Things could be going better

I can't believe that I'm sick at worlds. It's very frustrating.

Yesterday my body was just aching and I was really tired. I shot the second worst round in my pool and have now dropped back to the last card in the D pool before the great shuffle happens tonight, where it looks like I'm E pool bound.

I do feel a little better today, and I'm hoping to put together a decent round this afternoon at Oshtemo. Tomorrow morning we're playing at Timber Ridge, definitely the most rugged of the worlds courses.

So to summarize how things have gone:

Sunday: Great! When I left the Edge Skillshot competition, I was leading all pros. They were supposed to post the results by yesterday evening, but I haven't seen them yet, so I don't know if I stayed near the top or not.

Monday morning: Coldbrook (tight and wooded course with mostly short technical holes) didn't play to my accuracy like I thought it would. I just kind of hung on and left with a -2, 55. (was playing with Roger Cansler and Eric 'Roady' Roundhouse, who shot a -11 to end up in a tie for the Master's lead after the first round.) After this round I was in about 40th place.

Monday afternoon: Oshtemo - while I had no problems with this course when I visited a couple of months ago or practicing it last Friday, I had plenty of trouble this time. I was playing with Joel Kelly and Ken Gill (who's son was caddying for him). I shot even par 61, which really did feel like shooting 7 over par. Basically I just had a lot of trouble putting it down the middle of the fairways and I was way too tentative on my upshots.

Tuesday afternoon: Victory, Albion - I was most looking forward to playing this course as my dad, sister and step-mom were following me around on the course. Again I was having a lot of trouble with release points and being sore and tired didn't help at all. I had a nice ace-run on one of the short holes, and went OB on the other short hole taking a 5 while my card-mates (Jeff 'Zeppy' Rzepka & Rob Mertins) both birdied. Unfortunately, I went OB on 4 holes and that along with some yanks, gacks and ugly putts pretty much totaled about a dozen strokes. Ick.

Tonight Steve and I are supposed to have dinner with Kenny Lee & the Delta Windjammers.

Last thought: it's interesting to have the bar raised so much higher than I'm used to. Last year I played at about this level (not-so-hot) and I was in the top 25 or so in Am Masters till I finally put together a couple of good rounds and moved into the top 10.

[Greg Layton]

Hope you get to feeling better. I'm planning on coming down to Timber Ridge for the semis and finals Saturday. Take care.

[Rizbee]

I admire you for stepping up to the challenge, Matt. I hope to get there with you once I get my body mended. It is eye-opening to play with the big dogs - very little margin for error.

At least have some fun while you're there and feel better!

[James Brennan]

Sounds like a sucky experience, and I wish it hadn't happened to you, but there it is; what's done is done.

Hope it gets much better for you.
Lots of golf left ...

[John]

Keep you head up man it happens to every one