Tom Gandy August Update
Tom Gandy shares his experience of playing non-stop golf at various events this season.
It’s been a little while since I wrote to you, been non-stop on the golf front at my end with the season flying by!
Thankfully I’ve got some good results and generally improved form to write about.
Over the last few months I’ve started to see scores reflect the work I had been putting in for quite some time.
Going back to mid-July, I started to see signs at Studley Wood which is typically a very low scoring course. I played solid for three days and managed a tied 16th place finish.
Then on to the Clutch Tour’s ‘Major’ - an event with over 200 players in the field for double the usual prize money at Slaley Hall, near Newcastle. It’s typically a strong golf course and one that, for my first time there, I found suited my game. I played solidly all week without really feeling on top form and after bogeying two of my last three holes I found myself in a tie for 13th place. Again another solid week and plenty of proof I’m on the right path!
From there my next event was in mid-August at St Mellion, possibly the hardest in-land golf course in the UK. I was in a good position heading in to the final round, in the top 10. I tee’d off in heavy rain and winds and after a few early bogies it was looking like a long and tough day, but I stuck to my guns, committing to my processes and trying to just continue to hit good shots. I’m very happy to say I battled back well. With no idea of the scores I came to the last hole, a very difficult double dog leg long par 4 with the flag tucked in the back left corner of the green with water short. I hit a great shot in but unfortunately a little long of the green. I fancied the chip shot, read it like a putt and played it well, watching it roll down and fall in the cup. At the time my playing partners and I, one of whom I travel with and house share with every week, celebrated as they felt my score might be enough to win the event! It turned out I only finished 4th, but still great progress again.
Since then I’ve managed 43rd place at Manning’s Heath and last week a double bogey on my last hole saw me drop from 7th position to finish in 20th at Frilford Heath.
I hope you all had a great summer and for those who play golf, that your golf is treating you well!