Golf In A Parallel Universe (23 page)

“Speaking of Gus. I talked to him a few days ago. He told me that he was really impressed on how you have stuck with his plan. He thinks you are on the verge of really developing your game," he told me. “Wow, that means a lot to me," I replied. “It should. And believe me, Gus does not pass out compliments very easily” Jerry told me. We talked a little more, and we laughed when I told him, he sent me a postcard. I have not seen one of those since I was a little kid. “I told you he is stuck in the 70’s” he said laughing.

As we wound down and shook hands goodbye, I had the same feeling as the past when talking to Jerry. It just seem that he wants to talk to me about something else. “Oh well. I got bigger things to worry about now," I tell myself. I go back to the hotel and eat a good dinner and go to bed. Tomorrow is Thursday, the first round of the US Open.

Thursday Morning. This is the day. The US Open at Pinehurst. I have a 10:00 am tee time and I am at the course at 7:30am. The place is buzzing. I am feeling good however I feel nervous. I meet up with Zack. “Game Time!," I tell him. He smiles. “I am ready," he replied. Zack has been here since daybreak. He has already walked the course. Checked all the pin placements and made notes of every little detail. “Gosh, he works hard," I tell myself.”

“Guess you you are playing with today?, asked Zack. “Who?," I replied. “Alex Spears and Cory McCullough," he said smiling. “You're kidding me? I bet he is not too happy to see me.” We just laughed. Then I started thinking. I am playing with the number one player in the world again. And I bet he is not too happy after I defeated him in the match play tournament at The World Golf Championship a few weeks ago. But that was different. That was pure match play which is head-to-head competition, which I have always been pretty good at. And it was just me against him. And of course that was with my old swing. I just wonder if he will notice any difference in my game.

I start thinking about how I will in this tournament. In the past I would just hope to make the cut. But I feel different now. I feel like I can make a run for this tournament if I play well. But then I start to think. But then a little doubt creeps in. I wonder if this new swing and new game I have for real? One way or another, this tournament will be a pivotal turning point on where I am going with my career. This is Pinehurst and the US Open. The US Open is not like a normal tournament. The course is tough and you will not see many low scores. The winner may be just barely be around par. This will be a challenge. But I feel like I am up for this challenge.

We hit some balls for a while. Then I work on chipping and putting. Then we take a break for a few minutes get a snack. Then by 9:30am we are back warming up. Time is almost here. About 9:50am we go to the clubhouse staging area to get ready to go to the first Tee. While waiting, I feel like I'm a football player before the Super Bowl with nervous jitters in the locker room. But I feel good.

Finally they call our names and we go out of the clubhouse and walk to the tee. “Wow this place is rocking” I tell myself. So many people lined up on both sides as we are walking to the first Tee. And the TV crew is right behind us. And of course all the attention is on Cory, the number one player in the world. Also there is a lot of attention for Alex Spears which looks like the will be the next young superstar. He is going to be a force to reckon with the next couple of years. I am just a sideshow. They just paired me up with them because I won the masters. These guys go through this every week. Big crowds, TV crews and all that goes along with being rich and famous. I think it is fun seeing all of this. I feel like more of a spectator walking through the crowds on our way to the tee.

We get to the tee and we meet the starters. I notice how Cory and Jason handle all the attention gracefully. They are truly super stars. I feel relaxed because seems all the attention is on them not me. I guess I might have looked like I was enjoying this too much. I looked up at Zack. He gave me a look that said “Get Focused." Not sure if that was intentional on his part. But that’s what I felt. I worked on getting my mind back to the task at hand. And I really felt good. I was not nervous anymore. I feel like I got the killer attitude. I am going for it today. Finally the starter gets us ready. “Ladies and Gentlemen, first to tee off at 10:00 am. From Edinburgh Scotland Cory McCullough." The galley gives a big applause, and he tips his cap. He sets up confidently and crushes one right down the middle about 325 yard. And the gallery cheers very loudly. People screaming “That a Boy Cory! I am just amazed at his power. He crushed that drive. Then start speaks again. “Ladies and Gentlemen, from Dallas Texas, Alex Spears." He also receives a big applause from the Gallery. And Alex smacks one down the middle about 290 yards and the crowd cheers. He is not one of the longest hitters on the tour, but he is deadly accurate. And he has every shot in the bag. He has a great game and a bright future on the tour. Then they call my name. I am thinking this is Big time. “Ladies and Gentlemen, next on the tee from Orlando Florida, Jim Galloway.” The crowd cheers but I do not believe as loud as it was for Cory and Alex. I feel good. I am not really nervous. As I get setup, I just think Tempo, Tempo, Tempo. I make great swing and crush it right down the middle past Alex and right behind Cory.

As we are walking off the Tee. Cory smiles and squeezes my biceps and said out loud so the crowd could hear. “Man, you been working out Jim?” The gallery laughed and so did Cory and I walking down to the fairway. I know he thinks I am just pumped up. He knows how far I used the hit the ball. When I was playing him at the World Golf Championship, I was always 30 to 50 yards behind him.

We all parred the first hole. As we played the next few holes, I was playing great. My tempo was great and my accuracy and distance was money. Cory was not paying much attention the first few holes. But then he started to realize that I was right with him on my drives. He seemed a little confused at first about that. But he did not say anything. He was in competitive mode, so he did not seem to care too much. He was not playing against me. He was playing against the course, just like all of us. I was hitting the ball well. And I was scoring ok. I was even after nine holes. Not bad for this course on the big stage. I could really tell that my caddie Zack was dead on with his club selections. There were times that he would recommend a club that I had my doubts. But I did not say anything. And he was right on. I was surprised on how he knew the correct club. I suppose caddies go by logic by calculating the distances and knowing the player. Whereas the players often go by feel and by emotions. So it was good to have him in charge of club selection. This course is so hard.

No one is shooting lights out today. I found myself in a jam a few times around the green. If you do not hit the greens in regulation on this course, then you better bring your blue collar lunch pail with you. Because you are going to be working hard. The chipping and putting that I had worked so hard on recently per Zack’s advice really paid off. I missed six greens today in regulation, which is about average. I saved par on all but one. And some were not easy shots. And I even got up and down for a birdie from 40 yards out on a par 5. So my short game really paid off.

Going down the stretch I was even par. I had made a couple of bogeys and a couple of birdies. The course was playing very tough. But I felt good. As I was walking down the 16th hole I was amazed on how many people were following us. It was crazy. I guess this is what Cory and Alex go through all the time. I bogeyed the 16th hole even though I hit a good drive. My second shot was hit well, but I was on the very back of the green and the pin was on the front. I hit a poor put on my long putt about 10 feet from the hole. On my par putt, I hit it like I wanted, but misread the putt and I missed it. I three putted. “Welcome to the US Open” I told myself. The US open is famous for difficult fast greens that will ruin your day. The 17th hole is long par three, 208 yards into the wind. I hit a smooth 3 iron into the trap on the left side. The pin placement was on the left side so not much green to work with. I hit a good shot out, but I was not able to get up and down. So now I have had two bogeys in a row and now two over. One hole to go. Number 18 which par 4 which 453 yards. Not partially long hole but a good finishing hole. It is a dog leg right. I hit a good drive. I placed it right where I wanted, left center of the fairway and a good shot to the green. Now in the past I would be hitting a driver and a six iron or more. But with my new distance I was about 150 out and I hit a smooth 9 iron about 5 feet from the hole. That felt great. I made my putt and ended up with one over for the day. I was happy. One over at the US open is right in the mix. Cory shot one under, he had a good round.

We shook hands and said good round to each other. We were walking off the green Cory looked up at me “You have been working on your game. Good Job," he said smiling. I thanked him. It really surprised me. To get that complement from the number one player of the world is something. I really felt good about that. After we got our cards validated, and all finished up I was still full of energy. I told Zack that I want to go to the range. I hit a lot of balls. That little voice was pushing me on, ecstatic as usual. “Gosh this is fun," I said to Zack. “I don’t know what has got into you recently, but keep it up” he replied. “Well, It just feel good to hit good shots. Golf has been tough for me the last couple of years. But now it is just plain fun. I love to strike the ball and it feels great when you hit a good solid shot. And now I am enjoying being competitive. I feel like I have a new life," I told him.

“I do not know," he replied. “I guess sometimes a person can get a life-changing event. Maybe winning the Masters awoke a sleeping giant inside you or something. I saw a remarkable change in your game right after the Masters. But after you took of those two weeks with lessons from Gus. That is when became a whole new ball game. You are turning into a real golfer now. Not to say you were not before," he said laughing.

“You're right Zack. I know after the Masters I seemed to have a new enthusiasm for the game and I hit a lot of balls and was riding on a high. But the lessons with Gus is where things have really changed." That’s true” he replied.

I wanted to tell him the about the strange I have been hearing since the Masters. But I decided not to. He would just think I am crazy. And he would probably be correct.

“It's getting a little late Zack. I will head out in a few. Take off and I will see you in the morning," I told him. “Oh, no I can stay, that's my job. “No get out of here," I said laughing. I will be wrapping it up soon. I just want to hit a few more and think about things. “OK, sounds good, Tee Time tomorrow is at 10:30am," he told me. I told him I will be here about 8:00 am and he took off.

I continued to hit more balls. I felt good. I was happy but determined. I hit balls for another two hours because that little voice is cheering me on and I am having fun. I had to force myself to leave.

I went to the hotel. I grabbed a beer and sat by the window looking out. I was not in reflective mood. I was thinking about tomorrow. I have that burning competitive attitude again. I want to go out and destroy the competition tomorrow. I wish I could go now. I am so fired up. I grab another beer and drank it. My mind is spinning. I want to play so bad right now, I can hardly stand it. After that I wanted a third beer. I felt like just staying up late, drinking some beers and thinking about tomorrow. But then I took a deep breath. “OK Jim, take it easy." I decided not to go for that 3rd beer. I know I don't feel very good the next day if I go three or more beers. I am a lightweight by default in the drinking department.

I need to calm myself down. The new motivation and enthusiasm for the game is going to wear me down if I am not careful. I know it all has to do with this crazy voice in my head. Finally I get something to eat and go to bed. I have a hard time getting to sleep. I am ready to go play the next round. Once I fall to sleep. I start having those same dreams again about having a family. These dreams are always peaceful. But this time they seem different. Seems to be stress somewhere. The family that I have in the dreams seemed worried. I do not know why. I still do not really see or remember faces. But I feel the emotions of my family. Not sure why, but they seem to be concerned for my safety.

Day 2 Of US Open

I wake up the next morning and I remember the dreams. “That was odd” I tell myself. I am a little tired. I must have not slept very well last night. I get up and drink coffee. I turn on the TV and watching the Golf Channel. And to my surprise, they are talking about me. It is the same commentator Jeff Barlow, who was talking about me at the TPC a few weeks ago. He is saying the same thing that he was saying before. He was talking how I just do not have what it takes to be competitive on the tour.

“Just like I said last time," He said hitting his fist on the table. “Some people thought, that Jim Galloway had a chance at the TPC. And of course he was non-issue, just like I predicted. It will be the same here this week," he said confidently.

I started to get a little pissed. But then I calmed myself down. I decided that there is no use in getting all excited by what he is saying. He was actually right last time. But we will see what happens this time. I am not the same golfer now as I was then.

As I was driving out to the course, I was ready to play. I had that competitive fire inside me. I met up with Zack and told him how I feel. “We are going to rock this place today man!," I said with enthusiasm. Zack laughed. “Sure I am ready," he replied. “No, listen to me” I said. I looked at him right in the eye. “I am going for it today. I am expecting to shoot lights out today. No playing it safe. I am ready to crush this course today. I want you to have the same attitude," I told him with a very determined look. He looked at me a little confused. I could tell he was thinking that I was a little crazy. "OK, OK," he said shaking his head. I am on board," he told replied.

“OK, but we keep the same plan. You make the club selections. And when I decide what I want to do on a certain shot. Then you just make your normal recommendations on the shot placement. Keep me in check. I know I am amped up, but do not let me get out of my Tempo. I want to continue the same swing Tempo that I have developed with this new swing. I do not want to get out there and just start ripping it," I told him. Zack agreed. I think he was relieved that I have the common sense to keep my swing tempo like I have learned. I make up my mind that in between shots that I will be super competitive. But those few seconds addressing and swing the ball, I will work on my tempo, just as Gus had taught me.