BirdieSisters

Bitter Sweet End To U.S. Kids Local Tour

The BirdieSisters Erica and Myah Jackson played their final U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour event, the “Balmoral Woods Country Club Tour Championship,” at Balmoral Woods Counrty Club in Crete Illinois — 35 miles (50 minutes) from home.  The weather warmed up for Chicago this year to 86 degrees and sunny skies.

First, about BirdieSister Myah Jackson.  After carefully reviewing Myah’s US Kids Golf tournament history, we discovered that the last tournament she lost was 6/27/07.   Today her record came to an end.   Yes that’s right, all good things must come to an end.   However, Myah is still thanking God for her 7th place finish at the World Championships.   Myah knows she cannot make the climb alone.  Congratulations to Haniya Ghazi from the BirdieSisters and Family!

BirdieSister Erica Jackson is the Local Tour Champion for the second consecutive year in a row.  Erica came out from hole one and established herself as the champion.  She played well today, shooting her local tour low score.  For more info see :   http://uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=LC&year=2009&age_group_id=4&tournament_id=252&location_id=2879 .

2009 U.S. Kids World Championships

BirdieSisters Erica Jackson and Myah Jackson played in their  second US Kids Golf World Championships.  There were over 30 countries represented and over 1300 participants in this tournament, which some say is the best junior golf tournament in the world.  The weather was hot and so was the play.

First, lets talk about Erica Jackson’s tournament.  She played from a distance of 5083 yards at “Talamore Resort Course.”  Going into the World Championships Erica was predicted to play well.  The Southen Pines “Pilot” had good things to say on pages 7 and 14.  See: http://www.thepilot.com/media/US_Kids_Golf_2009.pdf .  After receiving the Peggy Kirk-Bell award, meeting Ms. Bell, and becoming aware of the the high performance expectations, Erica was overwhelmed with the pressure to do well.  The pressure was a bit much for Erica and she did not play her best golf.  However, this is all a part of learning to win.  Interestingly, the more difficult  Erica’s shot, the better she hit her ball.  As a matter of fact,  Erica had some spectacular shots from some very difficult positions and she did not miss one.  It was the shots she had to make that killed her, for example, putts from 5  feet and in and approach shots from 100 yards and in.  After each great shot Erica made it appeared she would turn her game around, but it didn’t happen until the final hole.  As Erica entered the tee box on 18,  a 267 yard par 4, she could see the crowd at the club watching her so she proceeded to hit her best drive, approach and putt of the day for birdie.  The next day’s finish was two shots better and Erica finished the third day 9 shots lower than the first.   Unfortunately for Erica, her slow start on the first two days hurt her overall score.  Nonetheless, I would be remissed if I didn’t mentioned that on the day after the championships Erica played 18 holes at Pine Needles Golf Course in Pinehurst, NC (where the 2007 Women’s Open was played) and she made par on 8 of the front 9 holes.    Thus, we have concluded that Erica needs to build up her response to pressure so that her finish will accurately reflect her level of play.  For more info see : http://www.uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=WC&year=2009&age_group_id=4 .

Now, how about BirdieSister Myah Jackson coming up “On Top of the World,” it may have been for only a day this time but watch out world here she comes.  Myah’s opening day can be summed up as steady.  One birdie, one bogey and a lot of good ups and downs.  She played at “Longleaf Golf Resort,”  playing the back 9 from 2100 yards.  The second and third rounds for all the leaders can be summed up as pressure and more pressure as the field  tightened and the pin placements were more difficult.  The leaders’ scores went up.   Myah tied for the low round of the tournament with a first day even par 36 and finished in 7th place after day 3 –  higher than any other Illinois player.  Keep up the good work Myah!  For more info see : http://www.uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=WC&year=2009&age_group_id=4.

Myah Jackson Under Par Again!

                                                               BirdieSisters Erica Jackson and Myah Jackson played in the US Kids Local Tour event at “Sanctuary Golf Course” in New Lenox Illinois, 40 miles (55 minutes) form their home.  The weather was overcast with a temp of 72 degrees at their start time of 2:57 p.m.  There was on and off light rain throughout.

BirdieSister Myah Jackson played without a caddy or her own spectators today.  Myah’s round was par, par, birdie, birdie, par, birdie, 2 pars and a double boggy.  What a round for Myah, she is definitely in a groove!   For the first time, Myah came back and issued a hole-by-hole report of her game, including her decision-making process.  Specifically, Myah reported that when her opponent and good friend Haniya shot a birdie on hole number 2 and tied their scores, instead of getting emotional (like she has in the past), she focused her thoughts on “scoring under par golf.”  It worked!  BirdieSister Myah Jackson is growing up and taking control of her game, including her emotions.  What a milestone for Myah!

BirdieSister Erica Jackson gained control of her emotions a few years ago.  She has always been relatively calm and cool, never displaying much emotion — win or lose!  However, lately she has been struggling to execute a comprehensive approach to her golf game — which is causing her some  frustration.  If its not her driver its her short game.  For example, today Erica left her short game at home.  Erica shot an 8 over-par, missing several make-able putts.  Her driver did manage to find its way back, but the short stick came up short.   Nevertheless, Erica grinded her way to first place.  Erica will have several opportunities over the next few weeks to pull her entire game back together.  Good luck Erica!

For results see :     http://www.uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=LC&year=2009&age_group_id=2&tournament_id=252&location_id=2877

US Kids at “Bittersweet” – Myah’s 1st Sub-Par !

          BirdieSisters played today in their 3rd US Kids local tour tournament at “Bittersweet Golf Course” in Gurnee Illinois.  The golf course is 50 miles (1 hour 16 minutes) from home.  Erica’s Tee time was 7:30 a.m. and Myah’s tee time was 8:04 a.m.  The weather started out cool with a temp. of 67 degrees but by the middle of the round it rose to a very comforable 75 degree mark.

BirdieSister Erica Jackson can’t seem to find her way out of a first hole double boggy.  This is her 3rd start with this score.  However, she is committed to focusing more on how to execute her shot without letting her tee box jitters impact her game.  Today Erica Jackson finished with a six over par, two shots off the lead. 

BirdieSister Myah Jackson was on fire today!  Myah started her round with three pars, 2 birdies, a par, 2 more birdies and ended with her lone 3 putt  boggy.  This is the first sub-par score for Myah and her short game was a major factor, with only 16 putts all day.  She did not miss a driver shot and one traveled over 200 yards.  This was a site to see!  Congratulations to Myah Jackson.  For more results from this tournament see : http://www.uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=LC&year=2009&age_group_id=2&tournament_id=252&location_id=2876

U S Kids Local Tour “Boone Creek”

 Today the BirdieSisters played  in the US Kids local tour event number 3.  It was the second US Kids event for the Birdiesisters.  The tournament was held at “Boone Creek Golf Course” in McHenry Illinois, 60 miles from home (1 hour 23 minutes ).  The weather condition at the tee box was 90 degrees and sunny.  Erica Jackson’s tee time was 3:27 p.m. and Myah Jackson’s tee time was 4:00 p.m.

BirdieSister Erica Jackson played against the course today.  Erica got off to a slow start with a double boggy at hole 1 but somehow managed to pull out a score of 4 over par.  Erica needs to increase her understanding of how to score in the game of golf.  Short game, short game, Erica needs to continue to think short game!

BirdieSister Myah Jackson played with her good friend Haniya Ghazi, with whom she has played on this tour for several years.  Myah’s and Haniya’s skill levels are comparable and their friendship makes for a pleasant round of golf.  Myah is in the early stages of taking her game to another level, but she is also still learning how to score and when to be aggressive.  Even though you will always leave shots on the course, the BirdieSisters must learn how to take advantage of more opportunities.

For results from this tournament see:     http://www.uskidsgolf.com/uskgTournaments/redirect.cfm?locationID=results&type=LC&year=2009&age_group_id=2&tournament_id=252&location_id=2875