Drive, Chip, Putt (& Don't Give Up!)

Ammon joined the Junior Idaho Golf Association this year, and he signed up to compete in four of the Eastern Idaho tournaments throughout the summer.
The first one was Monday, June 7 at the Rexburg Municipal GC in Rexburg. He was nervous and excited, but he did SO well! He scored a 64, and placed second in his age division, earning a medal.
The second one was Tuesday, June 29 at the Salmon Valley GC here in Salmon. He had practiced almost every day for the previous 3 weeks, so he felt ready for the tournament--especially since it was on his home turf. But he was placed in a group that had a boy who was a year older than Ammon, and who was very good, and Ammon didn't do as well because he felt intimidated and inferior. He scored a 67 and placed 4th in his age group.
The third one was Tuesday, July 13 at the Hazard Creek GC in Aberdeen. This was the furthest one we went to--about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Salmon, and it was the golf course that Ammon disliked the most. He was once again put in a group with an older boy who was a better golfer, and Ammon had a difficult time playing his best game because he tends to pay more attention to the other golfers than to his own game. The game of golf requires focus and concentration, and Ammon had a hard time that day; he scored a 66.
The final one was Monday, July 26 at the Jefferson Hills GC in Rigby. Ammon had requested that he go golfing on the course to preview it before his tournament, so Josh took him golfing there the night before. Ammon liked the course, and when he golfed with Josh, he scored a 52. He was excited for his last tournament, but he was disappointed with himself after the actual tournament was over with his score of 68.
He played golf all summer long here in Salmon, and almost always played alone (he likes it that way). His best score for 9 holes on the Salmon Course was 47, and he oftentimes scored in the 50's (in golf, the lower the score--the better). He enjoys playing golf, and he especially loved playing with his new clubs and new cart that he purchased with his own money this spring!
Because this was his first year competing in tournaments, he didn't know what to expect. He had a difficult time playing with other people his age, it was challenging for him to play on new golf courses he'd never seen before, and he was hard on himself if he ever made mistakes while playing. But he said he wants to compete in tournaments again next year, because he wants to keep improving his game. I think Ammon is a terrific golfer! He's already surpassed my golfing abilities, and he beat his dad at the game several times this summer! I'm glad he's not ready to give up competing just yet!