Well as I am sure everyone has seen by now I did not manage to successfully get through the first stage of Q School this year in McKinney, Texas. I had rounds of 76-71-73-72 (+4). I purposely waited a little over a week to come on here so I didn't write something on here that I would later regret. Its hard having the pure results tell you straight to your face that this year I am not good enough. Now that I have been able to clear my head a little bit and the dust has settled, I can at least keep my head raised high for fighting hard. I ended up missing by 11 strokes, which roughly translates that I took a little less than 3 shots too many on each of the 4 days. This process of securing status on one of the PGA sanctioned tours is taking longer than I anticipated. Once again my game was not ready for what it takes to get through the grind. Jack Nicklaus was once quoted as saying golf is a game that is a mere 10% physical, while the other 90% is mental. I can be brutally honest that the 90% has been a test that is a work in progress that I still have not passed. I am going to mark that as the number one concern in my 09' campaign. I am going to seek out counsel from several sports psychologists this offseason (December-February) so that I can think correctly with clarity and confidence every stride of every day next year on the golf course. I am currently taking a 3 week break from the game to refocus, relax, and outline what areas of my game need sharpening in 2009 so that I will be ready next year. My tentative schedule for 2009 will revolve around the Canadian Tour, pending qualification through their qualifying process. I can't thank you all enough for your support, and I know that my time is coming. My patience has been tested at every level here in 2008, but I am going to draw a lot of experience over my first full year as a traveling professional. I have been knocked down more times than I can count this year and it hurt, but rest assured I will be back on my feet shortly and ready to go to battle to chase my dream in 2009.

I am not going to sugarcoat it one bit. For how good it felt on Monday to get through, it pains me to say it feel the exact opposite today. I played my worst round of the year today and shot a 78. The course was set up as easy as a course as I have seen in years, and from the moment I started playing today absolutely nothing went right. I was not the least bit nervous starting out. I was calm and confident, but I just didn't show up today. I know I belong with those guys or even at a level higher, but I didn't today. The good news is I have no where to go but up. It is definitely a lonely feeling being at the absolute bottom of the leaderboard, and looking up at some of my friends such as Webb Simpson who had a marvelous 61 today. Going to put this one behind me, and try and go out and execute my routine tomorrow on every shot and add them up at the end. I know one thing, it cant come anywhere even close to as bad as it was today.

After what seemed like a redundant post week after week of how I was so close to breaking through, well, I finally did! I am relieved that finally on my last of 13 Monday qualifiers for the year I got through here in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was the ultimate case of perseverance. I shot a 4 under par 67. What I am most proud of is I turned the front nine in one over. Instead of giving in and hanging my head, I told myself before I struck my first shot on the backside that today was my day. I made five birdies on the back nine and shot 31. I think what led to my great play today actually was the cause of something I did off the course. I missed the cut last week on the Adams Tour in Meridian, Mississippi by one shot after shooting rounds of 73 and 68. I got to thinking and I decided to take a mini vacation where the golf clubs would remain packed securely in the trunk throughout the trip. I went to the Smoky Mountains, which was just one hour east of where I had to play today. I did some great soul searching on a 5 hour/8 mile hike through the Mountains and landed some perspective that will help me for a very long time. With a clear mind, my round today felt effortless. This mystical trip I took seemed to have worked. It was a great chance for me to get away before my "exams" begin October 29th for Q School. This week will provide one final tune up before I make my way down to McKinney Texas for Stage 1. I want to encourage everyone to follow my progress this week on www.pgatour.com I will try to update in a few days.

Just got back home from the Missouri Open in Columbia, Missouri. It was the tale of two nines for me this week. I played the front side in 13 over par for the week, and the back nine in 3 under par for the week. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was sunny and hardly any wind to speak of. For whatever reason, I could get nothing to go right on the front nine, and everything seemed to work well on the back. I am moving my things down to Orlando this week for the Winter. I can not believe how fast the summer disappeared! Starting on October 8th I signed up for an Adams Tour event in Meridian, Mississippi that will hopefully last 4 rounds. From there I will attempt my final Monday qualifying of the year in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 13th. I will then have a gap of time to really get things in place for the First Stage of Qualifying School in McKinney, Texas (just north of Dallas) at Stonebridge Ranch, which begins October 29th. The key for me will be to treat this tournament no differently than any other. I am really looking forward to getting a full months preparation going into that week. Talk to you all soon. Things are coming together, and it is a great time for this to start happening.

Sorry for not updating within the past few days. I just got back in town after a marathon tour of the south. I started my adventure by flying into Jackson, Mississippi for the tour qualifier as I said on the previous post. It took 6 under to get through on this day. The greens were the best surfaced bermuda grass greens I have ever putted on plus they were very receptive, thus yielding low scores. I was on a great pace through 7 holes as I was 3 under. However, my swing failed me over the course of the last 11 holes as I shot 75. Just was not a comfortable day out there for me. I flew into Charlotte, North Carolina that night, before driving over to Augusta the next morning. The Hooters event in Augusta was a pretty decent track. However, for how good the greens were in Jackson, the greens in Augusta were the complete opposite. Absolutely terrible condition. It made putting more luck than skill, and for that matter it was absolutely ridiculous. They converted two of the Par 5's for the week to Par 4's to keep scoring in relation to par from being absurd. The course was very simple. I hit the ball better, but had 7 three putts during the course of the first two rounds. My putting is my bread and butter, so when this fails me, my scores tend to suffer. I finished with 71-70 (+1) to miss the cut for the final time this season. My Hooters Tour experience this summer got me some valuable experience. What I learned is no matter where you go in this country, there are really good players everywhere you turn. I also learned that this summer inspired me to get off the mini tours as quickly as I can. It just isn't very glamorous being stuck in a city like Hawkinsville, Georgia or Joplin, Missouri for a week. I am paying my dues now knowing that someday in the bright future I will be able to look back on this small roadblock and chuckle. I am off to the Missouri Open tomorrow in Columbia, Missouri. I have had this highlighted on the calender for some time now. I really would like to get my first professional win this year, and my old college stomping grounds would be a great place to do it. Two round tournament that starts Friday. Keep you all posted!

Unfortunately I did not get into the Boise Open this year. I missed Monday qualifying again for the event by one shot. I shot a 68, but needed one better. It is hard to complain about a 68 ever, but these Monday qualifiers are so cut throat you need to make a lot of birdies. I am headed back home tonight. I am entered into next week's Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour in Jackson, Mississippi. It will be 78 guys competing for 4 spots. The odds are tough once again, but I am playing well enough to do it. My backup plan is a Hooters event in Augusta, Georgia if I do not get through. This will be the first time I can honestly say I do not want to go to Augusta for a golf tournament. After being down in the dumps Monday night after the qualifier I had a fortune cookie of all things cheer me up. It read "You will climb the ladder of success one rung at at time. Stay patient". I hope that next rung is a successful Monday in Jackson, Mississippi.

Unfortunately the tournament in Hawkinsville was canceled after 36 holes due to a flooded golf course, so I did not have the opportunity to move up. I am back in St. Louis for a couple weeks break. I will return to action up in Boise, Idaho as I attempt to get into the Nationwide Tour event for the week. I had a solid showing at this tournament last year and I really like the course, so I am hoping that I can put together a strong round in the Monday qualifier. I feel this is a good week if the stars line up right, I can contend for a title. I am alternating each day between running and weights during my time off, and cleaning up a few sloppy setup mistakes I found myself getting into the past few weeks. I am looking forward to a little time off and a big win on Saturday for my Mizzou Tigers over Illinois.

I am sitting here in my hotel room in Hawkinsville, Georgia on Saturday. This is indeed a good and bad thing. It is good because it marks the first time this summer that I have made a cut on the Hooters Tour. It is bad because we have seen the affects of Tropical Storm Fay. My game continues to improve each week as I near closer to Q School. The third round was suspended today until 9am tomorrow morning. I shot three under the first two days in a steady hard rain to make the cut on the number. Looking forward to completing this tournament on a strong note and continue building.

Upcoming Schedule

August 14-17, Dothan Classic, Hooters Tour, Dothan, Alabama
August 21-24, ComSouth Classic, Hooters Tour, Hawkinsville, Georgia

I am back home for the week after a tough end to a couple weeks on the road. After finishing up the Southwest Kansas Pro Am in 19th place and making $1500, I was invigorated and excited to venture to Wichita to try my hand at this week's Nationwide event Monday qualifier. I shot 68, and missed qualifying by one shot once again. I lipped out on my last hole for birdie, which stings even more. I guess I can sum up my luck yesterday to everyone with a humorous story at my expense. As we were waiting on the 14th hole to tee off due to a backup, I went to use the bathroom. It was a small bathroom about 5 X 5 feet. After washing my hands, I went to unlock the door. However, the lock on the door would not turn. It felt like 140 degrees inside, and my life flashed before my eyes. I struggled to open the door for the next 7 minutes as I banged, kicked, and yelled for help. Finally with one final thrust, the lock turned, and out I went. My playing partners were more or less rolling on the ground in laughter. Hey, when its not your day, its not your day. As a chlostrophobic, this was a nightmare unlike any other. I have two Hooters events penciled in for the following two weeks in Alabama and Georgia. I am using this week to recharge the batteries and tighten up a few things with my game. My game is great, and I am looking forward to showcasing that shortly.

Wanted to give everyone an update on my midwest swing. I missed getting through the Nationwide monday qualifier in Omaha, Nebraska by three shots. I was in great position to get in the event after turning in 3 under, but I had a mysterious lost ball on my 14th hole that resulted in a double bogey. I would have found this ball 999 times out of 1000, but for some reason it dissappeared and cost me 2 to 3 shots. I am currently in Garden City, Kansas playing in the Southwest Kansas Pro Am. I made the cut and am sitting at 1 over par thru 2 rounds going into the last round tomorrow. The wind blew 30 MPH all day today as I had to play in a sixsome with 5 other amateur partners. This tournament is putting it politely, testing my patience with the 5 and 1/12 hour rounds. I head to Wichita, Kansas tomorrow night after the final round for the Nationwide monday qualifier. I am confident in my game right now, and I know after last weeks unfortunate turn of events, I am due to have a few breaks go my way!

Unfortunately, I missed my last two cuts I have played in. I started at the Waterloo Open in Iowa where I shot 2 under and missed the cut by one. The course was playing tremendously easy, and I just didn't take advantage of the situation fully. I am flying back home from Austin today after missing the cut at this week's Hooters event. I am definitely not an excuses person, but I hadn't putted on bermuda greens since I was in Orlando over the winter. I played decent the first round with an even par 70. However, I had 6 three putts the second round, which cost me making the cut when I registered a 75. I am fired up about my chances to get into the field in one of the next two Nationwide events via Monday qualifying. I play Monday at 10am in Omaha, Nebraska. I am going to get a good nights rest, forget about the past few weeks, and go play a solid round Monday. Keep you posted.
-JK

I want to welcome everyone to my new site. This will be another wonderful avenue for me to keep everyone updated on my successes as I am on the road. I have been quite busy this summer learning every step of the way. There is a lot more to my career than just putting the ball in the hole. There is so much downtime and traveling, but I am having a great time navigating my way around the country. I have definitely taken my share of lumps early in the summer. The good news is my game is getting better each and every day as well as my confidence. Just last week I missed qualifying for the PGA Tour John Deere Classic by one shot. This past month I had a stretch of 10 straight competitive tournament rounds in which I did not shoot over par. This is a great signal that my consistency is improving greatly. I am beginning another long stretch of travel and golf this week, and I look forward to keeping everyone updated every step of the way!

A Round with John

June 23rd - NGA Hooters Tour Classic at Kings Creek
Spring Hill, Tennessee

June 16th - Hooters Tour, The Buffalo CasinoClassic
Miami, Oklahoma

June 9th - Hooters Tour, Daisy Golf Classic
Rogers, Arkansas

June 2nd - US Open Sectional Qualifier
Boone Valley Country Club in St. Louis, MO

May 27th - Qualifier for the Nationwide Tour Event
Chicago, Illinois