Symetra Tour experience

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By etakmit

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  1. etakmit

    etakmit
    Rochester, NY

    So we used to host a LGPA major here in Rochester NY every year (and every few years we'd host a PGA event at Oak Hill - most recent being the PGA Champ and we have the Seniors Champ coming soon). Unfortunately the LPGA ran for greener pastures (ie money) after 30+ years here leaving a big hole in the golfing community.

    Well fortunately the following year the Symetra tour stepped in and brought a tournament to Rochester. This year is the third year of the Danielle Downey Classic. Hosted at my home club Brook Lea.

    I hadn't attended in previous years, but this year since I had just recently joined I wanted to volunteer (smaller tournaments like this really live on their volunteer force). In this case I chose to be a volunteer caddy. Many of the girls dont have an entourage (or anyone) and in this way I could help out and get to watch the game close up.

    Tomorrow is Round 1 and my girl has a 7:52 tee time. I'm super excited and ready to go. I've walked a practice round with her so I have a good feel for what she needs from me (not much outside of carrying the bag, cleaning her clubs and just a bit of conversation when she needs to talk something out).

    I'll be wearing a Titleist hat and varying clothing (Footjoy of course). Right now the weather looks fantastic and I hope to have four days of volunteering in front of me.

  2. Luke R

    Luke R
    Hamden, CT

    Good luck out there! Hopefully with your knowledge of the course she will make the cut and play the weekend. It is a bummer that the LPGA left for the money, as I went to the last 3 Wegman's LPGA Championships and really enjoyed the watching the ladies play. They can really play. Also went to the 3rd round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in 2013. Rochester has big golf community. My wife is from Honeoye Falls. Head up there a couple times a year to visit. Really enjoy it up there!
  3. Jack H

    Jack H

    Sounds cool! Have a great time!
  4. Sam R

    Sam R
    Burnt Hills, NY

    That's too funny. My dad played in their version of the pro-am yesterday. He said the atmosphere was great all day and that these women can really hit the ball. He also wasn't shy about letting me know he drained a 30 footer on #3 for birdie, either.

    Good luck tomorrow!
  5. etakmit

    etakmit
    Rochester, NY

    Round 1 report : +5. Five three putts (which was something I noticed her being prone to do during the practice round. She was making good reads all day but missing her lines and speed.

    Unless she gets on fire tomorrow I'll be having the weekend free. It was great to walk with the three girls. I saw some great ball striking and was envious all day.

    We finished up, the group behind us finished and then the horn blew, weather delay. Not sure what time we'll be getting out tomorrow as they did not finish round 1 today.

    Great experience and it's so fun to see the spectators on hand too. In a small tournament like this they can get right up close and they really get into the shots the ladies are making.
  6. etakmit

    etakmit
    Rochester, NY

    A weekend follow up.

    My player finished at +10 and missed the cut. She just could not get anything going. Three putts the first day (five of them), the second day she was out of position and having to make very long par putts. Very few dropped. She was fantastic to caddie for and I'd do it again.

    One of the girls in her threesome asked if I'd carry her bag for the weekend. So I wasn't done. This girl made the cut at -3. She ended sunday at -6. Unfortunately the winner shot -22 (seven shots clear of the next player). The course was wet all week and the longer hitters who had a good short game had an advantage and the winner was one of them.

    There were at least three hole in ones that I know of and we saw one girl shoot a 63.

    Overall a great experience and I'll do it again if the tournament sticks around (this was year three of a three year contract so it's time to re-evaluate).
  7. etakmit

    etakmit
    Rochester, NY

    And some stats from the winner Nanna Koerstz Madsen:

    - 3rd win of the season. So she gets a battlefield promotion up to the LPGA
    - Broke the 72-hole Symetra Tour scoring record (previous was -19)
    - First to break -20
    - Her four rounds : 66-67-67-66
    - She is the 12th player in Symetra Tour history to win three times in a single-season
    - She is the fourth player in the last four years to accomplish the feat

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