Recapping swing # 2 through Arkansas & Oklahoma
Weeks 9 and 10 on the Annika Women’s All Pro Tour just wrapped up with two more tournaments in the Southeast. Here’s the low down:
Texarkana Children Charities Open
The two week stretch started with a long travel day into Tulsa International Airport, followed by a 5 hour drive (with way too much wildlife and excitement, including turkey vultures and snakes in the road) to Texarkana, Arkansas. The Texarkana Children Charities Open started with a clinic for local kids and special needs adults. We had a great time showing the participants the ins and outs of a golf swing and hanging out on the range.
The four day tournament kicked off on Wednesday, July 9 and it was HOT. I was lucky to have a very early tee time. My first round was pretty steady. I had one birdie and one bogey on the front and two of each on the back, finishing with a birdie on 18 for an even par 72. Round 2 was a late start on 10 and it was also steady, turning at even and bogeying number 7 (my 16th hole since I started on the back) for one over. My third and fourth rounds were both early tee times off #1. I played consistently and was one over again in my third round, and two over in my final round, finishing T17.
Stopover on the way to Muskogee
Once we wrapped up Saturday afternoon, we drove a portion of the four-hour drive to Muskogee. A friend on the tour invited us to stay at her family’s cabin, which was on the way. About eight of us spent a fun day and a half relaxing before continuing on our way to Muskogee for the Real Okie Championship at Muskogee Golf Club.
Pro Am and Practice
Olivia and I were able to stay with our family who hosted us previously, in Broken Arrow, about 40 minutes from Muskogee. It was a bit of a commute, but we really enjoy staying there, especially since our host mom makes the most delicious (and nutritious) meals. After our practice round on Monday, we visited the Oklahoma Aquarium, which was a fun way to beat the heat for a couple hours. Tuesday, I played in the Pro Am and Wednesday we were back on the course for Round 1. I started with birdies on 1 and 3, had bogeys on 9 and 13, and then ended my round birdie/bogey for even par 71. That 18th hole was really tough all week.
For Round 2, I was off #10 at 12:44 p.m. The weather as very warm, but I played very well, carding 8 birdies and a bogey for a 7 under 64. It was a fun round and I learned later that it was a course record (along with Lauren Nguyen, who also had a 64 that day.) That didn’t hold up very long though, because Rylee Suttor went out the final day and shot a 62!
Rounds 3 & 4
I was 2 under through 17 in my third round, but had an unfortunate double bogey on 18, to finish even par. During round 4, I had all pars. There were a few birdie putts that should have gone in, but I also made some good par saves, so all in all, it was a solid tournament, with a T12 finish.
I arrived back in San Diego Saturday night and was really happy to see the ocean again. I have a week before I head to my next tournament, which is in Denver. The Annika WAPT season is winding down, with just three tournaments left – Denver, Abilene and the season championship in Wichita. They are spread out over the next two months and I’ll be back in Oregon to play in the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic in Pendleton on the Epson Tour Aug 15-17. I earned an exemption when I won my tournament in Illinois.
While I am home in San Diego, I plan to get some practice in, see some friends and rest up for the next big travel week.
