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by Brian Breedan PDGA # 37773

The Sherando Spartan in Virginia (Sherando) came and went... I feel like I want to share my story about that tournament. It was really something special for me. Keep in mind, this is my first year playing tournaments, year and half of experience/casual...

Coming into this event my season did not start well. I played advanced at Loriella, had this confidence... arrogance even that I was going to do well. I placed in the last group and it opened my eyes and I told myself I need to step down to Intermediate and try again. So I did that and played the Spartan. This is my home course, I knew I had to come out and do well. I have put the time and effort in, it was going to be my day. I had this feeling, it had to happen there was no alternative.

First round I played spectacular. -4 coming into the last two holes. 50 footer for a birdie on 14... hit center and high and bounced out. No big deal, on to 17 (The order was funny due to the added holes). Bad drive, decent upshot, 20 feet to go. Hit center... and high and bounced out for a 4, -3 into round two. I had the lead by two stokes going into the longs. I went home for lunch and watched Tiger Woods clips, it kept me focused.

Came back out for round two, lost my two stroke lead by going 4,4, on 14 and 17 putting me tied as my competitor pared them both. To make a long story short my confidence wavered, my momentum came and gone as I fought so hard to keep the other 3 guys back. They all made strong runs on holes, while I came back on others. It was a battle. Until we come up to hole 10...

From the longs its about 430 feet to the hole. I place one right down the middle of the fairway, 150 to go. I flub the next shot 50 feet to the right and short. At this point 3 of us are tied and they are parked for threes. Walking up to that shot I knew... I had to make it. If I made it I was going to win. 5 Holes to go and I knew that putt was going to make the difference. Stepped up, no hesitation, and bang, dead center for a par save that gave me that last boost to make it the rest of the way. I birdied 15 to put me ahead by one and held on, winning by one stroke and my first tournament win.

It might sound absurd but since then I have had this confidence in any round I play. No matter the course I play well. I have never won before, now that I have, I know I can do it... so I do. Went out today shot -6 which bested the next best guy in our group by 1. A friend of mine said, "You have to know how to win, before you can win." Well I know how to win now, so I am looking forward to the future events.