Hello Hoosier Golfers:
I am at home again for another off-week in the good, old Indiana weather … enjoying the rain. I’ve been out in the woods again this week trying to get that big gobbler, with no luck again! Although, now I consider a day in the woods a success if I haven’t been shot at!!!!!
My dad and I have been out fishing throughout the week, as well. With all the rain we’ve had, the fishing has actually been fairly decent considering the rising stage of the summer pools in the lakes. Using fishfinders and electronics have helped us to locate schools of fish, and we have had moderate success. Each time my dad and I have went, we’ve put about 15 fish in the live well.
Coming up this weekend is the the annual Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars Outing. I try to play in it each year, donating various clubs and apparel for the event. It’s one of the highlights of my year because I know everyone that comes out, and I always enjoy giving back to my roots out in Cloverdale. Anyone who would like to play on Saturday morning, May 9 at Clover Meadows should contact the golf course at (765) 795-6001. It’s always a great time.
I’m heading out to Greenville, S.C., for the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs on Sunday. I’m really excited for this week because I’ve got a few people flying out to see me play. Hopefully I will break through with a top 10 or better! I always play better when I have close friends or fans out to follow along, so I am thinking this week could be the real deal!
Tune in next week!
Good day…
CC
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
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
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.
I’m playing this week in beautiful Louisiana in the Louisiana Open at Broussard, La. Good to be back in the States after the trip to Australia and New Zealand. Still trying to get acclimated with the different time zones, food and cultures. Sleeping habits have been really hard to get readjusted.
The game still feels rusty, as it is still early in the year. I have been working with different drivers and putters as my confidence in these two clubs has wavered in the last couple tournaments.
I am really looking forward to getting going Thursday. Looking forward to putting myself in a position on Sunday to hopefully having an opportunity to come out with a high finish and possibly a win.
Good day!!
CC
Hello again Hoosier swingers…
In Queenstown, New Zealand, this week for the New Zealand Michael Hill Open. Queenstown is a beautiful town, a cross between Aspen and Tahoe.
It’s been a tough couple of weeks. I missed the last two cuts despite hitting the ball really well.
I’ve been working on the putting a lot this week and looking for good results this week. The golf course is rather hilly, but very scenic. The mountains seem to be in every backdrop.
It’s another links-style course with bunkers spread throughout and some very interesting art pieces by the owner’s son spread throughout.
While it’s been fun to come overseas, it’s been tiring, inconvenient, and the body is ready for a return to the promised land. I’m looking forward to seeing Indiana and getting outdoors when I return home.
In memory of the late Paul Harvey,
Good day,
CC
Hoosier Golfers:
Another week, another foreign country.
I’m in Christchurch New Zealand, this week for the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship. The course this week is completely opposite of last week in Australia.
There has been a good amount of rain, and the course is very green. Going from a links course to a conventional course has been an adjustment.
Last week there were numerous holes where I couldn’t see the flag on my approach shot, whereas this week everything is right in front of me. Play starts Thursday for me at 7:30 local time.
Thanks for checking in and we will talk to you next week!!!
Good day,
CC
Hello Hoosier Golfers:
I’m in Australia and ready to go!!!
The flight was brutal. A total traveling time of 20 hours. I flew out of LAX to Auckland, New Zealand, and then onto Melbourne, Australia.
The course this week, the Moonah Links in Victoria, Australia, is very challenging. The greens are very undulated, and it is hard to get the ball close to the hole. The key for the week will be the wind. We Hoosiers are used to dealing with the wind, so hopefully that will help me this week at the Moonah Classic.
The time change has been kind of hard to deal with, but with each passing day, I get more used to it. We are 16 hours ahead of Eastern time.
The game feels good. I have been practicing a lot during the past couple months and am looking forward to finally getting back into the tournament mode. Thanks for all the support, and we will talk to you next week.
Good day,
CC
Note: Follow Chad’s progress Down Under at the Moonah Classic by clicking this link daily through Sunday, March 1.
Welcome back to another year of “On Tour.”I’m headed back down to Australia and New Zealand for the fourth time in five years to play in tournaments on the Nationwide Tour. There are three total tournaments, one in Australia and two in New Zealand, with two new courses on the schedule.
The Moonah Classic starts Feb. 26 in Australia, with the New Zealand PGA Championship starting March 5 in Christchurch and the New Zealand Open starting March 12. I have played the tournament in Christchurch.
I had a good, solid month of practice here in sunny Southern California playing with my uncle Mark. I’m not looking forward to the 13-hour flight from LAX to Auckland, New Zealand. Then there is another three- or four-hour flight to Melbourne, Australia.
I am leaving Thursday night, Feb. 19 and will arrive Saturday morning, Feb. 21. The quirks of the International Date Line!
My game feels real solid. I am very eager to start the year. The confidence level is very high. I’m excited about the opportunity to have another win and finish in the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour and be back on the PGA Tour in 2010.
Thanks for all of the support last year, and let’s gear up for another exciting year!
Good day …
CC