I can recall from my childhood when I was in 3rd grade and everyone on my sports team received a trophy just for participating.  I never understood quite why this became common practice in youth sports.  There is a winner and there is a loser.  Unfortunately this week I came out on the wrong end of the stick.  My run in 2011 here in America is over.  I am in excruciating pain inside right now after my stateside season came to a resounding and much-to-quick end after bowing out in the First Stage.  I sat in my car yesterday in shock and cried for over an hour.  It was the only thing yesterday that actually felt good.  I have had such a consistent year in terms of putting up the numbers needed to get through Q School all year.  I made 14 of 16 cuts in tournaments this summer and that is a remarkable feat.  However, when the chips were down this week in Pinehurst, NC I just didn't have any gas in the tank for whatever reason.  Through the 1st two rounds I was inside the number to advance, but over the course of the last two days I signed for back to back 77s, my highest two rounds of the year.  What an unfortunate time of year for this to happen. Golf is a fickle game, and there is nothing guaranteed in my trade.  You have to go out and reprove yourself time and time again.
    So where do I head from here?  I am going to use the next couple days to sit back and let my emotions run their course.  From there I am going to analyze and put together a strict outline for the remainder of my 2011.  The beautiful news that still remains is I still have a pulse.  My year is far from over.  I navigated through first stage of European Tour Q School a few weeks ago in Portugal, and I have my eyes locked sternly on the target ahead: a 2012 card on the European Tour.  This would be a life changer for sure, and it all is well within reach.  I leave for Spain exactly one week from today.  What will it take to get through the Second and Final Stage of European Q School.  A steady diet of the same things I have been doing.  Hard work, complete inner belief in myself, and creating a great game plan each time I step foot on the golf course. 
    As I'm sure most all of you saw last night, the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series in dramatic fashion.  What the Cardinals accomplished over the last two months complete embodies everything that is great about sports.  In late August, everyone had written this team off, and they had every reason to fold up their tents.  What they did sends chills down my spine.  The St. Louis Cardinals are going to be my inspiration every day for the rest of the year.  They battled through adversity, and when I find myself in similar situations, I need to look no further than my hometown sports team to show it is well within reach.  My story is just beginning to be written.  Right now I am at a low point, but I know the sun will rise tomorrow and as I move forward I am going to move on from this sadness and heartbreak into a stronger man than I was before last week.  One poor performance doesn't define who I am.  I am an elite golfer that is waiting patiently for my turn.  In a little over one month's time, I am going to be ready to go to battle and unleash my complete potential.  Thanks for reading and your support.  I'll be dusting myself off shortly and be ready to get back into the saddle.  Forward march!