CDGA and Illinois Mid-Am Championship

[b81smith]

I used to belong to a little semi private club out in the boon docks. It was Indian Oaks CC in Shabbona IL. A 9 holer that was well maintained, had a nice layout and the membership was awesome in terms of outings, events, competitions between clubs, etc. It was great. But as time went on it became more expensive, out of my budget and to add it took about 50 minutes to drive there - so quick 9's were out of the question. It had nice practice facilities with a range, short game area with bunker, 3-4 pins on several tiers with the ability to walk off at least 100 yards to work on all things short game plus a separate putting green. I was competitive at the club for a long time but its been some time since I've competed in things so I've signed up and paid for 2 qualifiers this year. The first is May 1st at Fox Bend GC in Oswego IL for the 5th annual Chicago District Golf Association Mid-Am Championship. The second qualifier is for the 27th Illinois Mid-Am Championship. The qualifier I signed up for is held on August 6th at Balmoral Woods CC in Crete IL.

 

These are big time tourneys for me. I'll be up against a steep field I think to qualify for these. I hope to shoot something in the low 70's but figure maybe a score around 74 or less should give me a good chance. The Mid in mid am's refers to an age restriction on the field. I had to google this LOL but basically a regular tourney is open to all to qualify and a Mid AM is open to anyone over a certain age in this case its 25 - this eliminates anyone in HS or College who have nothing else to do besides play golf. So everyone should have a life, a job, bills, etc. I'm realistic in terms of requesting the days off for the qualifiers but not the tournament dates yet LOL. I figure if I make it in I'll ask at that time.

 

I've dedicated a lot of time to hitting balls into a net, working with the super speed system to up my swing speed back to what it was, working on putting on a carpet that I stimped at 9.5, going to the ranges on the weekends and just bought a shot scope v2 to improve areas of weakness. I'd love to start tracking stats and be able to look at them through the year.

 

I really need some new equipment but that can wait until xmas time when club champion does the 50% off fittings, and I've been saving 50/week the entire year to gather up about 2600 to get properly fit and take everything to the next level. I'm playing with irons I got in 2005! Putter, wedges, woods are not fit for me. I'm giving up major yards with driver and fairway wood. Hybrid goes well but not as consistent as I'd like, 4 iron really sucks (butter knife), etc. Just want a bag I like through and through knowing its all spot on fit for me.

 

Anyhow those are the goals - make it into those championships - play my game and hopefully raise it back to what it used to be.

[crapula]

I think you are only allowed to qualify at one site.

[oldpalchamp]

> @crapula said:

> I think you are only allowed to qualify at one site.

 

Two different events. One is the State (Illinois) Mid-am, the other is the CDGA Mid-am.

 

 

[b81smith]

You are correct. I didn't say I was qualifying twice for 1 tourney, I've signed up for two qualifiers for two differnent tourneys. The CDGA mid am and then later in the summer the Illinois mid am. ;)

[crapula]

Got it. I didn't realize there were two different Mid-am's.

[DavePelz4]

> @b81smith said:

> I used to belong to a little semi private club out in the boon docks. It was Indian Oaks CC in Shabbona IL. A 9 holer that was well maintained, had a nice layout and the membership was awesome in terms of outings, events, competitions between clubs, etc. It was great. But as time went on it became more expensive, out of my budget and to add it took about 50 minutes to drive there - so quick 9's were out of the question. It had nice practice facilities with a range, short game area with bunker, 3-4 pins on several tiers with the ability to walk off at least 100 yards to work on all things short game plus a separate putting green. I was competitive at the club for a long time but its been some time since I've competed in things so I've signed up and paid for 2 qualifiers this year. The first is May 1st at Fox Bend GC in Oswego IL for the 5th annual Chicago District Golf Association Mid-Am Championship. The second qualifier is for the 27th Illinois Mid-Am Championship. The qualifier I signed up for is held on August 6th at Balmoral Woods CC in Crete IL.

>

> These are big time tourneys for me. I'll be up against a steep field I think to qualify for these. I hope to shoot something in the low 70's but figure maybe a score around 74 or less should give me a good chance. The Mid in mid am's refers to an age restriction on the field. I had to google this LOL but basically a regular tourney is open to all to qualify and a Mid AM is open to anyone over a certain age in this case its 25 - this eliminates anyone in HS or College who have nothing else to do besides play golf. So everyone should have a life, a job, bills, etc. I'm realistic in terms of requesting the days off for the qualifiers but not the tournament dates yet LOL. I figure if I make it in I'll ask at that time.

>

> I've dedicated a lot of time to hitting balls into a net, working with the super speed system to up my swing speed back to what it was, working on putting on a carpet that I stimped at 9.5, going to the ranges on the weekends and just bought a shot scope v2 to improve areas of weakness. I'd love to start tracking stats and be able to look at them through the year.

>

> I really need some new equipment but that can wait until xmas time when club champion does the 50% off fittings, and I've been saving 50/week the entire year to gather up about 2600 to get properly fit and take everything to the next level. I'm playing with irons I got in 2005! Putter, wedges, woods are not fit for me. I'm giving up major yards with driver and fairway wood. Hybrid goes well but not as consistent as I'd like, 4 iron really sucks (butter knife), etc. Just want a bag I like through and through knowing its all spot on fit for me.

>

> Anyhow those are the goals - make it into those championships - play my game and hopefully raise it back to what it used to be.

 

Do you remember the round we played at Mistwood, pre-redesign, about a thousand years ago with Cory from Bloomington and BMan???

[b81smith]

> @DavePelz4 said:

> Do you remember the round we played at Mistwood, pre-redesign, about a thousand years ago with Cory from Bloomington and BMan???

 

Definitely. That was a blast! I remember it was about 20-30 mph wind that day. I haven't made it back out there since but have always wanted to go try since the remodel. It would be awesome to have another Illinois get together. Always fun playing with like minded folks who love the game.

[p4174w]

Funny. I live out near Shabbona and take my kids to Indian Oaks all the time, and I will also be playing in the Fox Bend qualifier for the CDGA. It's my first big tournament in several years, since I had some major spine surgery. I can't hit as far as those days but I think I'm ready for comp again.

 

Good luck to both of us!

[b81smith]

> @p4174w said:

> Funny. I live out near Shabbona and take my kids to Indian Oaks all the time, and I will also be playing in the Fox Bend qualifier for the CDGA. It's my first big tournament in several years, since I had some major spine surgery. I can't hit as far as those days but I think I'm ready for comp again.

>

> Good luck to both of us!

 

Yes good luck. Small world really because that’s not a well know place but I feel it’s definitely a hidden gem. Especially in July when green speeds get ramped up for the dirty dozen.

[Mike_C]

Good luck man. I played competively in High School and College, used to play in State Ams, try for the US Am, stuff like that. But once I got out of school, got married and had kids, and haveing a full time job, I didn't have much time. But I got back into playing in local/regional and state amateur events about 12 years ago. Basically once my kids were older, it has been a lot of fun. Mostly Mid-Am for me too, first in New Mexico, then I moved to North Carolina, which was nice as they had NC only events and Carolina (north and south) events. Now I live and Texas, and have moved on to the Senior level, but damn, it is just as hard, too many guys retired/semi-retired who play just as much as the college kids.....

 

One thing I would comment on, you say you are playing with irons from 2005, just make sure that the grooves are conforming. I know the irons I played from 2005 to 2010 would not be today.

 

Search for your clubs here:

[usga.org/InfoClubsDB/Search.aspx](http://www.usga.org/InfoClubsDB/Search.aspx "usga.org/InfoClubsDB/Search.aspx")

[b81smith]

Looks like I’m good. I would’ve been so pissed. Money’s tight so that would’ve meant withdrawing before I even get going.

[b81smith]

sad to say I failed to qualify. It got postponed until 5/8 and on a wet, windy day with fast greens my putter completely left me. 35 putts to a 83! After being 6 over after 6 I was pretty much toast. Fought back a little but couldn't keep it going and just sucked the whole day. Better luck next time! The cut was 79! so it was a hard day for all. Lowest score was 73.