It has been way too long since I have checked in and talked about the finish to summer golf. We last left off in Scottsdale AZ, and I am currently sitting in a hotel in Bellingham, WA. Time sure flies when you are having fun, there is a lot of truth to that. While my golf was not the best in Scottsdale, I got to play with two awesome guys from USC and UTA, and we had a blast. What’s kind of awesome as well is the fact that both of them have been involved with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) so we had a lot in common!
Back to golf.. After Arizona, I got back home and headed straight up to Idaho for the State Amateur there. The first round started slow, I didn’t play my best and got behind with a 78, but fought back strong to shoot two 72’s and finish 20th, which I was pretty pleased with after round one. That concluded the June road trips for the summer, I played some solid golf but was not where I wanted to be.
Almost a month later after working, finishing up my first quarter of my MBA classes as well, it was time to get back on the road. The PNGA Mens Amateur is one of the premier tournaments of the summer and a great chance to play against some of the best in the Northwest. Wine Valley was in great shape, the weather was wonderful, but boy was the golf less than average from my end. I had not been putting in the time that I needed to, which certainly showed with my game from tee to green. It had been a crazy few weeks, and sometimes things work out that way. Fortunately, I had a chance to take a couple of weeks to prepare for the final few events of the summer. Three events remained, no tournaments finished under par, work needed to be done.
We cranked up the intensity for the last month of summer. Practicing daily, getting some great work done in the gym as well, I was very much prepared for great golf by the time the beginning of August came. Chad, my caddy, and I, headed down to Medford, Oregon to play in the Oregon Stroke Play. It was a course we had never seen, but it was an awesome track (It is the feature photo of the post). The weather was really hot, and the course was really fun to play. Very forgiving from tee to green, it was all about hitting quality approach shots to big greens in order to have good looks at birdies. I had been working hard, hitting more balls than ever for the few weeks before the event, and that really paid off. I hit the ball like a champ for the entire event, birdies were simply few and far between. Chad emphasized the fact that patience was key, not trying to force anything, but to keep getting birdie looks. After an opening round of one over, the final two rounds showed more promise, finishing with two 71’s, we came out of the tournament in the top 15 and finally saw some red numbers on the scoreboard! It felt great to play well on an unfamiliar track, especially before returning home for the Washington State Amateur in Tacoma!
The State Amateur was one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer for me as well, considering it was basically a home event. Working at the country club the summer before, I was very comfortable with the course. It was great to be back there and the atmosphere, and weather, were absolutely incredible. The course was gorgeous as always, and it was almost impossible not to enjoy the three days. It is not the most difficult golf course, but the speed around the greens is what makes for some fun. I played really great, and unfortunately it was one of those weeks where we did not get the most out of the rounds. After the first two rounds, I was six over for the event, and had played the last two holes at five over! The golf was awesome for the first sixteen holes both days, and it was tough to finish with some late bogeys, but unfortunately golf is a game with 18 holes haha.. My attitude was really solid and I was confident going into the final round but it was a lot of the same.. in fact exactly the same. I shot three 75’s for the event, which led to a mediocre finish with only one more event remaining.
Last, but certainly not least, was the Northwest Open back in sunny Walla Walla. The course had beat me up pretty good earlier in the summer, so it was great to have another chance to take a little something back from it! I was playing really good golf going into the event, and I knew I could play awesome. It was only my second “professional” event I had ever played in, so the nerves and excitement were totally there! I decided to travel to Walla Walla by myself, just to get away and really focus on what I needed to do out there. The course was still in fantastic shape, as always, so scoring was definitely going to be low. I started the tournament with three over par on my first nine holes… it is very easy to think that a lot of the same was going to happen at Wine Vally, but two birdies on both the back nine par three’s got me to one over for round one, giving me some confidence going forward. I was playing with two really cool professionals during the first two rounds, so it was easy for me to be comfortable out there. Not to mention, I was putting fantastic. The course is not very difficult from tee to green, but the greens can be very tricky. The second and third rounds I made a lot of birdies, probably 8 or 9 between the two rounds, but several bogeys to match. I shot one under during round two to finish at even par going into the final round. The final day, my parents surprised me and came out to watch the tournament, and I always enjoy having them out of course. Nothing beats playing great golf in front of people who are supporting you, so I was extremely confident going into the final round. A lone three putt stood out on my first 8 holes of the last round, but I had a great birdie look on each one of those holes. A great drive on the ninth hole set up a wedge shot to a front pin that I hit to a couple of feet for my first birdie of the day, and it was off to the races. I birdied 10, 11, and 12 after that. Number 13 in the fairway bunker, I hit a great approach shot into the green, but it bounded over the back, leaving me an extremely difficult chip shot. I played smart and hit my chip past the hole, rolling in another 18 footer to save a par and keep the momentum going. I do not go on streaks often, so it was really excited and gave me some good adrenaline to get going like that. I made a few bad bogeys on 15-17, giving a lot of those hard earned stroked back, which was frustrating, but I finished with a birdie on 18 to shoot another round of one under, and finish under par for my final tournament of the summer.
As it turns out actually, that might end up being one of the last amateur events that I ever play. I was pleased as can be with the summer golf, while the results were mediocre in some events, that is the game we play. More importantly, I gave myself a lot of chances to put up great scores. If I would have been a professional, that finish would have earned me at top 15 finish and a check of almost $1300 dollars. As an amateur, I got a little bit of store credit instead. Playing in those two professional events gave me a lot of insight to the future of my golf career, and I could not be more excited for what is to come.
I am back in Idaho working on my Masters degree now, and spending time assistant coaching the Men’s and Women’s golf teams at Northwest Nazarene University. I am also working on a job as an assistant professional at a local golf course in town where I can call home and begin my professional golf career in the Rocky Mountain PGA section. It has been a fun ride and it is only the beginning. I am planning on taking my PAT (players ability test) in a couple short weeks, and turning professional after that. It will be more valuable for me to spend my hard earned money on competing at the highest possible level, as soon as I can. I am working hard on my physical game, and of course my mental strength each and every day. My passion for golf is still extremely fresh and it starts from the minute I wake up in the morning… to the minute I go to sleep at night. I will keep you guys updated as I continue on my journey, and as always, I appreciate everyone who is following me and supporting me. I have no doubt in my mind that you will see the results of your continued support in the very near future.
PEACE, LOVE to all.
-Keynan
Romans 12:2- “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
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