Claire Battles it out in St. Louis at Tapawingo!!!

We journeyed to St. Louis Friday for a 2 day Hurricane event with Claire.  We battled high heat , high humidity, high winds, and torrential wind throughout the entire weekend!  Once she got a little familiar with the course, she had confidence and played great golf.  Day 2 had a 2 hour rain delay, but she went back out and shot a stellar 39 on the back.  This is a PGA level difficulty with doglegs everywhere, hills, water, and the thickets junk you've ever seen.  So glad Claire is getting experience on these type courses.

The clubhouse was gorgeous on the inside and out....a wedding was happening as she finished her round Saturday night!

Why can't water coolers be this cute everywhere!

Deer were everywhere....on the range, on the course, and even outside our hotel.  People do not seem to bother them a bit!
One came up right behind Claire during her backswing!

Before her round we did an informal tour of Maryville, a small private school in St Louis with a grils golf program.  She wanted to tour Wash U, but we didn't have the time!  Next time St. Louis!  Anyway, she placed 7th in her division and we were pleased!  There are amazing golfers at this level of golf and we were tickled she held her own.....

 

Claire's First Master's 2 Day !

Well, this summer Claire was moved up to the Sneds Master's Division Golf  Tour and boy how things changed.  Instead of 20 girls in her group, now there were only 6 and they were all awesome...half of the kids in this tourney traveled from all over Tennessee.  Claire help her own from the white tees with an 80 yesterday and 83 today...in 96 degrees.  She placed 2nd in her first Masters Event ever and only missed first by 3 strokes.  She really changed her mental game these past 2 tournaments and the change is visible.  Proud of her work ethic.  Also, Jesse made a 100 on a major circuitry exam!  Go kids go!

Claire with her new friend Macy who won the tourney.  Lots coming up soon!

 

Busy Busy Busy Week!!!

Well, let me start off by saying that Jesse is around and well, but working hard in his internship and in his summer class, so it's been a minute since I've posted about him...Jesse is now a junior and doing his 3rd summer internship!  He is gaining priceless experience that we hope will help him when it comes time to get a "real" job.  Jesse is loving his EE internship at a local engineering firm.  He does a ton of computer type work for them regarding rendering, 3D modeling, CAD, and a bunch of other stuff I do not understand.  Today his firm was invited to a groundbreaking ceremony of a hugh sports center that they will be doing the electrical for.  The pic about is Jesse with the City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, who I happen to be a big fan of.  He's a good Catholic, a SVDP colunteer, and he also has one biological son and one adopted daughter, both products of Catholic Schools!  Keep it up Jesse....we are so very proud of the man you are becoming!

 

So we celebrated my birthday with our parents and my dear friend Julie Kate and her son last week before my actual bday because we had to head to our whirlwind 4 day golf trip...So we all ate at Half Shell and had a blast!!

On Thursday, we drove Claire over to Rockvale, TN (near Murfreesboro) to  let Claire attempt to qualify for the regional Drive, Chip, and Putt.  This would be Claire's last year of eligibilty since you have to be 15 at the 2022 Masters, and she will....and since it was cancelled last year of course, we had to let her give it a shot!  So she came, she was ready, and boy she was in a zone.  I have to admit I was very nervous for her because Nashville has a ton af amazing girl golfers and they were all trying to qualify....so here comes this little Memphis girl and messes up all their fun!  She placed 2nd overall (they take the top 3) and she has qualified for the next level!  We will be traveling to The Grove July 29th against the best TN girls.....go Claire go!

And on my actual birthday, we went to my very favorite Murfreesboro restaurant, Demos, with my aunt Linda and her sons (my double first cousins....who then took us hiking to see a cave the next day...pics below) It was the most wonderful day!

A shirt in the Opryland hotel that just made me smile

Claire missed an Eagle by a half rotation.....

So the other reason we traveled to Rockvale, was a big Hurricane 2 Day Tournament.  It was called the Nashville Junior Open.  And this is what Claire is up against these days....but she hung in there and tied for 8th overall which is a huge improvement for Claire!!!  And these girls are 2-4 yearls older than she!

Such a beautiful hole!

So, Sunday am we got up and met my cousins to check out this amazing cave that happened to be so close to the course...so before we arrived at the course for Claire to warm up and play, we hiked and had a blast! The cave isfilled with water and pitch black, so we just enjoyed the view from the entrance and enjoyed the 54 degree temps....Because we had 90's all weekend long.....

Anyway, a really good weekend for Claire's golf and for us all...proud parents....lots more coming up soon!

Claire shoots a personal best!

Claire was in a good mental space today as she had a difficult week of golf.  But today rounded out the rough week in a good way...shot a 74!   She was relaxed and confident and won by 14 strokes!  So proud of all her pars and birdies today!  Go Claire go!! Big week coming up....posts coming soon!!