Pre-Season 2002

16 December, Heading to Inverness
Despite the Scottish weather I am on my way to Skibo Castle for some more coaching with David. I played 18 holes last Saturday for the first time since I got back from Spain and everything was surprisingly good! I have spent most of the time doing fitness work in the gym, especially after my trip to my trainer in Dundee. He has now got me doing weightlifting and squats and I am discovering muscles I didn't know I had. The Challenge Tour does not start until March so I am considering going away for some warm weather practice in February to get myself ready. I'll post the my Tour schedule on the site when it is available. In the meantime thank you all for your support and emails and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Speak to you in the New Year. David

7 January, A New Challenge
Happy New Year to you all and I hope you have a successful golfing year. I had one of my old US university friends over for New Year, so I have just about recovered from all the celebrations! I have just heard today about the first four events on the 2002 Challenge Tour and these are listed on the Schedule page. Three of them are in Africa, starting with the Kenyan Open on my birthday! Hopefully I'll be able to get some warm weather training in the US with my coach David organised for late January. At the moment we have been practicing in the slightly less balmy conditions of Scotland and things have been going well. I have been focusing on getting more width into my backswing to keep it wide at the top and getting my left leg rotating better through impact for better trajectory and distance. So far it seems to be working well and I would like to thank Ian Young at the Braid Hills Driving Range for letting me use their excellent facilities to practice. I'll update you more with my travel plans before I head West. Cheers, David

22 January, Practicing Hard
Getting lots of practice in at the moment, but not much playing, as the weather is not conducive to golf at the moment. However I am off to the USA on 1 February for some warm weather golfing for 10 days. I am going to Charleston, where I was at Uni, to stay with two of my best friends there. It will be great to see them again and get the sun on my back. I was up at Skibo Castle last week with my coach David and we are happy that all the changes have slotted into place, so I am keen to get on the course. I have just got the Challenge Tour schedule through and I expect to play in around 22 of the 26 events through the year and I update the site schedule later this week. Speak to you soon, David

28 January, Getting Ready for the USA
I am leaving on Friday for the States and I can't wait to get there! My new clubs arrived today from Titleist for this year. I have been trying them out the Braid Hill's range and they feel very good so I can't wait to put them into use. I'll try to get some reports back from the US to update the site. You may have seen the site promoted in today's Evening News, which is great exposure for me and my sponsors. Hopefully I will have some great stories for you from the Challenge Tour soon. Cheers, David

14 February, Back from the States
I arrived back on Tuesday after 10 excellent days in 80 degree temperatures playing golf. Needless to say it was a bit of a shock coming back to Scottish weather! I had a great time catching up with old friends from Charleston University and now that I am a tour pro, it had to be one of my most sober times there! I played several rounds on our old College courses at Kiawah Island and it was great to putt on really quick greens again. There are many other courses there apart from the Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, so if you get the chance it's well worth the visit. I am flying out to Africa for the first Challenge Tour event in 10 days so I spent most of today filling out visa forms before heading to the gym. I am off to Elie this weekend for some time with the family and to play a couple of rounds on the links up there. I'll keep you up to date with the final preparations. Cheers, David.

28 February, Sameer Kenya Open, Kenya
Well, it's my birthday today and what a day! I haven't slept the last two nights and was up all of last night but I will spare you the details! I woke up this morning with the shakes and the shivers, so needless to say I have had to withdraw from the tournament. Not really the way I wanted to start the season and my new career, but I now just want to make sure that I feel better and will be able to play next week. So for now, I'm back off to bed! I'll update you later on when I feel a bit better. Cheers, David

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