April 30th, 2009 by ccollins

Hello Hoosier Golfers:

This week is the first of my two off weeks, and I’m not wanting them to end. Mushrooms are up, turkeys are gobbling, and crappies are biting. What could be better!?

Dad and I were setting up a turkey blind to hunt the next morning, and I think I received poison ivy! And that’s not all.

The next morning, we were turkey hunting in the blind with our bows, and two jakes came into our decoys but were afraid of our dominant gobbler decoy. Nonetheless, this morning (Wednesday, April 29) was no luck on bagging a gobbler, but we still had an enjoyable hunt.

Meanwhile, a few first-timers happened this evening. Tonight was the first time that I’ve had my Jeep off the beaten path in four-wheel drive in some sloppy mud. Also, tonight was an encounter with probably the largest yellow sponge mushroom I’ve ever found. Unfortunately, it was not on my property!

While mushroom hunting on a fence row looking for more mushrooms like this one, I was shot at by an angry redneck who apparently thought I was on his property! Walking along the property line, Dad and I heard what sounded like a four-wheeler about 200 yards into the woods coming our way. As the engine got closer, we decided to head back to the pond to see if the fishing had picked up. While heading back to the pond, a shotgun was fired in our direction, causing us to hit the ground like two army vets!

I was shocked when I heard the shot being fired! So we continued to tread our way through the woods back to the pond. After recovering from our adrenaline high, thankfully the rednecks left the territory and we made it home unscathed.

Glad I’m still alive to write more fun and interesting blogs! Tune in next week. Hopefully I’m still in one piece!

Good day…

CC

April 22nd, 2009 by ccollins

Hello Hoosier Golfers:

In Valdosta, Ga., for the Nationwide Tour event this week. Looking to bounce back in a big way after missing the cut last week by a shot. The course this week is in very good shape and was designed by Davis Love III.

My game is in very good shape except for the driver. I plan on spending a bunch of time on the range this week and working with the big stick!!!

I picked up a new Odyssey putter last week that I have nicknamed “The Fang.” It puts a great roll on the ball and has really uplifted my confidence on the short grass. I had five one-putts of over 20 feet last Thursday. Isn’t it ironic that when you figure out one part of your game, the other parts start to waver? What a game!!!!

This golf course is very generous off the tee, but lengthy. As I mentioned earlier, the course is in great shape and seems to be manicured very well.

Looking forward to the two-week break after this week’s tournament. Plenty of mushroom hunting, turkey hunting and fishing to be done. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and be sunny and warm. Thanks for your continued support, and hopefully this week will bring good results. Until next time…

Good day,

CC

Note: Click here to follow Chad online in the South Georgia Classic starting Thursday, April 23.

April 15th, 2009 by ccollins

Hoosier golfers and race fans:

This past week at home really had a spring feeling! The grass was starting to show signs of green patches, and the trees were already starting to bloom. Granted, there were some cold days that were typical of early spring weather, but nonetheless a pleasant off week!

Dad and I took my bass boat out to Racoon Lake and did some crappie fishing early on in the week. We had some decent luck off of fallen trees and rock ledges, drop-shotting with curly chartreuse curly-tailed Mister Twisters tipped with minnows, and minnows ‘n bobbers. We ended up putting about a dozen nice crappies in the live well to take home and fillet.

The Masters! By far my favorite tournament to watch and some day win! I was really pulling for Kenny Perry coming down the stretch, but that didn’t work out. I had lunch in the locker room with Kenny last year on tour at Torrey Pines, and he was very nice and cordial to me!

Down in Georgia myself for tournaments the next two weeks. Athens this week, and then down to Valdosta for next week. With some hard work on the greens this week and lots of time spent grooving my stroke once again, I look forward to some high finishes, if not a win, shortly!

Thanks for following my progress, and tune in same time, same place next week!

Good day,

CC

Note: Click here to follow Chad online in the Athens Regional Foundation Classic starting Thursday, April 16.

April 8th, 2009 by ccollins

Hello Hoosier Golfers!

Last week I traveled out to California for the Stonebrae Classic. I was feeling under the weather for a good part of the week but managed to make the cut and bring home some dough! The Stonebrae is a new tournament for the Nationwide Tour, and the course is only a couple years old. The country club sits right on San Francisco Bay, making for beautiful scenery and unpredictable winds.

The wind on Thursday was outrageous. To make matters worse, the greens are the most undulated and difficult to read of any course I have ever played. Mainly on the front nine, the greens are gargantuan and would prove to challenge my game extensively. I mentioned last week that I hadn’t been knocking down key putts, and this was certainly true again this week on Thursday and Friday.

I also received some good TV time on Thursday evening. Driving the par-4 number 14 and teeing off on a par-3 … I’m sure all of you serious golf fans were watching!

My confidence is greatly improving week to week as I get more comfortable with my game, along with a new driver in the bag, which seems to be producing more yardage and hitting more fairways. I also made a putter change on Saturday after making the cut. It greatly improved my putting stats, and resulted in a 69 and 70, respectively. I ended up finishing tied for 32nd, which is a little shocking considering the way I felt physically on Saturday and Sunday. I am more than ready to make the trip home and get well again.

Due to the way I feel, I am greatly excited to recharge my batteries on my off week at home and to prepare to leave for Georgia for two weeks for the next set of tournaments. Look forward to chatting with you next week.

Good day,

CC

April 1st, 2009 by ccollins

Hello Hoosier golf fans:

Last week, the Chitimacha Louisiana Open was the first Nationwide Tour event in the U.S. this season. I was so psyched to be back Stateside that I busted out with my second top 25 of the year.

I finished tied for 23rd with a Sunday round of 70, 1 under. Although I finished decently, I was actually not even close to the top of my game. I missed fairways right and left, and was struggling with my putter.

Unfortunately, I cannot blame my poor putting on the greens. The greens were in great shape and set up well for my game. I just wasn’t dropping the ones that counted.

I’m feeling really optimistic heading into this week’s tournament in San Francisco. With a T13 finish in the last New Zealand tournament and now a top 25 in Louisiana, my mind is in a good place for another good finish.

I spent a good portion of my time in Louisiana out on the driving range and on the practice green. I’m still trying to shake the dust off from the offseason. I’ve also been tinkering with a new driver and hopefully will be straightening out off the tee.

If everything comes together like it should, I will be climbing up the money list on my way back to the Big Tour.

Then, after this week in San Francisco, I will head home for another week off. I am looking forward to some good fishing and some relaxation. Hopefully, I will be able to make it out to Brickyard Crossing for my second round there of the year.

I was out at the Brickyard for the St. Patrick’s Day ‘Pay the Temp’ event on the course’s opening day. It was fun to get out on the course when not really practicing or competing, and the weather was awesome.

I somehow managed to make my morning tee time even though I had just flown in from New Zealand at midnight the night before. An 18-hour time difference can cause some serious jet lag, but I didn’t want to miss out on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities! I ended up being paired with A.J. Foyt IV and his friend Luke, and there was some friendly competition on the back nine. Ha ha. It was an all-around good time.

Thank you for your support, and check in next week!

Good day,

CC

Note: You can follow Chad during every shot this weekend at the Stonebrae Classic by clicking here.