It has been a busy month since I last left you.  A lot has happened both good and bad, but in life you must carry on no matter what cards you are dealt.  I finished up the Maine Open in the Northeast tip of our country with a great chuckle and a golfing story I will be able to cherish the rest of my life.  I shot a poor 72 the first day to leave me well back of the leaders heading into the final round in this short 36 hole event.  I wanted to set the world on fire with my second round with a bushel of birdies, but that didn't happen.  Far from actually.  I recorded 18 straight pars for an even par 70.  I had birdie putt after birdie putt that slid by the hole.  By the end of my round, I couldn't help but laugh it off.  What stunk even more was the fact that I missed cashing a check by 1 shot as well.  Golf is cruel, but making 18 straight pars was one part maddening and one part glamorous.
 
    From there I headed up to Calgary to try my luck again in the PGA Tour Canada's ATB Financial Classic.  It turned out to be a perfect week of weather, however I was only around for two days on the course to see it.  As I mentioned, this was a great opportunity to kick start something great through this tour with positive results that offers Web.com status incentives, official world golf ranking points on the line, and more.  I unfortunately made the mistake of pressing the first day as I was unable to get that out of my mind.  At the end of the day it is just golf, and there was no reason to get that amped up over a round of golf.  I shot a 77 the first day and put myself basically out of the tournament.  I settled down the second day to a 70, but it was too little too late.  I learned a precious lesson during that first day.  Don't let the magnitude of any event sway my attitude in any form.  Every tournament should be dealt with the same.  I need to formulate a great game plan that is flexible for changing conditions.  I need a strong practice routine leading up to the event, and I need to step up to the first tee fearless whether it is the US Open or heck, the Little Sisters of the Poor Pro Am in middle of nowhere, America.  I didn't do that in Canada.  I quickly moved on and was fortunate to enjoy the next five days with my parents in Banff, Alberta and Lake Louise, Alberta.  Two of the most beautiful places I have laid my 28 year old eyes on.  If you haven't been, I'd strongly encourage a vacation to Banff sometime in your life. 

    I got back to the states and began a 4 week stretch playing in the Midwest for State Opens.  I began at the Iowa Open with strong iron play, but really poor par 5 performance and had to settle for a tie for 36th.  I moved on to the next week in Edmond, Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Open.  Through two rounds I had played absolutely beautifully and stood a few shots off the lead in 6th place heading into the final round.  It was the first time in a long time that I was staring right down the barrel at the leaders.  I can honestly say heading into that last round I was ready to go out and play exceptional golf.  I wasn't focused on results.  I was focused on the process.  My body and mind were all in sync and ready to go get it done.  Unfortunately I just didn't have my best stuff the last round.  I shot 76 and went tumbling down the leaderboard.  I know it was just a one round apparition and I regrouped and forgot about it. 

    Last week, golf was put directly on the back burner.  The picture above is of my 10 year old Golden Retriever, Dooley.  My family had to put her to sleep as her body was ravaged with cancer.  She had a wonderful life, and changed my Mom, Dad, and my life for the better.  Every day of her life she filled us with unconditional love.  It didn't matter if I walked in the door after shooting 80 or it was my birthday, she was there to greet me with a dog smile.  If people could have the attitude dogs resonate all their life, we would all be better for it.  I'm going to miss Dooley, but I will carry with me the attitude and love she gave.  Golf doesn't seem so important now does it?!  This week is the Missouri Open in my old college town of Columbia, Missouri.  A golf tournament is exactly what I needed to get back to the real world and use my time on the course as a way of healing mentally.  I'm ready to keep the momentum rolling and am excited to go to bed each night a better golfer and person than when I woke up.  Regardless of how this week turns out I have a lot to look forward to.  I conclude the state open tour next week with the Nebraska Open, then leave September 20th for the first stage of European Tour Q School in Lisbon, Portugal.  When I return to the US, my first stage of US Q School begins October 15th just north of Houston, Texas at the Woodlands.  The Fall is here and it is a great time to be playing well.  I'm looking forward to enjoying life and competing with a great attitude.  Dooley would be proud.  Look right here in a month for updated results.