Last Man In - Monroe Invitational

8:33 pm EST: I write this post from a Hampton Inn outside of Rochester, New York. If you asked me where I would be at this present moment 36 hours ago, I would’ve assumed I would be celebrating America’s birthday with all my good buddies back from high school. 

I was caddying at Bob O Link GC yesterday and when I was done with my loop, I looked at my phone and saw missed calls and unanswered texts from my college coach, J.D. Fletcher, along with my dad. The Monroe Invitational had one of their players withdraw, and I was next on the alternate list. The Monroe is a top 10 amateur event in the country, known for its hospitality and tricky old school Donald Ross course. 

Many thoughts go through my head when I see these messages. Of course I take the opportunity with the goals I have. I am the luckiest human in the world to have a family, friends, and support system who have always had my back and best interest in mind. When I got home after my loop, my parents and I weighed the options of driving 10 hours or taking a flight, which would leave in less than 24 hours. We settled on a flight, and then a rental car, and then a hotel room within the next 15 minutes. 

Fast forward to the next morning with the week of clothes I packed last night, I leave for O’Hare with my mom and siblings around 8am. The bags are checked, flight takes off and lands smoothly, and just like that, in Rochester. The goal now is to feel settled. I check into the hotel and get a feel for things before heading out to the course before tomorrow’s practice round. 

You never know when you’re going to get an opportunity in the competitive golf world, so this is continuing to be a lesson and learning experience. Stay in the right mindset always, because you just never know.