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Back in October I finished 40th in the National Senior Club Professional Championship, which was 2 shots out of qualifying for the Senior PGA Championship, and one shot out of a playoff for alternate spots. The tournament was somewhat local, so after I finished I drove home and figured my chances to play in another major went out the window with my bogey on the 72nd hole. Then, about 2 months ago, I got a packet of information in the mail from the PGA telling me that I was the 6th alternate among club pros and that if I sent in a $100 entry fee I would be in line if my spot came up. It seemed like a long shot at best, but I sent it in anyway and pretty much forgot about it. Last week I got another call informing me that I had moved up to 12th overall, and then on Saturday I was 4th. Now it was getting close, and by Sunday I was third and thinking about giving up my lessons for the week to go up to the tournament. I wasn’t sure if practice rounds were allowed for alternates (they are not at the regular PGA Championship) but was told I was welcome to play on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I went ahead and made the reservation. I am now 2nd alternate and heading up to Michigan, so I’ll be reporting in on my exploits at the year’s first senior major.
I feel like my game is coming around, and that if I get into the event I might be able to shoot some good scores. It will be nice to see two of my students there, Dick Mast and Gary Hallberg, and I have plans to play a practice round with each. Hopefully I get the chance, but if I don’t there will be no regrets. You don’t get opportunities like this very often so I feel like I have to take the chance, even if it might mean losing out financially. Dick said the course is very nice, and the weather is supposed to be good, so it should be a good week. I won’t wish ill to anyone but it would sure be nice if a couple more guys decided not to play. Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting there, and I’ll have a few hours to practice some harmonica on the way from Detroit to Benton Harbor this morning as a bonus. Look for more reports and some video from the range.