My Tour Life and Travels

Sunday, February 28, 2010

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

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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!!

Friday, June 12, 2009

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?!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

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!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

602 Canyon Lake Circle FOR SALE!!!

Big news!! David and I bought a new home this week! We have been looking to move to North Raleigh for a while now. In fact, prior to David's win last year he always said if he won on tour and secured the 10+ years of status at the TPC then we would move to be closer to the club. Well, that didn't happen because we got trigger shy or maybe the right opportunity didn't come along. Regardless, we have been looking but to no avail. Last week, one of the members at the TPC who happens to be a home builder mentioned to David that he had a home with "bells and whistles" in Wake Forest. We never really considered Wake Forest but it's only 5 miles from the TPC so was worth taking a look. David liked, I liked and after several days of deliberation we decided to make an offer. Monday morning David presented the offer in writing and it was accepted! No need to negotiate! Keep in mind we were scheduled to fly to San Antonio, TX Monday afternoon. David went on with that plan, but I stayed home to get our house ready for the market. 3 days of back aching moving, hauling, packing, cleaning and meeting with the realtor and the house is officially FOR SALE. I'm in San Antonio now, but know our house got it's first showing on it's first day of listing. Hope that's a good sign! Fingers crossed....

Quail Hollow... a bit closer to home

We arrived late Sunday night from New Orleans, picked up our bags, were greeted by volunteers for Quail Hollow and given our car for the week. Since we drove our own car from home to Charlotte prior to the tournament, I had a perfect opportunity to go home for a night to catch up on some things. I hardly had time to breath! Rush here, do this, do that and be back in Charlotte before 4pm on Tuesday. I managed though! The Tour Wives Association along with Avon Foundation were charged with a charity function called "Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence." All proceeds benefited local shelters for women of domestic violence and all in all over $65,000 was raised to help these women. My friend and old room mate Holly joined in for the 5 mile walk. We figured it would allow plenty of time to chat and catch up since we hadn't seen each other in several months. We didn't account for how winded we would be in the process! It was great to spend time with Holly.
The tournament went much like others. David got off to a good start Thursday, made the cut, but didn't have one of his better finishes. We were fortunate to have many friends and family come out to join us for the weekend. Thank you all for your encouragement and support!!