HOWIE-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. --- Tusculum College senior and Knoxville, Tennessee native Brad Hawkins is blogging this week from Florida, where he is competing in the 2016 NCAA Division II Super Regional:
DAY 5: Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Despite all of the weather predictions, we were able to complete Wednesday's final round. I played well and came to the 18th hole even par. I birdied the 18th hole and my final hole of college golf.
These last 2 years at Tusculum have been great. I have met people and formed relationships that I wouldn't change for anything. I would like to thank Coach Dibble and everyone else who has supported me throughout the years.
DAY 4: Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Day 2 of the tournament is over. It is possible that I have played my last round for Tusculum College. The weather forecast calls for two inches of rain and thunderstorms so in order to prepare for it, there will be a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m..
My day was full of struggles on Tuesday. The fairways eluded me again. Whether tomorrow's round gets finished or not, this has been a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
DAY 3: Monday, May 2, 2016
Day one of the tournament is in the books. I teed off in the sweltering heat of the Florida sun.
My day could only be described by saying that it was the tale of two nines. The front nine consisted of punch shots out of the trees and making mid-range par putts to shoot a 2 over par 37 on the front.
On the back nine, I finally decided to visit the much sought after "fairway" and the putter stayed hot to shoot a four-under 33, which totals to a two-under par 70 and tied for seventh place. My tee time for the second round is at 9 a.m. off of the 10th tee.
Time to get some rest and get ready for Tuesday.
DAY 2: Sunday, May 1, 2016
At 9:30 a.m. I ate breakfast. I arrived at the course at 10:30 am and couldn't start warming up until 11 a.m.. The shotgun practice round started at 1:30 p.m. and I would tee off on No. 18. The practice round concluded at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., dinner would be held.
After playing the course I soon realized that I have to hit fairways in order to have any chance to shoot a good number. My first round tee time is at 1:30 p.m.. It will be hot and hopefully so is the golf game.
Talk to everyone after round one.
DAY 1: Saturday, April 30, 2016
I want to start off by saying this is not like last year. This year is a little sad because I don't have my compadres with me. At the same time, I want to represent Tusculum College with the best of my abilities because of the level of competition that will be at this year's Super Regional.
It's actually a little comical because I am starting to realize that I will be playing against guys like Cody Johnson and Connor Froning (LMU), Andrew Hall (Carson Newman) and Peyton Sliger (Lee). These are the guys that I played high school golf against in Knoxville, TN and we will be reunited at the super regionals in Howey in the Hills, FL. All of us are seniors as well.
The morning started with a 9 a.m. trip to the IHOP. From Brunswick, Georgia to Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida it was about a four-hour drive. We arrived at about 2:00.
Shortly after arriving, I went to a local driving range just go get a few swings in and get loose. Tomorrow is the practice round and the first look at a golf course that will determine who advances to nationals.
