Midwest-West Blog

Posted by scratch on 13-1-2010 8:44 pm - 0 comments

Hello again, Scratch golfers! The last month has come and gone in an absolute flash. Since the last blog entry, the Nationwide Tour has completed the “Midwest Swing” with the final event of the series taking place in Scranton, PA and has begun the “Western Swing” of the tour, with events in Mexico (no, not very western), Salt Lake City (now we’re talking) and Boise. Yours truly has been on site every week except for Mexico. No reps traveled to Mexico, so players simply had to dance with the ones they brought for once!

Since the introduction of the 8620 wedges, we’ve seen a big jump in our numbers here at Scratch Golf. Turns out guys on tour love a clean, simple, effective cast wedge. We set a new standard for clubs in play in Scranton. With 27 wedges in play and a set of irons to boot, we had 35 total clubs in the field, which is a new single-event record for us. With fourteen players in the field gaming Scratch wedges, that, too, was a new single-event record. The week of Scranton was an exceptional one for us, and one that would definitely help us with our growing numbers as the tour progresses!

The week after Scranton was Mexico. Like I mentioned, I didn’t head south of the border. In fact, not even a full complement of players headed to Mexico. Anyone and everyone who was eligible to get into the field got in. Apparently, those who didn’t go missed out on an extremely well-executed event at a quality golf course. They also missed out on the stomach issues that a fair number of players ended up with down there. Everyone knows you don’t drink the water. Now everyone knows why, with quite a few finding out the hard way!

However, just because I didn’t head south of the border, doesn’t mean I didn’t head south. We’re working on growing a really strong following on the mini-tours. With the wider appeal and the greater accessibility of our 8620 wedges, it is important to keep in touch with players on developmental tours like the Hooters Tour. So, I packed a bag, grabbed some clubs and headed to Dothan, Alabama. I stopped off in Chattanooga to see the new shop (the new, new shop) and to see the other Scratch guys. I also stopped on the way back to start my education on club building, something I’m going to be doing a lot of this winter. The trip was a good one, though quick. I was able to see some of the guys who are currently playing Scratch products and some other guys that either should be or will be shortly. And I’ll be trying to show my face out there more in the winter and in 2010.

The first event of the “Western Swing” was Salt Lake City. This was the first time I had flown into SLC and it is actually a really great place to fly into. I always forget from one year to the next how much I like being out there. With the mountains as a back-drop, the scenery is wonderful. It is a pretty easy city to get around in, which is always nice, and it has lots to offer. I could probably live out there, though I am more partial to the water (even if it is only Lake Erie) than to the mountains. Anyway, I’d never shy away from traveling there.

It was a busy start to the week for me. Having not been out for a week, I had clubs to deliver and new heads to shaft up and grip. I really like the putting together of clubs, so I’m planning to do a lot more of it during the winter. On the road I like making sure that all the specs are just as the players want them to be. Sometimes doing the length thing is a bit of a challenge. Not everyone or every company has the same “standard” specs, so I might build a club to our standard, only to have to have it cut down because it doesn’t match up exactly to the player’s current model. But that’s okay, it keeps me busy! We picked up a couple more players in Salt Lake City. We’re even getting a bit more exposure heading into the PGA Tour’s Fall Finish with some of the PGA Tour players who have come down to play the Nationwide Tour while they wait for the FedEx Cup playoffs to wind down. It is nice getting a chance to work with some of the “Big Tour” players that I know as well.

Then it was off to Boise. Boise is always a great place to be. In years past I have donated quite a bit of money to the pro shop at Hillcrest due to the fact that, coming off the “Midwest Series”, it has always been so hot, you just wouldn’t expect to show up and have it to dip down into the 40s at night. So, I have Hillcrest sweaters, sweatshirts and long-sleeve golf shirts. This year, I was smart and packed for it. And, of course, aside from a vest on Tuesday morning, I never needed a bit of what I packed. Figures.

I showed up on Monday and got the bag organized, inventory taken and hung out waiting for players to show up. Not many did, really. The range in Boise is not, well, its not good. It has regular balls for irons and limited flight balls for hybrids, fairway woods and drivers. And it is straight downhill. Next year, I’m showing up on Tuesday. There just isn’t really any way for guys to get “work” done on that range. Not good for drivers and not good for wedges. Good week to work on the putter, though, so maybe that can be next year’s focus.

Tuesday I was allowed the day to play the Crane Creek pro-ams. I don’t play much anymore, but I love having the chance to do a few pro-ams along the way. Crane Creek has always been one of my favorites and I was fortunate to be able to do both the morning and afternoon waves. I had two great groups and enjoyed myself immensely. The morning group needed a bit of assistance, so I threw in four birdies and an eagle. The afternoon group had it well in hand, so my pair of birdies went largely unnoticed. But what a fun day for me, and hopefully for all my playing partners, too. They are, after all, what the whole day is about.

Wednesday came and went without an major issues coming up. I stayed until 4:30 in the afternoon, which is way longer than most reps stick around. Most guys have flights to catch, so they have to get moving after lunch. I didn’t fly out until Thursday, so I kept it going late. And I did pick up another player late in the day, too. That makes the extra effort all worthwhile!

This week I’m off the road. I’m a bit road-weary after making long treks the last couple months straight. So, I’m at home, handling things like fittings, setting up an account or two and writing tour reports and blogs. Its a chance to recharge the batteries before the home stretch, which begins next week in California at the new Soboba Classic, which boasts a $1 million purse. Not huge by PGA Tour standards, having a $1 million purse, but definitely a major for the Nationwide Tour. From California it is back eastward to Chattanooga, the home of the Scratch Tour Department, then Miami, Florida, for the final regular season event, then the Tour Championship down in Charleston, SC. The year has gone really, really fast!

Until next time Scratch golfers, enjoy the fall and keep working on that short game!

Cheers!