Shoots solid score of 56 on Park Meadows course on Sunday
You would think Martha Collins would be doing handstands down the fairway and jumping for joy after shooting the lowest score of her life this past weekend at the Osoyoos Golf Club.
But she says she felt more frustrated than happy because she missed what she now considers to be easy shots after spending the past two months practicing hard and often after taking up the challenge to try and dramatically improve her golf game this spring and summer.
Collins shot an impressive 56 on the Park Meadows course on Sunday, which is the lowest round of golf she has ever posted over nine holes.
But Collins wasn’t overly enthusiastic because she felt she was playing so well she could have shot several strokes lower.
“I am happy with my score, but I am frustrated because I missed some really easy shots that I would not normally miss,” said Collins. “I missed three putts that were inside three feet and another couple of shots where I was close to the green and didn’t hit a good shot at all.
“Overall I’m very happy because I’m playing much better and more consistently, but I have to admit that I was still frustrated. Golf is a very strange game.”
Being able to shoot more than 10 strokes lower than what she shot the previous week is obviously a very good sign that all of the hard work and effort she is putting into her game is finally starting to pay off, said Collins.
“I had the lowest score of my life and I do see progress in most parts of my game, so I am pleased,” she said. “I guess when you feel like you’re improving quite a bit that you might put unrealistic expectations on yourself. I just hope to keep improving and hopefully I will be able to keep lowering my score.”
Collins said she hit seven of nine tee shots right down the middle, which contributed greatly to her solid round of golf.
She lost concentration during one tee shot and only hit it a few feet.
She also hit the “best drive of my life” on the eighth hole as it measured close to 200 yards off the tee, she said.
“I had never hit a drive that like before in my life,” she said smiling. “I counted off 13 large steps after the 150-yard marker so I guess it was close to 200 yards. I have to admit that felt pretty good.”
Collins said she hasn’t had a lesson with head professional Drew Bolokoski in a couple of weeks because he has been busy and playing in tournaments. She’s looking forward to working with him again during a practice session this week.
Collins is hoping her low round wasn’t an apparition and hopes it will happen much more often as her confidence and ball striking ability continues to improve.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
