Future Tour Golf And The Internet

It was pure agony sitting in front of a computer screen on a Sunday afternoon and every twenty minutes or so watch a score card of Cousin Lauren Doughtie or focus on the leader board that had very little information and then up pops another hole and score.

Lauren Doughtie who at best now in her third year on the Futures Tour, she joined mid summer 2009 after graduating from State can best be described as a not so promising future in golf.  Her best finish in a tournament was 24th and her pay check that day was a whopping $500.

Something happened to her game back in late May and she won the qualifying tournament in Pinehurst to Qualify for the U S Open.  Two rounds in the 80's and her stop didn't last long at the Open.  But it seems to me that just qualifying has given her more MO  JO  as last week in her first Futures Tour event since the U S Open she shot 141 the  first two rounds until a 78 sent her falling into the pack.

Her first two rounds this week at the International in Concord New Hampshire she opened with a 71 which was good for at tie  for 15th after round one.  Her best professional round to date on Saturday 67 moved her up to tie for 5th two shots out of the lead .

The first nine on Sunday she was 2 under but four shots back as Lauren made the turn at nine.  Birdies at 11-12 and 14 and Lauren Doughtie's name shoots to the top of leader board as the  leader falters but  another player birdies 12 and 14 and passes Lauren.   Oh My God this is pure agony watching a golf match on the internet by score card.  This is not live streaming only watch every time they up date score card.  Hole 16 Lauren birdies again and is tied for the lead after 16.  Jessica Shepley( a six year Futures Tournament Veteran) the girl she is tied with is one hole behind Lauren and fails to birdie 16.  Both par 17.

Please call an ambulance I am about to have a heart attack this thing is going to the wire. Lauren pars 18 and is in the club house tied for the lead as Jessica Shepley  hits her second shot on the green ten feet from the hole.  One putt and she wins two putts and a playoff.  Shepley birdies to win and an arrow shoots through my heart.  Lauren finishes second.

Golf is an individual sport where all you can do is your best.  Lauren Doughtie has just had her best tournament as a pro and will finish second.  She shot her best score as a pro  on Saturday shooting 67.  Sunday she  shot a bogie free 66.  You can't play much better than that.  Her best finish until Sunday was 24th and now a second. She had a tournament where she didn't falter and  charged to the finish. Sure sounds like the future is brighter.  Just maybe this week was get over the hump week  and start being in contention every week.  Just maybe qualifying for the U S Open boosted her morale  and has given her another level mentally.  The last two weeks she sure is playing some golf.  We do have to get her on a tour that she can be on TV.  This watching on the internet is a killer.

Way to go Lauren!

Legion Tournament is down to four.  Cherryville is the only undefeated team left plays Wayne Co at seven tonight while Wilmington plays Rowan Co this afternoon.