Claire gets invited to The Bubba Conlee Invitational

Well, to make a very long story short, we were in St Louis watching Claire in the Hurricane Event when a rep from the Bubba Tournament called and offered Claire a last minute invite.  A girl fell ill at the last minute and Claire was offered the spot!  Claire knew she would be tired and not completely familiar with the course, but she wanted the opportunity and accepted the offer!  We then drove back to Memphis late Sunday night (really Monday am) and woke back up and drove to Mirimich Course in Millington for her practice round.  The course was set up brutally long and difficult, but she struggled the first 2 days of the tournament and the other girls were from all over the world and US, and she turned it around on day 3  Sadly, she only made it through hole 14 before the rains hit and they did not count anyone's score from day 3.  Claire got last place out of 42 (that has never happened ever) but she learned so very much by even being there......

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Claire's partners the first 2 days.  Both named Katie and both amazing.  Tall Katie is 19 and signed with the UofM tigers and starts in the fall!!

Kids from all over the world...we loved this chinese Jack Nichalaus umbrella we saw!

Most beautiful course in Memphis!  Nature everywhere!  So proud of Claire for hanging in there and not giving up in brutal conditions!

 

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!!

 

77 for the win!!

Claire continues to improve with a 77 yesterday at a local one day 18 hole event to take home the 1st place medal.  Her new friend MC pulled 2nd! Go Claire go!

 

A New Driver is in the House!!

Well, Claire took her permit test and was an absolute nervous wreck.  She worried for nothing and missed only 1.  I let her drive my car afterwards in a local school parking lot and she did great...parking is going to take some work!!!

Claire had a practice round last evening at Southwind TPC and we saw this fella right near her tee box!  Of course she immediately lost focus and just was smitten with this beaver....he paid her no attention!

 

Claire's Freshman Year is coming to a close.....and 25 Years!

Well today was the underclassman awards ceremony at SBA.  And of course it was virtual and I couldn't be there, but our hearts are full tonight as Claire won the St. Teresa of Calcutta Service Award. As proud as I am of her for her grades and golf, this makes my heart soar.  May she never lose the desire to serve.  Proud of Claire!

We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary a few weeks ago and of course with covid, there was no party, no travel, no nothing.  So Lance was super kind and suprised me with this for our Silver Anniversary a few days ago.  It took longer to have made and shipped as Lance had planned....worth the wait!  So proud he has been my partner in life and my better half for these 25 years.....I am blessed beyond measure! Can't wait for the second 25! I love you Lance!

 

More Birthday Pics, and busy weekend!!!

Well, it was down to MSU Golf Course for a bif 2 day competitive tourney...she did not play well, but had fun and saw lots of local golfers she knew!  So we took one of her golfer friends to Bulldog Burger after the Saturday round and had a blast!

Claire opening some of her Birthday loot and finally got the shoes she's been wanting for months and months....

And a new PJ shirt from Jesse!

Claire was featured this weekend on LPGA site for a diversity campiagn and we kept getting texted from friends and family that Claire was all over twitter and instagram....it was fun to see!

We had 3 massive trees removed while we were gone over the weekend and apparantly they did not finish yet...this is what we came home to last night...hopefully the rain will stay away and this will be gone soon!!  Backyard pics coming soon!

 

We have a 15 year old!!! And someone who is starting to break 80!!!!

Well, Ms Claire turned 15 today!  She celebrated all weekend with a spend the night with her friend group and a cookout yesterday with family and the Cardosis!  And boy was this weekend beautiful....until today.  Her actual birthday!  She was originally going to take this weekend off from tournaments, but they added one at the last minute and she decided to play, and she loves it when Lance can caddy....so she played in the wind and rain all morning in front of Jesse (who is home from college for the summer!) and shot a 76!  We were so proud of her and she seems to have turned a corner!  We are off to Starkville next week to play the 2 day SSJC MSU event and should be a blast!! 

Happy Birthday Claire!  We love you!!!!