October 2001

31 October, PGA Tour of Australasia's Qualifying School, 4th Round 73 (+2)
Unfortunately when I needed a low round I did not get it. 73 left me 5 over par for the tournament and I missed the four round cut by four shots. I am very disappointed after having travelled so far, but I made too many mistakes over the four rounds and you just can't do that in the pro game. It's too complicated to get an early flight to Spain for Stage 2 of the European Tour School which starts next Tuesday. I am therefore relaxing here for a couple of days and flying out on Sunday to arrive Monday morning. That is a four rounder so I will need a better start than here and I will hopefully be able to update you with my scores when I get there. Cheers, David

30 October, PGA Tour of Australasia's Qualifying School, 3rd Round 70 (-1)
Better today but not quite good enough. I putted well but made too many stupid mistakes, especially towards the end of the round where I made 3 bogeys in the last 5 holes. The weather is very very hot out here - it was 35 degrees today - so the conditions are certainly presenting a challenge. I am currently outside the top 100, so I have a lot of work to do tomorrow to make the top-60 cut for the last two rounds. Cheers David.

29 October, PGA Tour of Australasia's Qualifying School, 1st Round 72 (+1), 2nd Round 74 (+3)
So far, not so good. Yesterday in the first round of 72 over the Nudgee GC North Course, I played pretty well, but only made one birdie. I drove the ball the best I have for a while, but hit few poor pitches and missed a number of good birdie putts. Today I played OK but my pitching was shocking. I hung in until the last 3 holes, which were a bit disastrous. Currently I am tied 115th, twelve shots off the pace, so I have work to do. NOT in a good mood. David

24 October, Brisbane Australia
G'day from down under where the sun is shining, unlike Scotland from what I hear. Got here last week for the first stage of the Australian Tour School and found out the day before the event that I had an exemption to the final stage due to my amatuer record. That's fine by me as I can get some more practice in good conditions. The final stage starts on Sunday and lasts until Friday at the Nudgee course in Queensland. You can follow the scores live at the Australian PGA site and I will try to update you when I can. By the way I believe that there is an article in today's Evening News about my turning pro. I am glad my coach doesn't think I am a chopper! David

10 October, Heading for the Highlands
Unfortunately I have had no practice since I got back from Austria as I hve been in bed with a virus. I feel half decent today and am on my way up to Skibo to see David my coach for a few days. Then it will be back to Elie for a bit more practice before heading out to Australia next week for the Tour school. Arranging flights is a bit of a nightmare as I want to get back to Spain for the European Tour qualifying on my return. The problems of being on Tour! I'll let you know how the practice went before I head down under. David

4 October, San Paolo Vita & Asset Management Open, 2nd Round, 73 (+1)
Played very solid again but the putter and the brain not working very well. Starting on the 10th I did not get off to the start I needed with only a par at the par 5 11th, bogeyed 12, birdied 14 and bogeyed 15 to turn one over. A birdie at my 16th and an ugly bogey 6 at the last left me one over par and well above the cut mark of -4. First missed cut in five events so I should be happy with that achievement, but I am very tired and am looking forward to getting home for a few day's rest. After that I intend going to see my coach at Skibo Castle and waiting to see if I can get into any more Challenge Tour events before Q-School. Thanks for your support and emails. David.

3 October, San Paolo Vita & Asset Management Open, 1st Round, 73 (+1)
Played very solid to the turn with 8 pars and a birdie before slack concentration saw me 3 putt from 15 feet for a par 5 at the 11th. I got a bit frustrated and sloppy after that and dropped a couple of shots on the way home for 73. The course is very easy so I am going to have to go low tomorrow - and keep my concentration better! David

1 October, New Challenge
Got back last night and found out that I have got into the next Challenge Tour event in Italy. The concisely named San Paolo Vita & Asset Management Open at Margara, which is about 100k from Milan. It starts on Wednesday so I am flying to London and staying overnight before catching the plane to Italy in time for a practice round or two. If I can also get into the last two events and play well, there is still a chance to qualify for next year's Challenge Tour if I can get into the top 120 with at least 6 events played. Still a lot of golf to be played this season. Speak to you from Italy...David

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