First and second round pictures

Caitlin Opperman in first collegiate competition

 

Lora Hlavsa chips in Jekyll Island first round

Dan Allen sizes up a birdie putt in round 2

Matt Butler, Nick Santrach, and Mark Thomson compare 2nd round exploits

Jekyll Island wildlife

Jekyll Island golf course has more than good golf.  These Roseate Spoonbills were particularly pretty in pink!As for my obsession with alligators...notice the big guy lurking in the water behind the 17th green!  Yesterday Ben hit a shot perilously close to this water hazard and I was forced to kneel down with my head at this water's edge to help him identify his ball...imagine my trepidation, knowing these guys may be lurking nearby!  And you think the job of a golf coach is cushy!

Day 3- Jekyll Island

Last day of practice for the teams...tomorrow it's for real!  We had another good day and besides more good practice, the weather finally improved enough to be glad we're not in Minnesota...for those of you who are envious of us playing in the south, yesterday it was warmer in Minn. than down here!  Nevertheless, there's something to be said for the teams traveling together that cannot be simulated by practices at home so despite the cool weather, it's great to be here.

For the first-timers, today was another new experience with all the teams having arrived and practicing in team gear...completely different energy than the previous few days.  It was a good next step for the "youngsters" and it was also evident that last year's experience here made the upperclassmen unfazed by the increased activity of the other teams.

After a full day at the course (about 10 hours of practice for Nick and Tyler and me) it was off for a dinner of seafood at Mullet Bay (no, not mullet the hairdo, mullet the fish).  Good food and lots of it ending with a birthday cake and  brownies (made by Angie and me last night) back at the house, for Dan's birthday and the day was done. 

Time for action to begin...can't wait to see how it goes!

Coach Nause

PIctures from first day

Second day of practice...on and off rain kept the camera in the car...enjoy the shots from our first day on the course!

The first order of business today for the team was to get a little clinic on how to hit chips from the very difficult lies of bermuda grass.  There are some real tricks to playing good shots from this stuff so it was good to get the whole team together and be able to help them learn shots to handle these conditions.  I was gratified to see everyone implementing these new shots on the course!

On the course, the men's team had a hotly contested 2 day playoff for the 5th spot in the men's tourney, with Tyler, Matt Caminiti, and Mark Thomson doing their best to provide the drama.  After 27 holes, Mark had a seemingly sizable lead but as we all know with golf...you never know what's going to happen, AND nerves can wreak havoc with good golf.  With a water hazard the length of #18 and Matt breathing down his neck, Mark provided some drama to who would play the 5th spot.  Without going into the shot by shot details as all golfers love to do, let me just say Mark survived Matt's steady back nine charge to claim the spot for the weekend.

On the women's side of the road (the courses are located across the road from each other) it was a good day of practice as well.  The indoor swing mechanics changes we've been working on back at Mac are evident right down the line with every golfer.  Angie has been in charge of the women's team and has gotten them all getting things going in the right direction.  Caitlin made a big break-through today, Lora is getting used to her new clubs, and Grace continues to make improvements on her swing for the long term.

So one more day of practice and then the real fun begins!  Another good day in the books and time to sign off for the day...the weather forecast looks better and better each day...good news on the photo front...stay tuned~

Martha

First day of practice at Jekyll

Day one of 2010 Spring Break...a success!  After a long first day, I'm excited about the progress of everyone since the end of the fall season.  To a person, everyone is better and though today's scores don't reflect it because of winter rust, I'm super excited about both teams and what they're accomplishing.  Both men's and women's teams spent some time this morning practicing (kudos to Nick who joined Angie and myself for a bonus practice session at 8:30!), then headed out to their respective courses to see how their swings would hold up away from the driving range.  I spent the day smiling as I observed lots of great shots, lots of good work around the greens, and lots of good questions about how to make things better.  I couldn't be more proud of this group! 

Nice sunny weather also provided us with some fun wildlife watching with the resident gators, huge snapping turtles, and the 3 legged deer.  A great dinner of fajitas (courtesy of Chef Butler, sou-chefs Hlavsa and the Bear) at the Beachview house and we're ready to retire for the night. 

Here's hoping the 80% chance of rain stays away!!!

Martha

Player Page Test

This is a test page for future Mac Golf 11 blog improvements. Don't mind me!

- Lo

Caitlin Opperman

Year: Junior
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
High School: George Washington
Major: Psychology
DOB: October 18th.

What makes Mac Golf so classic?
The players.

What is your preferred ball flight?
Toward the hole.

 What adjective best describes your golf game?
Unexpected.

Any secret talents?
It's still a secret.

How old do you act?
Anywhere between a second grader and a soccer mom.

If Mac was changing its colors from blue and orange, what you prefer the new ones be?
Orange and blue, there's a difference.

Best Mac Golf memory?
Jekyll Island, where "It's All Good."

Favorite club?
I change favorites as often as Kelso changes majors.

Favorite course?
The Wilds.

Describe any death experiences you've had:
Driving with Nick... or pretty much any of the guys.


Favorite line from Superbad?
"McLovin? What kind of a stupid name is that, Fogel? What, are you trying to be an Irish R&B singer?"