Cajun Country

Last tournament stop was in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was nice to get back to our life on tour and I was excited to reunite with some friendly faces on and off tour. Don and Tish Johnson graciously hosted us in there home again. We so enjoyed visiting with them. And oh course our visit to Cajun Country would not have been complete without crawl fish (aka "mud bugs") for dinner. I actually skipped on the crawl fish, but was very entertained watching the locals eat pounds of them loaded up on a tray.
As for the golf, David didn't play bad, just not good enough. He missed the cut by a shot. He hit the ball really well, which is always encouraging; just couldn't get the ball in the hole quick enough. Sunday made our way to Houston for the Shell Open Qualifier. Unfortunately, David didn't qualify for one of the top 4 spots. In fact, 65 (7 under) was in a play off. We had a flight already arranged to fly home and because of David's late tee time we were going to eat the tickets, but then decided I could still make the flight and David could catch another Tuesday morning. I was surprised to meet David in the terminal. He would have needed to birdie all the way in so decided to WD to make the flight home with me.
Now we are home, enjoying the warm weather and downtime. David has been getting plenty of work in this week. Yesterday he made 9 birdies and was so excited. We're ready for that to carry over to next week's tournament.
Monday we leave for San Fransisco and will be traveling three weeks straight. Here we go again!

Update on Panama

Last week, David played his first Nationwide Tournament in Panama. He finished tied for 16 and overall we had a lot of positives to take from the week. First of all, David felt great about his game. He hit the ball really well, his short game was definitely there and finally he witnessed progress with his putting again. He was a bit frustrated with his mistakes off the tee (averaged 2 or 3 over par the first 5 holes for Thurs, Fri and Sat's rounds), but we know those mistakes can be minimized and are not major issues in his golf. Secondly, Tour players are under new club regulations (new groove configurations) so David was playing his first tournament with completely different irons in the bag. Also, he decided to change his ball. While that sounds minor to Joe Golfer, it's a major change for a professional. All-in-all, David was pleased with how he performed with the new clubs.

Next tour stop is Bogota, Colombia and for obvious reasons, we are not making that trip. We're at home the next 2 weeks and then we pack up for Louisiana. Life will resume on the road...

Off Season

We always hear of an off season, but this year we are truly experiencing one! The last couple of months we have really enjoying our new home and time with friends and family. We are in the process of finishing David's hitting room (yes, I agreed to having a hitting room directly above our bedroom). So far we have a tv/monitor in place so David can record his swing action, big nets covering the wall to hit into, holes drilled in the corners of the room for putting and soon we will have the the floor carpeted so David can actually use the room to practice his putting. His work shop is also coming together and he is making good use of his equipment to adjust his clubs. It's quiet the set up; I just live here :)

This winter has been a bear in comparison to our typical mild winter weather. Fortunately, David could use his new room to get in some work. Additionally, David has an agreement with Rex Hospital (sponsor of the Nationwide Tournament in Raleigh) to do some publicity in exchange to using their facilities (locals can look for him in an upcoming commercial). We've both enjoyed this benefit as their gym is one of the best I've seen. Plus, it's less than 5 miles from our home and the TPC where David frequently practices.

That's a nutshell of how we (or David) has been taking advantage of the offseason. I on the other hand, have been trying to get us all settled into the new home and really taking advantage of being here, spending time with great friends. We've been blessed with a lot of guest and extend an invitation to any of our dear friends. Once the season starts up we'll be traveling more than at home. While I'm excited to get back to our tour life, I'm trying not to wish this time at home away. I know I'll miss it!

David's first tournament is in Panama as we both decided long ago we didn't want to do the long trip to Australia and New Zealand again. I will be updating soon on David's venture to Panama. Stay tuned...

Reinstatement Part 2: Conclusion of 2009 PGA Tour Season

David's rookie year on Tour was not as we would have liked it. We entered the season with high ambitions feeling confident in his putting ability and ended rather frustrated because it didn't pan out. He finished the season 160 which means he's back to the Nationwide Tour for 2010. A couple notable highlights from the year was David's great finish in Greensboro and securing his position in the Fed-Ex Playoffs.

If I could give a few words to sum up our season it would be: frustration, perseverance and assurance. Frustration is the emotion we felt; so close but not quiet good enough. Perseverance mean to endure the present; which is exactly what we did during the hard times of golf. As for assurance, that's the greatest blessing of all. We have assurance that God loves us, will not forsake us and has us exactly where He wants us! It hasn't been easy to accept, but in the end we desire to be in God's Will and not our own. Our hope is not in the things of this world... His Son is ultimately what we need; the rest is just life, golf included.

So for 2010, we are getting back in the saddle. David's 08 win on the Nationwide Tour as well as 09 finish on the PGA Tour maintains his status on the Nationwide. The first few events are international ones and David only plans to play in Panama. We will pick up on the regular tour schedule once it resumes in the US.

Thanks to many for you continuous encouragement and support. We have high hopes for this season and look forward to seeing many of you on the golf course.

Much love and many hugs,
Chastity

Reinstatement Part 1: The Big Move

After much deliberation I am reinstating "My Tour Life and Travels!" About the time I stopped updating was when a lot of personal activities hopped in my front seat of priorities. All of June, July and August were consumed with the buying and selling of homes. We have officially moved from 602 Canyon Lake Circle to 415 Barnhill Lane!

Our first winter snow

For a long while David and I have considered a new home. Our townhouse was great, but we were running out of room, craving some privacy and longing to relocate to north Raleigh. We were in a perfect position in the market to take advantage of the low interest and falling house prices. A member of Wakefield and golfer friend took David to see one of his homes about 5 miles from the TPC Wakefield Plantation. The first visit turned into multiple visits. The house offered everything we could ever want: plenty of room, details and characteristics that suited us, a welcoming neighborhood, a little piece of country in the city. David and I set a price and trusted that if it was God's will it would happen... and it did!

My travel plans quickly changed and life became chaotic as I was on mission get it packed, get it sold and get us relocated! David flew to San Antonio and I took a couple days to get the house in order and on the market. I was obsessed with house showing and what people had to say. We were averaging 2-3 showing a week.


Thursday, July 2nd we closed on the new home. While David was in the Midwest playing in a tournament I signed our lives away to 415 Barnhill Lane. Friday the 3rd was moving day. I was hauling boxes with my 2 new Mexican friends. I never seen someone work so hard! That 4th of July was a blur, but I do recall watching fireworks in my bath robe on the back porch overlooking the farmers field. Ahhhh I'm back in the country :-)


I only missed 2 of David's tournament, but resumed my position on the road. A couple weeks after the move our realtor called to say we had an offer on 602 Canyon Lake Circle. A few counters later it was sold! What a blessing to not worry about maintaining 2 homes. In August we closed on our townhouse and now it was time to do the fun stuff... decorate! Six months later I am still consumed with getting the house in order. Looking back I realize God kept me sane enough so David could focus. We are now happily settled and loving our new home. You are welcome to visit anytime!!

Graceland!

While in Memphis for the Saint Jude's tournament we spent some downtime in Graceland touring Elvis' home. I was in complete awe of Elvis Presley and all he accomplished! Walking through his home was very enchanting. It felt like being in a time capsule. The walls were upolstered, dark wood paneling was throughout the house, and who could forget the funky 70s colors!?! One room in particular was bright yellow, navy and white. Another was complete jungle themed with faux fur and animal carved furniture. Elvis was also a fan of shag green carpet because it was on both the floor and ceiling! Not exactly my style, but I'm sure it was fashionable for the 70s. Here are a few pics from our trip:

The Presley Mansion

Amazing! This room was completely wall to wall gold records.

Elvis Presley's pink Cadi. Although his mother, Gladys never drove he always said it was her car.

Elvis was originally buried beside his mother's grave, but his father, Vernon had both sites moved to the grounds of the Presley home to protect there remains from all the crazy people who can't get enough of Elvis!

David shows the way into one of Elvis' plane. He bought this plane for $250k and spent $800k to change the interior. That was in the late 60s. Imagine what that would equate to today?!

Been Preoccupied...

Hi Folks!



Things have been busy with the Mathis two-some lately and has had me completely preoccupied. Sorry for the no posts!


Quick updates:


San Antonio was no good. David shot 5 over his first day putting himself behind the eight-ball and though Friday's round was much better he needed a low score to make the cut.

Byron Nelson was a much better tourney. David was frustrated with Thursday's round, but put together good rounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Patrick Kelley, David's teacher came out for the week which was a huge help to David.

Unfortunately, David did not get in the next two invitations (Colonial and Memorial). Monday David had the British Open Qualifier in Plano, TX and though he played 2 great rounds he missed getting in by 1 shot! He turned in a -9 and -10 or better got in the event. We flew home Tuesday night (week of Colonial) for the Nationwide Rex Hospital event in Raleigh. How convenient!! David had a great tourney at home and it was fun seeing all the locals supporting the home team :-) David finished 3rd, which was a nice confidence boaster.

Last week was a nice week at home, though David had the urge to join his friend Jay in Vegas. I decided to stay home, since I had a friend coming in town and a booked of Saturday. Plus, I'm a huge fan of stacations! We spend so much time away from home there's something to be said about actually being at home. David flew in from Vegas on Friday night and was out to Memphis on Saturday to prepare for the US Open Qualifier (Monday, Jun 8). David's not in the Open so we well be home again next week. This might turn out to be a blessing since we are moving within a month!

Currently, I am sitting in ATL waiting for my flt to Memphis. I have a dinner date with my hubby as soon as he picks me up from the airport. :-)

Janet will be joining us tomorrow. Aside from good golf, we are excited to experience Graceland! This will surely require another update!