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2011 Events
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NTPGA Spring Break Series Hogan
Course @ Trophy Club Medalist Boys 13 -
14
It was an 11:00 shotgun start on what was promised to be
a beautiful spring day. After a frozen February, March was looking pretty good for Kyle's first tournament since January.
The NTPGA had made some changes in the divisions (Medalist, All-American and Prep) but now each would have the same age
groups. Looking at the yardages, we decided to keep Kyle in the Medalist division, but instead of 12-13 like he played
in October 2010, he would now play in the Medalist Boys 13-14. For his first event under the modified
format, we went out to Trophy Club, the Hogan course, along with 27 other 13 & 14 yr old boys. The weather decided
not to cooperate, keeping it cloudy, very windy and cold! Wearing multiple layers and carrying hand-warmers, Kyle and
his group started on the par 4, 11th hole. We really saw the benefit of all the work Kyle
had been putting in. He hit every fairway on his tee shots and after 9 holes he was 2 over par. He bogied
his 13th hole, but then, things started looking up. He birdied his 14th and 17th hole to finish with a 1 over par, 73.
He had no 3-putts and only 1 bunker shot. We were anxious to get back to the club house to see how he'd done with
so many boys. He'd done great! Not only was his 73 the winning score in the Boys 13-14 division
- it was the lowest score of the entire tournament! Way to go, Kyle - we're really
proud of you.
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Dallas
Junior Golf Championship
Boys 12 - 13
Cedar Crest
Golf Course
The summer schedule finally allowed Kyle to play in the Dallas Junior Championship
- Dallas' oldest junior golf tournament - now in its 87th year. Three years ago, 8 yo Kyle won the Boys 7 - 9 division at
Keeton Park. This year, Kyle skipped the Boys 10-11 division because of the short yardages and it would only be 9 holes
a day. With the USKids World Championship almost here - Kyle wanted to get prepared and that meant the longer yardages
and 18 holes per day in the Boys 12 - 13 division. He was also eager to play at a course he hadn't played on before.
There were 24 kids entered and Kyle shot a 71 - five strokes ahead of 2 others. He shot that 71 in over 101 degree temperature,
walked all 18 holes and caddied for himself. The second round brought more
of the same high heat and high humidity, and Garrett Reband made a charge up the leaderboard, trying to overcome the 83 he
had on round 1. Kyle held onto his lead and shot 78 for a 2-day total 149, beating Garrett and Pete Davis
by 5 strokes.
Southwest Junior Open
Boys 12 - 13
The Tribute Golf Course
Six weeks after turning 11, Kyle returned to the Tribute Golf Course
for the Junior Open Championship and competed in the Boys 12 - 13 division, playing approx 6000 yards. It's mid-July
and the blazing Texas summer is in full 100 degree days. Kyle played the links style course caddying for himself and
shot an even-par 72 on the first day, and was in second place. After another 18 holes under the unrelentless sun, Kyle
shot a 74 and was in a 3-way tie for first place and it took an additional 3 holes to break the tie, giving Kyle 3rd place.
US Kids Golf World Championship
Boys 11 Talamore Golf
Course
The Boys 11 division returned to the Talamore Golf course and Kyle
was excited to see familiar friendly faces, especially Jay Swarup and Harrison Corbin. Jay's family had moved from Houston
to Virginia and Harrison was in South Carolina, so the only time we get to see them was at Worlds. Amazing how much
the boys have all grown. The course was beautiful, but for the first time since we've been coming to Pinehurst - the
rain actually disrupted play. In the past, we've dodged the storms but this year there was no escape. On day 2,
we had a long delay after only 5 holes, were able to get back out but only made it to the 13th hole before play was suspended
for the day. Everyone who hadn't finished round 2 had to return for a 7 am tee time, finish the holes and then return
for the full 18 holes to complete round 3. When it was over, 5 players were tied @217 (5th place) and Kyle and two others
were tied @218. We're proud that Kyle has consistently been in the top 10 every year since he turned 6. Next year
will be our last year with US Kids and I'm just shocked how time has passed.
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| Jay and Harrison join Kyle waiting for lightning in the area to clear |
Don't think the ball could have gotten much closer and not gone in.
Kyle used his 9 iron on the 136 yard, par 3, 5th hole and the ball went 135 yards and 11 inches.
| So Close |
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| Talamore - 5th hole - Par 3 - 136 yds |
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Tom and Betty Anderson graciously rented their home to us for
the entire week and it was absolutely heavenly to be literally down the street from Talamore. It was a blessing to have
met them in 2006 and they returned to cheer Kyle on, and Tom still has the hat that Kyle signed for him 5 years ago. (Tragically, we were still reeling from the death of Kyle's grandfather in May,
and we were shocked and saddened to learn the Tom passed away in November - just 3 months after this picture was taken - after
a battle with cancer. He will always have a special place in our hearts)
US
Kids Local Tour Championship
Boys 11 Indian Creek Golf
Course
Despite the Texas heat, which showed no signs of abating, Kyle wanted
to play the USK Local Tour Championship, especially since it was so close to home at Indian Creek. I was glad it was
a one-day event as everyone worked hard to keep the fluids going and taking advantage of any shade we could find. Kyle
won with a 74 and Crosby was right behind him with a 76. It was great to catch up with Hailey and Hogan Jones,
as we hadn't seen them much over the summer. Everyone was a winner that day.
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NTPGA Fall Series Bear
Creek Golf Course - East Medalist Boys 13
- 14
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NTPGA Fall Series Tangle
Ridge Golf Course Medalist Boys 13 - 14
Tangle Ridge Golf Course in Grand Prairie was a new course for
Kyle to play, which always adds a level of excitement. Playing up in the Boys 13-14, Kyle shot a 75 to take first place
and was the only one in his division to card 3 birdies. Kyle worked hard, caddying for himself with the older boys.
US
Kids Local Fall Tour Boys
11
Brookhaven Country Club
Due to an eye injury, Kyle was unable to compete the entire month
of October and into November. His first tournament back was for USKids Fall tour at Canyon Creek and he took 2nd.
A week later, he bounced back at Brookhaven where, despite the temperature in the low 50's with 25 - 34 mph winds, Kyle shot
a 74 to take first place. He competed in one more event in 2011, taking 2nd at Westridge GC, another new venue for Kyle.
That wraps up 2011 and there won't be anymore events until Spring Break in March. Thankfully, the winter weather has
thus far been pretty mild and Kyle continues to train hard at Castle Hills and with Coach Suckki Jang at Hank Haney.
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