Date: March 04, 2014
Author: Stacey Keating / GA Rookie Squad

Keating blog: where did the summer go?

Where has the summer gone! It’s been so nice to be in Australia for almost 2 months. As much as I ve been in Australia, I haven t exactly been at home but it&aposs sure nice to not have to check what time it is so you can simply make a phone call!! So where have I been – I won&apost bore you with every round, but I ll give you a brief run down of things!! I started playing in NSW for the ALPG Pro-Ams with some satisfying results to get me back into competition mode after a little break. We played 5 Pro-Ams, and my results ranged from 3rd to 17th. Then from there onto NSW Open which in the past I have had some great results, but wasn t quite the week I was hoping for, with me finishing 40th. Now on to NZ Open. I was fortunate enough to play the first 2 rounds with Lydia Ko, so as you could imagine we had half of NZ watching which was great! Over the 3 days I played some solid golf but still felt a little rusty to put it together for all 3 rounds, finishing up 40th odd place. Next on the calendar was the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast- I love this event as all of my family comes up and they make it their holiday! It was an average week on course for me, felt like I was hitting it ok, but my short game wasn t there to save me, and after 4 rounds, of even, +1, +2, -1 on a course where birdies are usually flying, it put me mid 30s for the week. Hoped to build on this the following week at the ISPS HANDA Women&aposs Australian Open. I was really looking forward to this event, as it was at my home course. I think there are definitely pros and cons to this, but I was hoping there were more pros! I was happy with how my practice went for the week, and even the first round I got off to a solid start with early birdies which always settles me in nicely, but my second round was a scramble, and I was fighting very hard as I knew I was on the cut line, and I made a double bogey on the par 3 16th. And kind of shattered my chances of playing on the weekend.. I finished +3 for the event and the cut was even par. Very disappointed with the week But onwards and upwards as they say. Down to 13th Beach we went. At least I had nice memories from last year to cheer me up!! We were served three tough opening days and one really calm day. I played my best golf in the tougher conditions, and on the final day I guess I had nothing to lose, I was positioned 5th, and 8 behind, so I decided I would play quite aggressively! Maybe that backfired on me a little. I shot +5 for the day and dropped to 15th position, so yes I was disappointed with my finish, but it was the end to a long 6-week stretch for me, and I really enjoyed the Vic Open, mixed with the men! Was a great atmosphere! So now for a week off, which just quietly I was looking forward to! I just went back to the farm, caught up with some friends and did some practice to get ready for our next event, World Ladies Championship in China on the Ladies European Tour. Stacey Keating is a former National Squad member, former Victorian Open champion, two-time Ladies European Tour winner and current member of Golf Australia&aposs Rookie Professional Program. This blog can also be found at his website www.staceykeating.com.au . Follow her on Twitter @staceykeats