Inside the Titan Tire Challenge, Day 2

Community contributor Joe George gives you an inside look at Day 2 of the Titan Tire Challenge. Unfortunately the young woman he was caddying for did not make the final cut, so this will be Joe's final contribution from the tournament - this year.

Well, the old Goose Whisperer is sipping a tall, cool one as he writes this report. It was a long day made even longer by the 45-minute delay due to our early morning rain showers that passed through Hunters Ridge.

Ashley Knoll and I drew the last tee time of the day and were joined, once again, by Kelly Godwin and Jennifer Hong, a former Northwestern Wildcat who now resides in Granger, Indiana.  As the clock struck 3pm, we were off, and not a moment too soon, I might add.

The day started well for Ashley. She made a great approach shot from 145 yards and curled in a 10 foot putt in for birdie.  It looked as though we were off to the races. But, as the old saying goes, not so fast!

Memo to the Golf Gods-if you don't smile on a person one day, you should the second.

Unfortunately, the next 4 holes were not what she nor I had hoped for.  When we reached hole number 6, she was 5 over for the day. But, being the pro that she is, she righted the ship and shot one over par over the next  13 holes and finished with a 6 over par score of 78.  However, in golf-speak, that is called a “trunk slammer”. It means you missed the cut, throw the clubs in the trunk, slam it and drive on to the next tournament.

While I am sorry we won't be teeing it up tomorrow, my time with Ashley was fun, but proved to me once again that the life of a professional golfer can be like riding a roller coaster.  She played her heart out and never quit, but has little to show for it in terms of money.  These young ladies live a great distance from the luxury of those at the top of the money list on the PGA and LPGA tours.  Private jets?  I don't think so.  Endorsement deal?  Few and far between.  So why do they do this?  The answer is simple.  Just get up close to a fine young lady like Ashley and see firsthand her passion for the game and the competition, and you will understand why they grind, week after week, hoping for that one chance to grab the brass ring.  This is my third year looping for these fine young ladies and while many of them may never make it to “the big show” that is the LPGA tour, they will take something away -- that is, very precious­­-memories.  The older I get the more I realize that life is all about memories and money is only as good as the memories it buys you.  Ashley and her friends will have those memories forever and I am thankful she gave me a chance to witness that up close and personally.

Well, that is it for another year.  Hopefully Ashley will return next year and give me another opportunity to work for her.  Again, a tip of the cap to everyone associated with the Titan Tire Challenge.  I hope we will all meet again at Hunters Ridge in early June of 2012 for the 4

Until next year, hit em long and straight.

^th

edition of this fine event. And I hope to send you notes from inside the ropes.  Oh, by the way, my autographed golf ball is safe and secure in my office at home.  Thanks Ashley.