andrew scott jensen

Now that I have had some time to reflect on my first tournament out on the Tour, here are some of things that I experienced and learned from the Spring International.

ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere at this event was great, much like the atmosphere of a PGA Tour event.  We were treated like Kings.  This was hard for me at first because I don’t really think that I’m such a big deal.  The difference from this to amateur tournaments was so big, I loved it.  It took me some time to adjust to it, but as of right now I really feel that the atmosphere and treatment is something I now embrace and am not overwhelmed by.

THOUGHTS
My thoughts for the first 9 holes on Thursday were awful.  I took myself far too seriously and tried to think and act in a way that was the opposite of my personality.  This over seriousness was me trying to be a “pro golfer”, not Andrew playing golf professionally. Once this foreign personality crept in, foreign thoughts followed.  The main thoughts that got into my head were thoughts of the cut.  6 holes into the tournament I was thinking about the cut!  I was 3 over through 6 and started wondering what the cut would be and  started fearing that I would miss it.  As you can guess, I went on to bogey the next 2 holes because I was focusing my thoughts on the wrong thing.  On the 9th tee I snapped out of it and returned to being myself.  I still made mistakes, but at least I was myself and not trying to be someone else.

From that experience I had a goal for the second round: by myself and focus on the shot at hand and nothing else.  I figured I needed a 67 to make the cut, but never gave up when I felt it might be out of reach.  I kept my head much like I did at Q School and broke par for the first time as a Pro.  If I can continue working on this, great things will happen with my game.

EARLY WEEK ROUTINE
For me to perform well week in and week out, I will need to find a strong routine for the Monday-Wednesday part of the week.  Those 3 days are the days where my goal is to be 100% prepared and 100% confident for the tournament rounds.  About 3 years ago, I saved an article that Aaron Baddeley wrote for the Golf Channel.com.  I saved it because I new it would be important in my future.  In the article Badds describes what his Tuesday’s are like on tour.  I will do my best to copy that Tuesday routine.  From that I will be able to create routines for Monday and Wednesday.

TOURNAMENT ROUND ROUTINE
I will need to develop a routine during the rounds of the tournament, a routine that will allow me to maintain, or improve certain things about my game.  I will need to really figure out the right amount of practice needed after each round.  I will also need to figure out what exercise routines will fit best during the tournament rounds.  Unfortunately, I could only figure out half of this puzzle since I only played 2 rounds, haha!  I plan for next week being a time for me to figure out what to do during the 4 tournament rounds.

PROCESS
This tour, much like any tour is a process.  Each round builds into the next.  There is no time to get caught up on the last round you played, you must always focus on the next.  Doing this will help me improve as the year goes on.  If I can build on Friday’s round; even though I missed the cut, next week can be a great event.  This is a year long tour and even if I missed this cut, there is lots of time to improve and begin to climb the leader boards.

I BELONG
Ultimately, I feel like I belong out here.  I don’t feel like I’m in over my head or that I really can’t compete.  I feel that my game, body, and mind are very strong, if not the strongest out here.  I just need to tap into more of my potential.  Feeling like I “fit” out here will make it a lot easier to see and find my unused potential.  If I felt like I really was in over my head, it would be hard to believe that I have potential to compete, which would make it next to impossible to tap into any kind of unused potential.

On a side note, yesterday I went to the Monterey Peninsula and played golf at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club.  It was spectacular.  The best part was driving along the 17 mile drive and seeing every course out there.

Having said that, I saw Pebble Beach!  It was something that blew me away.  When we turned a corner and I saw the length of 18 from the other side of the Bay, I yelped like a little girl.  Someplace that seemed so distant and unreachable for a kid from Ottawa was right in front of me.  It was beautiful.  I went into the Lodge and saw the 18th green and also saw a few holes on both nines.  Now, I can’t wait to actually set foot on the course and tee it up.  At least the initial shock and jitters will be come since I have already been there.

That moment was something that made me realize how truly blessed I am to be doing this.  My perspective was rocked yet again for the 100th+ time in the past few weeks.  I get to travel the world, play the game Ilove and see some of the most historic places out there.  How cool is that?

Ultimately, this opportunity is because of all of the people that help me out.  Thank you so much!  Thank you to all my financial supporters, emotional supporters, and all the people that are doing something to allow me this opportunity.  You are all a blessing and I will never forget all that you are doing.  I can’t wait to come back to Ottawa and see so many of you.  I come back May 9th for 4 days, it will be so great.

Off to watch Immelman win The Masters(I Hope)…