An Impressive Round

Last night Jon contacted Cameron to ask him if he wanted to play in tonight's match at Heron Creek against Lakeland.  Cameron never considered not playing, but asked me what I thought.  We both agreed that it was important to participate not only for his mental health, but for the commitment that he had made to the team.  Cameron said that he fully expected to shot a 50+, but did want to be there.  Jon decided that the best way to take the pressure off of Cameron was to have him play in the 3 spot tonight.  He also paired him with Evan.  The senior's personality matched the situation that Cameron found himself in perfectly and we were incredibly happy that Jon made this switch.

This morning when Cameron got up he told me that he didn't want anyone to go to his match.  He just wasn't up for a gallery.  I asked him if maybe one or two people could go, just in case he needed someone.  Before he left for school he had changed his mind.  He instead wanted everyone to go - Grandma, Grandpa, Meg, Doug and I.  We were glad to hear that and agreed to be there in time for his 5 p.m. tee time.  

None of us had any expectations for Cameron tonight.  His coach really thought that Cameron would have a career round.  I could totally see that, but I also was prepared for him to exit the round early in tears.  I was very glad to see that he was playing with Tommy Curtis.  He had known him for years through the junior circuit.  Tommy, much like Cameron, was a good golfer, but also liked to enjoy his round socially.  That took a lot of pressure off of Cameron.  

In the end, Jon was right.  Cameron had his best nine hole round of the season, shooting a 37.  He played incredibly well and finished with an impressive approach shot over several trees on the last hole setting himself up for a birdie.  He wore his Sprite socks which matched the Fanta ones he gave Richard last October.  He also marked all of his golf balls with "Rios."  He told me that he knew if he missed his birdie putt on the last hole that Richard would never forgive him.  I think Richard would have been ok with it, but was glad that he didn't let him down.  It was definitely an impressive round.  Overall, Cameron's score never really mattered to us, but we were glad that he found a little bit of happiness in this week of sorrow.