Tour News
Jordan Holley blog: Pure strikes and shanks
By Jordan Holley
GolfWRX Contributor
Jordan Holley, 28, is a mini-tour player pursuing his dream of earning a PGA Tour card. He graduated from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., where he was an NCAA All-American and a member of the Cleveland Golf Academic All-American First Team. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 2008, and since turning professional has played on the NGA Hooters and eGolf tours, as well as other minor league tours.
So, since I last left you last time I’ve gotten my feet wet again and back into competition. I played last week in a NGA Pro Golf Tour (formerly the Hooters Tour) event in Windsor, N.C. at Scotch Hall Preserve. Let me start at the beginning.
I booked a one-way flight from my home base in West Palm Beach, Fla., up to Raleigh, N.C. and met up with my longtime friend Nathan Stamey. I hopped in his car and we hit the road. We stayed with a close friend of mine in Raleigh and made the three-hour drive to the middle of nowhere, Windsor, N.C., the next morning. I have to pause here to tell you just what this place is like. First of all, the only hotel we could find room in was the local Super 8 … not so super. This was the week of the Masters and our small, basically black-and-white TV didn’t get ESPN! There were only three restaurants that were not fast food and the entire town shut down around 8:30 p.m. Anyway, we had a solid two days of practice and I went into my first round brimming with confidence.
I had a 1:50 p.m. tee time the first round but after a three-hour rain delay for the first wave, we only got three holes in during some favorable weather and I played them two-under. The next day we woke up to an early morning high of 45 degrees and the wind blowing more than 25 mph off the large lake surrounding the course. Twelve hours later and 33 holes in, I blew a chance to make a move heading into the weekend after a solid day with a crushing triple bogey on the tough ?17th hole at Scotch Hall. Now I had to wait around and see if I even made the cut! I did not, and after a little self-loathing, I headed back to the room to lick my wounds and reflect on the day.
The next two days I caddied for Nate and got some good practice in. It was a tough course and even tougher conditions. A friend of mine, Mark Silvers, won the four-day event at eight under, a testament to the teeth the course showed. Now it was on to trying to figure out my next step. I was down to a VERY limited bank account after forking over the $1300 entry fee plus another $500 in travel expenses. The guys who offered the sponsorship help (read about it in my last update here) had not yet agreed on the terms.
I finally reached out to the potential sponsors and told them I felt good about my game and needed to play again. They obliged and signed me up for the eGolf event at St James this past week. It’s a course that demands every part of your game to be sharp and the tour officials did a fantastic job setting up a stern test.
It turned out to be too stern for me in the first round, where I struggled mightily to shot a four-over 76. Here is where my week and potentially my year made a turn for the better. I teed off the next day determined to make a move and I did. I shot the second-lowest round of the day on the demanding Founders Club course at St. James, and posted a five-under 67 with a bogey on the par five 17th hole. This got me to the weekend and I wasn’t done yet. Another five-under 67 the next day, this time at the Reserve Club tied me for the low round of the day and put me in the final group — only one shot back heading into Saturday’s final round.
The final round was close to a flawless early, as I was six-under through 11 holes. I stumbled with a few bogeys heading in including one on No. 17. Again, it was a par five. Sensing a trend yet? I did not play the par fives very well, which is a must for professional golfers. I got a great practice in following the round and slept like a baby with nothing but opportunity in front of me.
I woke up the next morning, had a nice stretch, breakfast and I was off to finish what I started. I warmed up well and in front of a fairly decent gallery I striped my first shot with a three wood right down the middle. I felt as comfortable as I ever have in similar positions as I walked down the first fairway. I approached my second shot and had a perfect number to the flag, 145 yards with a slightly helping wind. I stepped up with my pitching wedge anticipating a short birdie putt upcoming. I then proceeded to SHANK my wedge basically out of play. Needless to say, I was speechless and a little unnerved as I approached my next shot. I was stymied behind a tree and had to pitch out sideways. I chipped out, wedged on the green and two putted for double bogey.
In one of the weirdest rounds of golf in my life, I shanked three irons out of play, made four birdies (including one at the last hole in front of the largest gallery I have played for) and grinded my tail off to shoot 77. I hit six greens, had 25 putts and made three double bogeys. Long story short, I blew another chance at a great paycheck and didn’t even realize how fast it happened. I KNOW that I can close better than that and I am sitting in the car on the way home from Orlando piecing together just what happened in the last few days. What am I supposed to learn from all of it? I don’t know yet, but I know I will come out stronger as a result (or at least a little smarter).
I just finished an audition for the Golf Channel’s “Big Break” and as hard as it was to tell them about this past Saturday, I did. While I was sharing my whole life story as well with them, I realized that this journey I am on isn’t near the finish line, but closer to the beginning.
My goal is to reach people that are traveling down the same road as me – trying to make a living doing something they love. I’m currently reading a book by Matthew Syed, “Bounce,” which resonated with me.
?”Purposeful practice is about striving for what is just out of reach and not quite making it; it is about grappling with tasks beyond current limitations and falling short again and again. EXCELLENCE is about stepping outside the comfort zone, training with a spirit of endeavor, and accepting the inevitability of trials and tribulations. PROGRESS is built, in effect, upon the foundations of necessary failure. That is the essential paradox of EXPERT performance.”
Click here to read all of Jordan’s blog entries.
You can follow Jordan on Twitter @J_Holley6under or on www.jordanholleygolf.com.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Golf Simulator
Sep 8, 2012 at 5:50 am
I’m impressed. You’re truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. I’m saving this for future use.
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Three Guys Golf Blog
Apr 17, 2012 at 12:25 am
Very cool post. I actually have signed up for a CGA Tournament at Scotch Hall in May. Looks like a great track although I am sure there will be a few shanks on my part as well.