Ladies Titan Tire Challenge-inside the ropes

By Joe George/Community contributor

Well, it is year two of The Ladies Titan Tire Challenge at Hunter's Ridge in Marion and the old "ghost whisperer" is back for a second year to give you an inside-the-ropes view of the tournament. The ghost whisperer moniker was given to me by a patron at last year's event when I successfully coaxed a gaggle of geese away from my player's ball on 17.  Luckily, my goose coaxing skills were not needed today and I hope that will remain the case on Saturday and Sunday. Those suckers can hurt you.

This year, I am working with a young lady who hails from just east and south of Marion.  How about approximately 9,000 miles east and south.

Melissa Eaton-Jackson grew up in Port Shepston, South Africa. She made her way to the states, along with her twin sister, to play college golf for LSU. (Since I graduated from Ole Miss, I have kept the talk about SEC sports to a minimum to insure harmony on the course).

She was an All-SEC performer in 2005 and was three-time LSWA Louisiana Player of the year.  Currently this newlywed calls Houston, Texas, home. In fact, she met her husband at LSU and he too was a professional golfer before deciding on a career in the oil and gas industry. I met Melissa through Ashley Knoll, whom I caddied for last year.

Joining us today was another international player, Caroline Larsson.  Caroline is from Stockholm, Sweden and played her collegiate golf at Florda State University where she was captain of the ladies team and had an outstanding career in the ACC.  Many of you golf fans may remember her from The Big Break-Prince Edward Island series that was aired on The Golf Channel in 2009.

Rounding out our threesome was the current top rookie on tour, Jane Rah.  Jane had a brief stay at Oklahoma State University before turning pro this year.  Thus far, in her young professional career, she has played in six tournaments with three top 10s and a second place finish and is currently 5th on the all-important money list.

When I left the house this morning, I thought we were in for a repeat of last year's weather.  The sky opened up early and there was a 40-minute delay. But Mother Nature smiled on us and it was time to break out the sunglasses and tee it up.

Jane's opening round was solid and her play was steady.  I think I counted only two or three shots that she would like to replay.   Being an 18 handicap golfer myself, I would pay good money to anyone who could teach me her short game.  Hey, what I am I saying.  They could teach me all day long. I just could never do what she does.  In the end, she posted a one under 71 and is definitely in the hunt for the top prize.

For Caroline, her round was a story of two halves.  Her front nine (we started on hole number 10) was solid with a few missed shots but her chipping around the green was masterful and she made the turn in good shape. On the back nine, a few missed shots here and there and a putter that just would not cooperate gave her a round of 5 over 77.

As for Melissa, I think it is safe to say that she was a bit disappointed.  As anyone who plays golf knows, some days your "A" game is just not there, no matter how hard you try.

And let me tell you, Melissa tried as hard as she could!  Having a son who plays golf at the collegiate level, I have watched many tournaments and, as many of you know, I have had the opportunity to caddy at a high level in the past.

What impresses me time and time again about players like Melissa is their fierce determination to never ever give up. But what impressed me the most about her was her grace under pressure.  Her 6 over par round was far from what she expected when the day began but I can tell you that  she got everything out of the round that she could.  The putts were not falling and there were some shots that hurt but throughout the entire 5-plus hour round, she always had her radiant smile visible and kept her chin up. You would have never known if she was 6 over or 6 under par. She is a class act and I am fortunate to be working with her this week.

Finally, she did what so many hacker can never seem to do. She played the course in front of her, not the one behind her.  In golf-speak, she grinded and grinded hard.  She and I both know that tomorrow is another day and when I left her, she was hard at work on the practice tee.  My money is on a very good round for Melissa tomorrow so why not come out and watch us and all the other exceptional player who make up this tour.

Until then.

Joe George