Scenes from a Golf Course

Maybe not just ANY golf course. These were taken at Whistling Straits in Kohler (where the PGA Championship has been held twice). Parker has had the privilege of playing there 4 times, the first time he was only 14 years old. The course is FAMOUS for its rolling terrain and HUNDREDS of sand traps. It runs right along Lake Michigan, so the wind coming off of the water can affect play as well. Every time we've been there, we've heard the sheep (bells on their collars), but had never seen them. Not this year!! They were out roaming, doing what they do, not at all bothered by the golfers walking among them. They don't really let you approach them though, you can get close but then they wander away---the course manager says its no loss, apparently sheep are a stinky species!!!

One of Parker's Biggest Fans....

Throughout Parker's entire 4 year "career" playing golf in HS, he had at least ONE person following him on the course for every single meet except his Freshman year playing at Whistling Straits. Usually me and/or his Dad, Grandparents, etc. MANY times, his sweet sister walked those courses too, usually in flip flops, and a time or two, she did it alone. These were taken at his final trip to WS, it was FINALLY a nice day weather-wise and she got sunburned nicely. At most of the holes she "acted" out what was written on the sign. She's just the first in a long line of goofy kids that I've birthed....

So Pretty.....

These next few pictures were taken on one hole at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells at the Sectional meet that Platteville (led by the #1 golfer you all know and love) qualified for as a team. You tee off from atop a big hill that looks out over a huge basin that is flanked by lush foliage (this was before the height of the drought we experienced this summer). Lush green growth that will eat your pretty white golf ball in a New York minute! Which is exactly what happened to Parker's tee shot. When you're a part of the gallery, one of your roles is to look for errant balls---no matter who hit them! Unfortunately, despite a tremendous effort in searching, we did not find his ball and he had to truck back up that hill and hit another ball =(

Golf: the College Years!

Sounds like a bad "Saved by the Bell" pun, my apologies =) Before I catch ya'll up on what you missed out on during my unexpected blogging hiatus, I'll keep you up to speed on what's going on now!
Parker is playing golf for his college team, the Clarke Crusaders. (He had been planning on attending UWP, and then VERY last minute, this opportunity presented itself) Momma is still following him hole by hole, camera in hand, whenever possible. It's a little strange to see him in yellow and navy when its always been maroon and white!
Anyhow, he had a 2 day tournament this past weekend, and here's a few highlights...

2011 Golf Season Recap...

Our young golfer had a TREMENDOUS season this year! He added to his letter and scrapbook =) The highlights:
Won PHS Masters--trophy
Won PHS match play--trophy
Won his match in the Southwest Cup, playing in the #2 spot for the entire conference--medal
Conference medalist with a 74, blowing the field away
First team all-conference--medal
PHS MVP--wall plaque
PHS lowest season average--name engraved on a trophy that stays at school
Top 10 medalist at the Springs invitational--medal
Top PHS score for all but one mini-meet
And a TON of ink in the local newspaper.
SO proud of Parker =)

When Arielle gets the camera...

Parker had his Regional golf meet yesterday (he had a great day, BTW---the whole team is advancing to Sectionals, but if they weren't Parker would be moving on as an individual!). His favorite sister came out to watch (and brought along a friend again---the more fans following Parker, the better!). She occasionally asks to "see my camera" which means I do a lot of deleting when she's not looking! But I did keep a few from yesterday.

Whistling Straits

If you know even a tiny bit about golf, you know that here in Wisconsin we've got this course known as Whistling Straits. Kind of a big deal. The US Open was held here again this past August---like with ALL the big golf names present.
For the 3rd year in a row, Parker has been lucky enough to play golf here. Last year it was FLIPPING cold (like Momma wore a winter coat and a fuzzy hat complete with earflaps) and this year we had to endure rain--to the point that they decided to only play 9 holes (and after the last group was in, the rain cleared, UGH). Since you've seen LOTS of golfing pics of my favorite young golfer (conference champion, did I mention that? First team all conference, did I slip that in somewhere?) these are just some shots of our day at WS with no swinging clubs in sight...

Conference Medalist!!!!

The 2011 SWC conference meet was held yesterday on a very tough, non-conference course. Guess who was the medalist?!?! My baby boy blew the competition away with a 2 over par 74!!!! One bogey on the back, TWO birdies and pars everywhere else. I wasn't able to be there, but his Dad sent me texts after every hole and it was exciting even from a distance, HA!
I sent the message to give him a hug for me and I was told that there was a line to hug him after that round =)
We also learned yesterday that because of his phenomenal season, Parker made first team all-conference. So very proud of my sweet golfer!!

SWC vs SWAL cup, 2011

So last year, 2 adjoining conferences came up with the idea of pitting the top 30 players from each conference in a Ryder Cup style tournament. The #1 player from SWC would play the #1 player from SWAL and so on all the way down to #30. Last year Parker was somewhere in the 11-20 range in points for our conference, this year he is number TWO! (and he's beaten the #1 a couple of times this year).
It was a very cold and windy day---so not fair for May 14! But my baby boy played like the weather wasn't a factor, he was amazing--one of his best days on this course. I won't bore you with tons of golfing terms and lingo, you can just take my word that he "done good" HA!
SWC pulled out the win again today, and Parker adds another medal to his letter =)

When you're on top....

as Parker is (number one on the team, in the number 2 spot for the entire conference), you get the bigger following in the gallery when you play. Many thanks to all the parents, friends and families that come out to watch the golfers and especially to those that are out to see Parker. It means a lot to them--really.
When you tell people that you're going to your son's golf meet, the looks that you get are interesting. Certainly, its not like spending Friday night under the lights in a stadium cheering on the football team or sitting in the bleachers of the school gym watching a basketball game, but there ARE spectators! Just no refs or popcorn--HA!