Public Links State Championship

Played in the Oregon Golf Association Public Links Championship this past weekend at Sandpines Golf Links in Florance Oregon.  Drove down Friday for a practice round, really windy and cold, just like in April the first time I played the course, shot 85.  In the championship I shot 86 first round, and 89 final round.  My first tee ball took a big hop left sideways into the salal, lost ball, a 6 on my first hole.  Called a two stroke penalty on myself on 12th hole the second day for taking an improper drop.  My nearest relief was in the fairway, and I stupidly dropped in the rough, slightly further away.  The rule is "nearest relief through the green", and there is no difference between rough and fairway, both are through the green.  One other bad hole, I topped my drive right into a pond, then butchered the second ball into a very deep bunker, got out nicely, tough pitch to the green, great putt, just missed, 7.  The hole I took the penalty strokes, I had casual water twice, and had to hit off the concrete cart path, because my relief in that case was in the shrubbery.  Almost got up and down from the cart path, for a great 7, tapped in for 8.  

All my bad shots were just completely horrible, topped shots, pushed drives.  At least I putted well.  That putting lesson from Jackie Burke last week helped.  Only one three putt in 72 holes and I should have chipped that one I was so far from the hole.  Missed every birdie putt, but always around the hole, lots of tap in pars and great save putts.  Really I drove the ball terrible, it could of been worse.  Finished T47.  Wrap-up.