Annual Letter
DBC In The Zone, LLC Annual Letter
To the Supporters of My Golf Dream:
About a year ago, I was finishing up the MAC Championship playing for the Miami University RedHawks. Shortly thereafter, I hit my first professional tee shot at the Clovernook Open. In a couple of days, I will hit that same tee shot, but it certainly won’t feel the same. This past year has been a rollercoaster that has helped me gain a wealth of knowledge that I am very grateful for. I experienced some of the highest highs followed by some unfortunate lows so I look back on year one with a combination of excitement and a few ‘what could’ve beens’.
Last Year’s Performance
Since my professional debut in May of 2024 at the Clovernook Open, I have done a few things to be proud of. My career got off to a hot start, finishing one shot back of the eventual winner, receiving my first paycheck in my very first event. Over the next year, I went on to rattle off multiple top 10’s in several mini tour events, making the cut in 83% of my starts. Most notably, I finished runner-up at a Dakotas Tour event in Minot, ND, with a four day score of -25.
Some of my biggest accomplishments this year were my success in Monday Qualifiers. I qualified twice into PGA Tour sanctioned events: The Manitoba Open in Winnipeg on PGA Tour Americas and the NV5 Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour in Glenview, IL.
These two weeks ‘inside the ropes’ allowed me to not only play in front of healthy grandstands, but also stack my game up against players making a career playing golf. These two weeks provided incredible insight into what having ‘status’ looks like.
Status can be gained a couple of ways. One of those being successfully Monday qualifying into an event and then playing great (Top 10), which then exempts the player into the following week's event on that tour. The other way to gain status (the more traditional way) is through Q School, also known as professional golf’s toughest test.
Korn Ferry Tour Q School has 4 stages: Pre-Qualifying, First, Second, and Final, with approximately 20 finishers moving on from each stage. Players who make it to the final stage are guaranteed status. Back in September, I competed in the Pre-Qualifying stage in Illinois. I advanced, finishing in a tie for 7th and well inside the cutline. I then traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska for First Stage. Playing alongside former Korn Ferry Tour winners as well as guys fresh out of college like myself, the tension was palpable all week, with livelihoods on the line.
I missed the four day cut of -7 by three shots. Although the result was disappointing, it sets the benchmark for this year. With my Top 35 finish at First Stage, I am exempt through the Pre-Qualifying Stage, one less week to tackle.
Areas of Strength and Areas of Growth
As I look back on Year 1 and head into Year 2, it serves as a great opportunity to look at my body of work over the last 12 months and see where on the course I was successful, and where the biggest room for improvement is.
With the help of the statistics program DECADE, I can decipher those strengths and weaknesses.
Overall Scoring Avg: 70.1
Strengths:
● Approach play from 100-225 yds
● 3 putt avoidance
● Double bogey avoidance
Room to Grow:
● Driving accuracy
● Up and down percentage
● Make rate from 5-15 ft
Using this knowledge, I design my practice plans around these needs, while continuing to improve my strengths.
I have also continued to work diligently with Dr. Arthur Hoffman on my mental game. This year has been by far the most challenging one on my mind. With last minute travel, staying in new places, and competing against stronger competition, my work with Arthur has kept me
grounded. Back in November, Arthur and I participated in a 6 hour mindfulness retreat, my longest practice to date! As we head into year 2, I am excited to continue to develop and cultivate more of a killer-instinct attitude and go take it!
What Your Support Has Contributed To
Of course, none of the above would be possible without your support. Over the last 12 months, I have met and talked with many players in my situation. The biggest stressor, hands down, is the financial cost to play professional golf. Your generous contribution towards my dream has afforded me the opportunity to get the most out of my schedule, covering travel, housing costs, and the most expensive part of the journey: entry fees.
Your support has also allowed me to purchase items essential to elevating my game. The Bushnell Launch Pro is a launch monitor that tracks carry distance, ball speed, and spin rate. I can take the device on the course allowing me to work on wedge distances with the scoring clubs. I also have invested in putting training aids that consistently put my stroke in a good spot each day.
Your contribution is also allocated towards coaching. In addition to Arthur Hoffman, I continue to work with Chris Oehlerking. My coach for the last 10 years, Chris and I continue to leave no stone unturned as we chase gaining status together. He experienced great success this last year too, as he was named the 2024 Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year. Along with Arthur and Chris, Jantzen Miserak helps me with all things fitness-related to keep my body both strong and mobile, especially important during busy tournament stretches.
The resources I have listed above are all possible thanks to your generosity.
The last year has opened my eyes to amazing golf courses, new cities, and most importantly, stronger and more impactful relationships.
Like I mentioned earlier, the emotional and mental toll this journey can take can sometimes be overwhelming, but knowing you are supporting me truly means the world.
I am forever indebted to you for your generosity.
What Does Year 2 Have in Store?
As I head into my sophomore year of professional golf, I am fired up. With an enhanced level of understanding about the entire professional golf landscape, I am excited for year 2. My schedule will be a steady blend of Monday qualifiers, mini tour events to keep me competitively ready, and most importantly, 3 different Q-Schools, giving myself the largest opportunity to gain status.
● This June, I will compete in PGA Tour Americas Q School.
● In September, I will travel to Europe to compete in the First Stage of DP World Q School.
● Beginning in October, I will take another run at Korn Ferry Tour Q-School.
I am bullish about this next year and I cannot thank you enough for your support.
Thank You
As I continue to reflect on Year 1, it makes me so thankful for all the opportunities I had.The combination of places seen and people that I met makes me so grateful as I chase this dream. This was especially evident during the last four months.
To escape the cold this winter, I spent time in several places in Florida, including Naples, Vero Beach, Boca Raton, and Orlando. I also was able to take trips to both Saint Simons Island, GA and Scottsdale, AZ. Accompanied by gracious hosts and great golf courses, it allowed me to continue to work on my game while also seeing amazing places many professional players call home.
I am so grateful for your support in year 1 and look forward to a great year ahead!
Best,
Danny Fisher
Your Guide to Golf Media in 2024
With an overwhelming number of media outlets, it’s difficult to know where to look or who to listen to these days. The same goes for the golf world, where rumors swirl and bias gets in the way of good reporting. Just think about all the LIV rumors we have heard with little evidence to back them up!
Below, I will share my favorite golf sources. There is a place for everyone to find information catered towards them, so without further ado, let’s begin!
Who to follow on Twitter:
“X”, or Twitter, is a great resource to find updates on the golf world. “Golf Twitter”, as it is known, has a couple great voices that I like to listen to.
NLU was created back in the early 2010s by a group of buddies (Miami OH alumni) who would simply text about golf in a group chat. One day they transferred that group chat to Twitter, and 500,000 followers later, the rest is history. They are awesome!
It isn’t only journalists that share their thoughts. Max Homa is known for being humorous and roasting golf swings. Michael Kim has recently become a fan favorite, sharing fun stories and giving advice on fundamentals.
NUCLR Golf
This account provides breaking news from all areas of the golf industry. NUCLR tracks top players, manufacturers, and follows rumors. They were one of the first ones to break Jon Rahm’s move to LIV.
Who to read:
If you are looking for longer articles detailing interesting stories: I recommend looking at these publications.
Created by Ryan French, Monday Q Info (also on Twitter) gives an inside look into stories you wouldn’t usually hear about. The majority of professional golf isn’t glamorous, and Ryan does an amazing job of reporting on those stories. Case in point, he follows the trials and tribulations of Mark Baldwin, a 37 year old mini-tour grinder who you probably have never heard of.
Currently a contributor to No Laying Up, former ESPN writer Kevin Van Valkenburg is fun to read! His style of writing is full of imagery and takes unexpected turns while reporting on some of golf's top stories.
Both of these publications have been around for as long as I can remember, providing timely stories from very credible sources. Former Golf Digest writer Dan Rappaport wrote an amazing piece on former Tour star Morgan Hoffman that can be found here.
Instagram:
If you are active on Instagram, there are some hilarious accounts that you could spend hours on! From college golf to random viral videos, there is not a shortage of content to scroll through.
This account is entertaining! ASU gives unprecedented access into their practices, facility, and funny videos as they travel the country.
Since almost dethroning Tiger at the 2008 U.S. Open, Mediate has been a household name. His new Instagram account gives tips and follows his progress as he makes a comeback on the Champions Tour. His eccentric personality alone is a reason to check it out.
This account is for those who enjoy golf fails, viral videos, and need a laugh. I highly suggest giving it a scroll. You may just go down a rabbit hole.
Youtube:
For longer versions of content, I recommend going over to YouTube. Whether it is during your lunch break, in the middle of a class, or to pick up a quick tip or laugh, I suggest checking out these accounts.
Hands down one of the better producers of content in all of golf. Using many of the world’s best European players in their videos, they combine humor and wit to engage all audiences.
PGA Tour winner Wesley Bryan and his brother George post tournament recaps, the lessons they have learned on the road, and fun matches they play against other professionals. They are even opening up their own golf course and documenting the process on their channel.
Third time I have mentioned NLU, and for good reason. Their content on YouTube, courtesy of D.J. Piehowski, is amazing. With series like ‘Tourist Sauce’ and ‘Strapped’, you will fall in love with the characters and places they visit.
Three Wheel LIfe
From sophomore to senior year of high school, my dad and I took annual trips to Columbus, Indiana for the AJGA event at Otter Creek. Little did I know that this event would eventually mean much more to me than a Fourth of July weekend spent in the middle of a flyover state.
As a sophomore in high school, AJGAs were a massive deal to me. As some of the best tournaments in the country, it was pretty hard to get into them for a player like myself who didn’t have a ton of ranking points (finishing 12th in local Illinois events won’t do you any good). However, I lucked out and had enough points to barely get into my first tournament in the summer of 2017. This event was my first taste of how many good players wanted to play in college, something I wasn’t really exposed to in the state of Illinois. Kids from all over the country played in these AJGA events, with college coaches following along closely, scouting their next potential star recruit.
My dad and I showed up to that first Otter Creek event with no expectations, but we had lots of curiosity. I was filled with nerves of course, experiencing something new and not feeling like I totally belonged once I stepped out of the car onto that blacktop parking lot. During the first day of practice, and as I geared up to play in the biggest event of my career up until that point, it just felt like kids were more prepared than I was.
These kids had methodical drills on the putting green set up, stretching consumed a lot of the locker room and practice tee. And every single bag was on three wheels.
If I remember correctly, I missed the cut that year. Nonetheless, the most important thing to come out of my experience down in Columbus, Indiana was the realization that a push-cart could make a difference.
I saw more push-carts down at Otter Creek that week than I have to this day. My dad pointed it out to me. Having been a former baseball player and overall decent athlete, I looked at push-carts as “soft”. Now, I was beginning to see it as an advantage in amateur golf.
My dad and I picked up a push-cart the next day. His reasoning was simple: “Hey, these kids are better than you at the moment. They are all using push-carts. We’re getting you a push-cart.” That was that.
Fast forward seven years later and I still have the same push-cart. The white paint is chipping, the front wheel is slowly falling apart, and the straps aren’t as strong as they once were. I still get made fun of for being “soft”, and unlike those days at Otter Creek, I am one of the few players who doesn’t carry my bag during collegiate tournaments. It has thousands of miles on it, has seen some of the most beautiful places in the country, and has been more than just a transporter of golf clubs.
The cart has seen great shots, decent ones, as well as some pretty horrible ones. It has seen laughter and tears, high and lows, all in the pursuit of control. It was along for the ride on my front-nine 29 at Purdue’s Kampen course, there to witness my qualification for the U.S. Amateur, and aiding me when I shot a course record 62. It was also right there for a gut-wrenching blown lead during the final round of the MAC championship and beside me for my final round 80 at the Illinois Junior. Yet a month later, it carried me all week to a win at the Chick Evans.
From the Bahamas to Hawaii, Seattle to Sea Island, the walks it has been a part of are some of the prettiest in the world.
It has witnessed some bad, it has witnessed some good, showing me that this journey I am on is not, and will not be, as direct as we want it to be.
Going LOW at the CDGA Am
This past week, I played in the CDGA Am at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan. The event features some of the best players in Illinois, and can create some exciting play with its unique format.
Starting with about 75 players from all across the state who competed in qualifiers to get to Glen Flora (I was exempt this year due to my play in CDGA events last summer), that field size then cuts to the top 16 after 36 holes of stroke play and a match play bracket ensues, which is a much different atmosphere than stroke play.
36 holes. Since playing at the Division 1 level, 36 holes in a day has become the ordinary, where most of our events of 54 holes are played over two days in an effort to not miss too many school days.
My day started at about 5:30am in preparation for my 7:57am tee time off the 10th tee. The first tee shot was not the greatest, a high right 4 iron that hit a tree leaving me 185 yards into a hole where I should have about a pitching wedge into the green. Just the start I needed, I thought to myself. However, that first shot of the day would be the one I would hit, looking back on it now.
The par 70 design of Glen Flora yielded 14 birdies to me over the course of the 36 holes. To go along with three bogeys, two of those coming on holes 35 and 36, I found myself at 11 under par, with the next closest competitor at 1 under par, a 10 shot victory. Not too shabby. But there’s more to the day than just that.
The day started off slow as I mentioned, making pars on my first three holes before making a short chip shot on 13 to get my first birdie of the day. Glen Flora is a very short golf course, so I took advantage of my 2 iron off the tee, which can roll out to about 250 yards. After I flick a wedge into 14 to about six feet, I am now 2 under through five. Pars on 16 and 17 are followed up by a HUGE drive on 17, leaving me 50 yards, which I hit to about three feet. 3 under. My first nine holes ended with a perfect putt from about 25 feet on hole 18 never leaving the center. 4 under.
My back nine started slow once again, missing makeable putts on holes one, three, and four. Giving myself chances is all I can ask for. Hole five, I stuff one to six feet. 5 under. Hole six, drill a 25 footer. 6 under. Hole seven I hit a great pitching wedge from 146 yards to about five feet. 7 under. Hole 8, you cannot be above the flag, something I knew from my years playing there with buddies for fun. However, being aggressive, my 6 iron approach lands about 3 feet from the hole, and rolls out to 10 feet above the hole. When I say I lag this putt, I play about 4 feet of break and barely breathe on it. The golf gods were on my side, with the putt dripping over the center. 8 under. Sitting on my last hole with a 10 footer to shoot 61, I didn’t flinch, taking my time on my routine and one last deep breath before I stroke it. This putt cannot miss, I thought, before it makes a sharp right turn, catching 180 degrees of the holes before spitting it out. I settled for 62, tying the course record and catching some eyes around the club.
The next 18 holes followed, where I shot a smooth 3 under 67 to pace the field. What I learned most from the week is how important a reliable putter can be. With good speed control and making putts inside 10 feet, it's hard to shoot a bad score. As they say, drive for show, putt for dough.
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