Blogging from Southern Hills...Spencer Fletcher

August 23, 2009

<a href="http://www.2009usamateur.com/">Click here for the official site of the U.S. Amateur</a><separator></separator><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/082900aaa.html/">Cl… here to read about ASU's last U.S. Amateur winner</a><separator></separator>Note: <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/fletcher_spencer00.html"… Fletcher</a> will blog from the U.S. Amateur this week as stroke play begins Monday. He tees at 1:35 p.m. on Monday and 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Fletcher and teammates <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/kennegard_jesper00.html"… Kennegard</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/bierenbroodspot_tristan0… Bierenbroodspot</a> played a practice round Sunday.<separator></separator>It's great to be here at the 109th United States Amateur Championship. This year it will be played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Playing in this championship is an amazing experience because of all the history and tradition that surrounds the tournament. To know that Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/mickelson_phil00.html">P… Mickelson</a>, <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/quinney_jeff00.html">Jeff Quinney</a> and Tiger Woods all played in this tournament and won it tells you what an honor it is to hold the trophy.<separator></separator>This year will be extremely hard just like every other year to win, 312 players start the tournament with two rounds of stroke play. After that the lowest 64 will advance to match play. You will have to beat six of the best amateurs in the world to win the championship. It's nice to have Sun Devil teammates <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/kennegard_jesper00.html"… Kennegard</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-golf/mtt/bierenbroodspot_tristan0… Bierenbroodspot</a> playing with me. I played a practice round with them today and they are playing great.<separator></separator>I just returned from the players dinner which was at the ballroom at Southern Hills. Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops was the guest speaker. It was inspiring to hear him speak about competition and going after your goals everyday.<separator></separator>I tee off tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. on the tenth hole and 8:20 a.m. the next day (CT). Everyone needs to play well if they intend on making it to match play. This is my second U.S. Amateur so I am familiar with what it will take to make it. My goal is to hit keep the ball in the fairway. If you can do that the approach shots to the greens aren't too difficult but you must keep the ball below the hole because some of the greens slope severely.<separator></separator>I can't wait to start playing tomorrow I know it will be an extremely memorable experience. I hope I will be able to report on many good shots tomorrow.<separator></separator>Go Devils!!<separator></separator>