May 10, 2010

Hello from Hershey, PA.  We arrived in Hershey on Saturday afternoon, greeted by high winds and a rough plane ride.   Since we arrived we have seen both courses we will play for the championship and enjoyed great hospitality in The Sweetest Place On Earth.  You have no trouble finding chocolate any where you go around town, whether it is the hotel or a restaurant or the golf course. 

The two courses we are playing are the Hershey Country Club East Course and Hershey Links Golf Club.  The two courses are very nice, distinctly different, and in outstanding condition.  Without question, these venues will be great tests for all of the players.   

Let me fill you in on the format the NCAA Division III Golf National Championships.  We have 37 teams beginning the championship tomorrow (Tuesday) with half of the field on each course.  On Wednesday the teams will switch courses, so each team has played the two courses once.  After round two on Wednesday, the field will be cut to 23 teams and all of the teams will continue on the Hershey Links Golf Course for the final two rounds.  

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we start on the Hershey Country Club East Course.  This is a classic old country club layout with several elevated greens.  The greens are firm and fast, if we can avoid the rain tomorrow the golf course could play very difficult.  For us to be successful we will need to stay patient and focused, and chip and putt the ball very well. 

You can follow the play live on www.golfstat.com where the scores will be updated after every three holes.  I will let you know how things are going on Wednesday after the second round.  Thanks for your support and I'll talk to you soon.