I have some really interesting tournaments coming up!! I travel to Venezuela this saturday, to play the World Golf Cup Qualifier, which gives 3 spots for the top countries in the Tournament. I travel with Alvaro Pinedo, who is having a great year so far. He is ranked 3rd in the Colombian Tour this year. The World Cup is Nov 27-30, in China.
I also will be traveling to Europe, Spain to be more specific, for the European Tour Q-School, Second Stage. It will be held in Cadiz, Spain Nov 5-8 and then Final Stage starts Nov 13.
Those 2 tournaments will determine where I will be playing in 2009!
I will keep you posted!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Summer Recap
After my Europe trip, I returned to action in Venezuela, for the Tres Diamantes Open, from TLA. I played ok, didn't score well and finished 16th, after they cancelled the final round. Then I traveled to Manizales Open, where I finished 4th with -12 (68-69-68-71).
I went to Brazil, for a tournament of the Mercedez Champions tour, finishing 14th with +3 in the Itaghanga Golf Club of Rio de Janeiro.
It was back to the Colombian Tour, with the Cafetero strech coming back. It's a series of tournaments during the summer that are close together to travel. After Brazil, I was able to put in a solid week finishing 6th (69-73-71-66=-1) in the Armenia Open (event I won as an Amateur) and the week after I had a really disappointing week in Pereira, where I shot 75-67-70-74=+2. I had my game dialled in that week, I just couldn't score.
Right before the Colombian Open was the Militar Open. There were 85 pros, with only 15 plus ties making it to the weekend. I shot 71-70=-3 and missed the cut by 2 strokes. I played solid, just make some minor mistakes and ended up missing the cut.
At the Colombian Open, we found a course with a really hard setup. Firm greens, long rough and small fairways. The course suffered a lot because of excesive rain, so we had to play with lift-clean-and-place on the fairway. I shot 71-69-71-72=+3 and finished T9th, finishing top-10 for the second year in a row.
After the Colombian Open, I've played 7 tournaments in a row, with only 2 worth mentioning. I finished 4th at LlanoGrande Open, with a score of -8 (70-70-71-69) and a 12th place at the TLA Venezuela Open, with scores of 69-66-73-70=-2.
I'm nursing a bad left wrist, looking forward to my fall events, which are relly exciting!!
I went to Brazil, for a tournament of the Mercedez Champions tour, finishing 14th with +3 in the Itaghanga Golf Club of Rio de Janeiro.
It was back to the Colombian Tour, with the Cafetero strech coming back. It's a series of tournaments during the summer that are close together to travel. After Brazil, I was able to put in a solid week finishing 6th (69-73-71-66=-1) in the Armenia Open (event I won as an Amateur) and the week after I had a really disappointing week in Pereira, where I shot 75-67-70-74=+2. I had my game dialled in that week, I just couldn't score.
Right before the Colombian Open was the Militar Open. There were 85 pros, with only 15 plus ties making it to the weekend. I shot 71-70=-3 and missed the cut by 2 strokes. I played solid, just make some minor mistakes and ended up missing the cut.
At the Colombian Open, we found a course with a really hard setup. Firm greens, long rough and small fairways. The course suffered a lot because of excesive rain, so we had to play with lift-clean-and-place on the fairway. I shot 71-69-71-72=+3 and finished T9th, finishing top-10 for the second year in a row.
After the Colombian Open, I've played 7 tournaments in a row, with only 2 worth mentioning. I finished 4th at LlanoGrande Open, with a score of -8 (70-70-71-69) and a 12th place at the TLA Venezuela Open, with scores of 69-66-73-70=-2.
I'm nursing a bad left wrist, looking forward to my fall events, which are relly exciting!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
NEWS UPDATE!!!
Hey Guys!! I've been bad with keeping up to date my blog and I apologize for it. It's been a crazy summer, filled with travel, tournaments and success. I'll start where I left off last, with my trip to Europe and Africa (France and Morocco).
France and Morocco: That trip was a great experience. It was tought to play in France, because of the weather, the jetlag and the language. The course was relatively short, but it played pretty long. It was humid, soft, cold and sea level, so the 6400yds played much, MUCH longer. I got to see some great players and I realized what I needed to work on. I shot 74-74 and missed the cutt by 4 strokes, with a horrible +4 on the back 9 of my second round. But it was a good learning experience, and I took a lot out of it. Morocco was some of the same. Different courses setup, good players, tough conditions, food, travel and some more...
It was a really eye opening experience, which confirmed that I'm on the right track and that I have what it takes to make it on a big Tour.
France and Morocco: That trip was a great experience. It was tought to play in France, because of the weather, the jetlag and the language. The course was relatively short, but it played pretty long. It was humid, soft, cold and sea level, so the 6400yds played much, MUCH longer. I got to see some great players and I realized what I needed to work on. I shot 74-74 and missed the cutt by 4 strokes, with a horrible +4 on the back 9 of my second round. But it was a good learning experience, and I took a lot out of it. Morocco was some of the same. Different courses setup, good players, tough conditions, food, travel and some more...
It was a really eye opening experience, which confirmed that I'm on the right track and that I have what it takes to make it on a big Tour.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Good News!
Hey guys! I just received some great news from the Challenge Tour. After finishing T5th on the last event, I earned a spot on the next event, France. I wrote to the Tour asking about a monday qualy for the Morocco event, since I'm flying half way around the world to play 1 event, I would like to play at least two. The Tour wrote back and I got and invitation to play in Morocco!!!!
I will be traveling this coming friday and I will be on the road (In Europe!) for two weeks. I will try my best to keep you updated, but you can also get info at www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
I will be traveling this coming friday and I will be on the road (In Europe!) for two weeks. I will try my best to keep you updated, but you can also get info at www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Club Colombia Masters
I'm happy to report that I finished Tied for 5th in last week's Challenge/TLA Event, the Club Colombia Master, held in Bogota Country Club.
I shot 72-67-70-68 (-7) playing solid golf, on a course that didn't allow many good scores.
First round the course was playing tough, with semi-firm greens and really fast. I would say that they were rolling around 13. I didn't play great, but I was able to fight my way through the course, ending with only a +1, right on the cut line.
Second round was a little different, I felt better with my swing, I made some putts early and had a great -4, to move up to T23rd. The course was playing considerably softer and easier than Thursday because of some light rain that fell the night before, but the afternoon rounds (like mine) were pretty tough because the wind picked up and we got some cold rain. I was fortunate enough that I finished my round and they closed the course and had everybody finish the next morning.
Moving day was tough again. I struggled with my swing a bit and my ball striking was off... way off... My swing changes have taken the left side out of the equation, but my misses now are to the right. I was able to hold my round at even par until 18, a reacheable par 5 where I hit a good drive and left myself a 4 iron on to the green. I 2-putted for a birdie and a nice -1.
Final round started great, I birdied 1, 4, 5 and 8 to get up to 3rd place. I lost some momentum on #9 where I threeputted from 55 feet. I bogeyed #13 to fall back to -6, but I was able to hold my round together, making some nice par saves. I got to 18 where I hit a good drive that trickled into the first cut. I was 234yds from the pin, with some cross wind. I hit a perfect 4 iron that ended up 27 feet from the cup for eagle. I rolled a beauty of a putt and stopped an inch short. I tapped in for birdie and a solid 68. I moved up from T16th to a T5th.
With this finished I accomplished a few things. I was tied as the best Colombian with Alvaro Pinedo, earning an invitation to play a Challenge Tour Event in Belgium. I also earned a spot in the next Challenge Tour event in France, next week. I'm working on getting my visa and I will be playing in Europe.
Also, right now I'm T42nd on the Order of Merit for the Challenge tour, with 2 events remaining before the June 1st cut, which awards full cards to the top 3 players inside the top 40 without status, so that is my goal, to play my way into a full exempt card in the next couple of weeks.
That is all for now... I will be posting some pics from the tournament.
Cheers!
I shot 72-67-70-68 (-7) playing solid golf, on a course that didn't allow many good scores.
First round the course was playing tough, with semi-firm greens and really fast. I would say that they were rolling around 13. I didn't play great, but I was able to fight my way through the course, ending with only a +1, right on the cut line.
Second round was a little different, I felt better with my swing, I made some putts early and had a great -4, to move up to T23rd. The course was playing considerably softer and easier than Thursday because of some light rain that fell the night before, but the afternoon rounds (like mine) were pretty tough because the wind picked up and we got some cold rain. I was fortunate enough that I finished my round and they closed the course and had everybody finish the next morning.
Moving day was tough again. I struggled with my swing a bit and my ball striking was off... way off... My swing changes have taken the left side out of the equation, but my misses now are to the right. I was able to hold my round at even par until 18, a reacheable par 5 where I hit a good drive and left myself a 4 iron on to the green. I 2-putted for a birdie and a nice -1.
Final round started great, I birdied 1, 4, 5 and 8 to get up to 3rd place. I lost some momentum on #9 where I threeputted from 55 feet. I bogeyed #13 to fall back to -6, but I was able to hold my round together, making some nice par saves. I got to 18 where I hit a good drive that trickled into the first cut. I was 234yds from the pin, with some cross wind. I hit a perfect 4 iron that ended up 27 feet from the cup for eagle. I rolled a beauty of a putt and stopped an inch short. I tapped in for birdie and a solid 68. I moved up from T16th to a T5th.
With this finished I accomplished a few things. I was tied as the best Colombian with Alvaro Pinedo, earning an invitation to play a Challenge Tour Event in Belgium. I also earned a spot in the next Challenge Tour event in France, next week. I'm working on getting my visa and I will be playing in Europe.
Also, right now I'm T42nd on the Order of Merit for the Challenge tour, with 2 events remaining before the June 1st cut, which awards full cards to the top 3 players inside the top 40 without status, so that is my goal, to play my way into a full exempt card in the next couple of weeks.
That is all for now... I will be posting some pics from the tournament.
Cheers!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Challenge Tour Update!!!
Hey guys!! I came back from my Argentina trip a little sad because I missed both cuts, but overall it was a good experience. I got to travel, see what it's like to play on a big tour and play tought courses with tournament setup. I got to see really good players and I realized that I'm not far off! It just takes practice and confidence. Everybody has a bad week and a good week.
Right now I'm playing the Club Colombia Masters, another Challenge Tour/TLA event. I've shot 72-67-70 (-4) and I'm T16th place. One more round to go.
I will update tomorrow or you can follow it at www.tourdelasamericas.com or www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
Right now I'm playing the Club Colombia Masters, another Challenge Tour/TLA event. I've shot 72-67-70 (-4) and I'm T16th place. One more round to go.
I will update tomorrow or you can follow it at www.tourdelasamericas.com or www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Cordoba Open
I'm here in Cordoba...
The course is not too long, but it's pretty tight and some really well positioned trees. The greens are bermuda and they are in ok shape. Pretty slow going uphill and fast going downhill down grain...
Here are some pics from the first 2 days of practice. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053690&l=29599&id=46104209
Enjoy!
The course is not too long, but it's pretty tight and some really well positioned trees. The greens are bermuda and they are in ok shape. Pretty slow going uphill and fast going downhill down grain...
Here are some pics from the first 2 days of practice. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053690&l=29599&id=46104209
Enjoy!
Monday, March 24, 2008
TLA Season!
After finishing Second (69, 69, 69, 69 -12) at TLA Qschool, I earned the right to play a few extra tournaments. I'm currently down in Argentina, I flew in last night and I'm getting ready for the Cordoba Open, a TLA event, but also a Challenge Tour event also.
I will be updating my blog or you can check the official websites. Info can be found at www.tourdelasamericas.com or www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
I will be updating my blog or you can check the official websites. Info can be found at www.tourdelasamericas.com or www.europeantour.com
Cheers!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Carmel Open
I finished with another top 10 in the Carmel Open. I shot 68-70-70-69 (-3) on the short par 70 course. I played solid golf, but I lacked some luck in this tournament. The course was wet and the greens had a weird combination, soft and fast, so my ProV1Xs were spinning back too much. Really hard to control distance, because the ball was backing up as much as 40 feet on some greens.
I finished 8th, good solid tournament. I improved my score from last year by 17 strokes!! I shot +14 last year on the same course and almost identical conditions. Not bad at all!
I'm much more solid with overall game and I will have a chance to put it to the test next week when I travel to Weston, Florida, to play in the Tour de las Americas (TLA) Qschool. My first tournament in the US since I moved back to Colombia! I will keep you posted!! Cheers!
I finished 8th, good solid tournament. I improved my score from last year by 17 strokes!! I shot +14 last year on the same course and almost identical conditions. Not bad at all!
I'm much more solid with overall game and I will have a chance to put it to the test next week when I travel to Weston, Florida, to play in the Tour de las Americas (TLA) Qschool. My first tournament in the US since I moved back to Colombia! I will keep you posted!! Cheers!
Monday, February 18, 2008
2008 season is finally here!
I just got back from my first tournament of the year and I'm quite pleased with my results! I shot 71-75-67-70 (-5) to finish tied for fourth.
The tournament was the National Pro Championship, held at Peñon Resort. The course is almost at sea level (only 288 meters, around 950 feet), plays 7020 yards long with a 74.1 rating and a 130 slope. This means that it is a pretty hard course. The back 9 is one of the hardest of the country, having really long and tight par 3's. It is a good ball striking test, the only downfall for that course is that the greens are really slow and grainy, making it hard to chip and putt.
Fist round I played ok, didn't hit the ball too good but i made a bunch of putts. I had 27 putts. Second round was tough... I just couldn't get anything going and couldn't make anything that day. I ended up with 34 putts...
Third round was a completly different story! I chipped in on #2, birdied #3, #5 and #8 on the front for a 32, then I chipped in again on #11, birdied #12 and #13. I was -7 thru 13 holes with chance to tie or break the course record! Unfortunately, i lost my concentration and finished with 2 bogeys in the last 3 holes, for a 67 (-5). My college coach would have been very mad with that round!
Final round was fun, because I was close to the final group and there were a lot of people watching the tournament. I've really gotten my game to where I can perform under the toughtest pressure. That is when I play my best! I shot a solid 70 (-2) to climb 4 spots and T-4th.
Diego Vanegas won, with a total of -15. He played solid golf.
Here is the link to the final results. http://www.federacioncolombianadegolf.com/noticia.php?nt=21923
There is a picture of my on this page, from the tournament. http://www.federacioncolombianadegolf.com/noticia.php?nt=21891
Some more pics:
http://wichita.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2051672&l=299e0&id=46104209
I will be in action again this week here in Bogota, at Carmel Open. I will keep you updated!
The tournament was the National Pro Championship, held at Peñon Resort. The course is almost at sea level (only 288 meters, around 950 feet), plays 7020 yards long with a 74.1 rating and a 130 slope. This means that it is a pretty hard course. The back 9 is one of the hardest of the country, having really long and tight par 3's. It is a good ball striking test, the only downfall for that course is that the greens are really slow and grainy, making it hard to chip and putt.
Fist round I played ok, didn't hit the ball too good but i made a bunch of putts. I had 27 putts. Second round was tough... I just couldn't get anything going and couldn't make anything that day. I ended up with 34 putts...
Third round was a completly different story! I chipped in on #2, birdied #3, #5 and #8 on the front for a 32, then I chipped in again on #11, birdied #12 and #13. I was -7 thru 13 holes with chance to tie or break the course record! Unfortunately, i lost my concentration and finished with 2 bogeys in the last 3 holes, for a 67 (-5). My college coach would have been very mad with that round!
Final round was fun, because I was close to the final group and there were a lot of people watching the tournament. I've really gotten my game to where I can perform under the toughtest pressure. That is when I play my best! I shot a solid 70 (-2) to climb 4 spots and T-4th.
Diego Vanegas won, with a total of -15. He played solid golf.
Here is the link to the final results. http://www.federacioncolombianadegolf.com/noticia.php?nt=21923
There is a picture of my on this page, from the tournament. http://www.federacioncolombianadegolf.com/noticia.php?nt=21891
Some more pics:
http://wichita.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2051672&l=299e0&id=46104209
I will be in action again this week here in Bogota, at Carmel Open. I will keep you updated!
2007 Recap
Well, 2007 was a good year for me. I won two tournaments, had 2 top-10 the Majors, had a few top-5 and finished the year ranked 13th. I played well on my last 3 tournaments, 2 in Barranquilla and the National Match Play tournament.
At the Master, I finished 7th, unfortunately I blew my chances of winning with a round of 43 on the front nine saturday, but it was blowing around 40mph and the average score that day was around 77 or 78. Good solid top 10.
At Caujaral Open, I shot 77-75 and made the cut, before moving up with 2 solid 70 (-2) on the weekend, finishing 13th. Good comeback!
I lost on the second round to the runner up, Angel Romero. He played solid golf and was -4 through 16 holes and I was around par, so he beat me 3/2.
After my December tournaments, I took some time off to recharge my batteries and work on my swing, to get ready for 2008. I will update my swing, with some minor changes...
At the Master, I finished 7th, unfortunately I blew my chances of winning with a round of 43 on the front nine saturday, but it was blowing around 40mph and the average score that day was around 77 or 78. Good solid top 10.
At Caujaral Open, I shot 77-75 and made the cut, before moving up with 2 solid 70 (-2) on the weekend, finishing 13th. Good comeback!
I lost on the second round to the runner up, Angel Romero. He played solid golf and was -4 through 16 holes and I was around par, so he beat me 3/2.
After my December tournaments, I took some time off to recharge my batteries and work on my swing, to get ready for 2008. I will update my swing, with some minor changes...
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