What would you do for the opportunity to have an authentic PGA TOUR playing experience? Being a GolfTEC client brings you one step closer to being able to do just that.
For a second consecutive year, GolfTEC partnered with Nature Valley Amateur, a grass-roots amateur golf event developed to provide participants with an authentic PGA TOUR playing experience in a unique and fun environment. Twenty Qualifying Tournaments were held at courses within the TPC Network throughout the country over the summer. Based on performance in these tournaments, players qualified to participate in a championship weekend in October, which includes a pairings dinner, a practice round and a championship round at the newly renovated PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
One playing entry was given to GolfTEC for each qualifying tournament, which was in turn rewarded to a local GolfTEC client. This free entry provided GolfTEC clients with:
GolfTEC: Do you feel that your lessons with GolfTEC coach Darren Smith contributed to your victory?
Bill: I have been working with Darren for about a year now and I have seen a great improvement in my game. I am very technical by nature and the GolfTEC method really suits me. Darren does a great job and I can really feel that my game is on the edge of jumping up another level.
GolfTEC: What was your strategy going into the tournament?
Bill: I really did not have time to develop a strategy beyond making sure my alarm clock was set early enough. I had played Meadowbrook farms once in the past and I played horrible. You can’t see the proper landing areas from many of the tee boxes, so you are flying blind on a lot of shots. Having learned from my previous encounter with this course I just hit the ball to places I could see it land, which meant a lot of irons off the tees. I started out hot, making birdies on 3 of the first 4 holes. I just had fun the rest of the day.
GolfTEC: What areas of your game were you most pleased with?
Bill: I would have to say my putting. Darren has helped me change my putting technique and it has really helped my scores. Good putting helps take pressure off of your ball striking and short game. You don’t have to knock it to within tap- in range to make a good score.
GolfTEC: Did you know you were in the lead going into the final holes? Did you change your strategy?
Bill: I was beating the guys I was playing with, which is always a mini-goal of mine in a stroke play tournament. It helps me focus on a goal that is tangible. Trying to win a tournament by playing against a phantom field is just too abstract for me. If I can really pound the guys I am playing with then I know that’s at least three people I have beat for the day.
GolfTEC: Congratulations Bill, and good luck in The Championship event.
Tampa Bay: Doug Q. Nguyen DDS
TPC Jasna Polana: Dominick Balistreri
TPC Eagle Trace: Giraldo Gutierrez
HRT Meadowbrook Farms: Bill Nachefski
TPC Piper Glen: Randy Dalton
TPC Twin Cities: Bob Heurung
TPC Craig Ranch: Tim Moyers
TPC Wakefield Plantation: Dennis Phillips
TPC Sugarloaf: Scott Holcomb
TPC Boston: Nick Splagounias
TPC Myrtle Beach: Jason Brisini
TPC Southwind: James Shelton
Stay tuned for the 2009 Nature Valley Amateur schedule and for your opportunity to play like a pro and to take home the Nature Valley Amateur title.
