UPDATES, UPDATES...

Coach Garrette Mantle, who has led
Elk City to one State Championship,
will have another chance this year.

--- Elk City High School charges to a great comeback from 3rd to 1st in their second tournament, only to be denied the victory... it turns out that two slow groups with players not in contention both in the individual or team standings did not finish because of darkness, and second round was completely is cancelled! Let's consider this a victory! ("officially" the school finished 3rd: 311-298/609, however, only the 311 counted. Duncan High School officially won the tournament with a 307). Congratulations to Coach Garrette Mantle!

High School Golf is a good way for
our kids to learn the value of good,
honest competition.

--- Joby Gray charged to 3rd place after a so-so start, and, as explained above, his second score was cancelled! Joby shot 75-71/146 and would have finished 3rd instead of "officially" 6th. Joby, who carries a "+1" USGA Handicap,  is planning to add 4 USGA qualifiers to his schedule: the U.S. Juniors, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Publinx... wouldn't we all like to see him play in one or more of these? SURE WE WOULD!

--- Other team scores: Keegan Hall 77-74/151; Berek Dyson 80-76/156; Logan Gore 79-77/156 and Cameron Marcum 88-78/166. Sounds like better planning by the host team in Lawton, OK was necessary regarding the rules and starting times.

Joby Gray during one of his rigorous,
self imposed,  practice sessions.

--- Tiger wins for the 7th time at the Arnold Palmer's Invitational and for the 72nd time on Tour. By all accounts, he will now be the favorite at Augusta National where he will be trying to win his 5th Masters and 15th major tournament. We have a couple of polls on the top right. Give us your opinion (Polls results are published in a link under Elk City Favorites).

Anya Alvarez prior to her last round
of the Symetra Tour event in Florida.

--- Anya Alvarez placed T23rd in her first Symetra Tour tournament, the Florida's Natural Charity Classic in Winter Haven, FL. Her scores were 70-73-75 (218). As a caddy, I had a front row seat to all what went on, including a distracted finish of three over par in the last 5 holes of the event, nevertheless, I am encouraged. Her next start will be in 2 weeks in Florida at the Sara Bay Classic (April 20-22) in Sarasota, FL, and then unto Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Riviera Nayarit Classic (April 27-29). As a caddy, I had a front row seat to everything that went on, and I am truly encouraged by the future.

--- Coming up is "Masters Week"! The majors are my favorite tournaments, but none like the Masters or the U.S. Open. For some reason, the mystique of The Masters and the history of the U.S. Open fascinate me. Last year, there were no Americans winning the majors (I can't remember another year where this has happened). Look for an American to win it this year... Phil? Bubba? John Rollins?

--- On the way back from Florida, I met "Heath" (didn't catch his last name). He is John Rollins' caddy who placed 20th in the Arnold Palmer's Invitational. We shared a few things, both as caddies and parents. John Rollins is now officially my second PGA Tour favorite (yes, Phil is and will remain first). I hope John wins and gets in The Masters, for which he has not qualified yet.