC has some of the best cupcakes around so off we went.  After four different bakeries, many flavors, and a giant sugar high I can report sadly our search has not ended.  This means a few extra hours in the gym to counter the search.

It’s been great to be home, even if it’s only been for a few days.  Next week it is off to Mexico City.  I know, I know, do not drink the water!  Trust me, not only will I not drink the water, I will not eat anything that has not been cooked which means no fresh vegetables.  It will be a struggle.  We’ve stocked up on dried fruit.  I don’t think we will find the perfect dessert next week but, they do have the perfect taco!  Who would have thought the caddy shack would have the best eats around?

Until next time ADIOS!

Thanks for all your support and I will be back soon!

JILL 

Happy New Year

Well, the year has officially started for me with a trip to Daytona Beach where the LPGA makes their headquarters.  I’m acting as a non-voting member of the executive board for 2008.  I’m really looking forward to learning more about the inner workings of our tour and hopefully contributing to positive changes.  I’m sure I’ll have more to write about as the year goes on.

The Holiday Season was full of family, friends, and food.  I had a mini hiatus from practice but have been hitting it hard since the beginning of the year.  I’m adamant about making changes in my game this year, staring at that little empty hole and working my way back. I took to heart some very good advice from a very good golfer and acquaintance who assured me by starting from 2 feet away from the cup, then 3 feet away and so on will impact my game dramatically.  I’ve also implemented some other techniques for my game that I’m keeping to myself at the moment but I will keep you posted….

I’ve also had to do a little damage control on the fitness end of things after my lips and hips met a few too many delicious treats in December.  I’m enjoying detoxing the sugar in my body through some great sweat sessions on the Elliptical and Gauntlet.  This mixed with some great interval, strength, and flexibility training should have me more then ready for Hawaii. 

Before I kick off the LPGA tour at the SBS and Turtle Bay I’m going to give myself some competition down under.  I’m so excited to go back to Australia to play in the Australian Masters and Open.  Hopefully I’ll have a little time for some sight seeing, so check back for some pics.

I hope all of you had a great holiday season.  I’m looking forward to sharing the 2008 season with you!

 

Jill

Jill’s New Blog is Up!

Hello,

Welcome to Jill McGill’s blog. Visit often for up-to-date information straight from the tour!

Looking forward to letting everyone in on what’s going on.