Fall Semester Fertig(finished) but the Wolverines are Still on the Hunt

The conclusion of this years Fall Season wasn't the greatest but it ended on a high note.

I have listed a link below of the lastest UVU Review and the interview questions they had about the season as a whole! Hope everyone is enjoying the blog!! Have beencreating this during class the last couple of days so it may be kinda crazy with different thoughts going everwhere so bear with it!! ha Love all the followers!!

The last two tournaments we competed in were the, Purple and Red Invitational in Layton, Utah and The Bill Cullum Invitational hosted by Cal. State Northridge, in Simi Valley, California.



The layton tournament was literally the biggest rollercoaster of the year.. just like the UVU Reviews headline!!! The team as a whole had its highest and lowest round totals of the year.. Lowest of 287, Highest of 308. So alot of good things happened in the latter part of the semester! Personally, the Layton tournament was my highest and lowest too!! Both days I had rough starts, but for the first round I came back from being 4 over after 3 holes to firing a 74. On that same day in the second round I played the best round of tournament golf I have all season. I started the round somewhat better with 2 pars and then did something I had never done in my career before by making 5 birdies in a row!!! After making the first two birdies the last three I dont really remember playing those holes or hitting those shots!!! I guess that is kind of a good thing because I let my mind go free and get out of the way and allow my body to make the shots, but it is a negative kinda because I can't really recall the exact feelings I had to get into that same feeling in the future.

I ended up shoting a 69 after D. bogeying my last hole, so not a great finish to the great day!! On the last day I don't know how to really verbate my feelings of emotions but Iwill try my darndest!!! I didn't feel any pressure which was very different from any other round this year... I felt okay about my warm-up and how my ball striking was.. Unfortuantely the day wasn't that easy!!

I fired a 80 the highest round of the semester, but finished with a Birdie and and Eagle on my last two holes!!!

The Last tournament was in California, so a good break from all the cold weather back in Utah! The course was set up as the harders taht we would play all year because they overseeded the rough and the bermunda grass is alot different then anything that we play on in Utah at altitude! That being said I felt very confident going into the tournament after the practice round in which I hit 14 greens and made 5 birdies!!
On the day of the tournament the course was very wet and soft, so I thought it would be a scoarable course because everything would mostly stick where it was hit!!! I was hitting alot of shots close and solid the way I wanted but nothing would go into the hole on the greens!! This was somewhat of a problem the entire tournament becuase I only made 3 birdies over the course of the 54 holes. Before this I was averaging 3 to 4 birdies per round!!

The three round scores I shot were: 78-77-74, so not a great scoring tournament but overall I felt most comfortable with my preparation, mental game and putting stroke compared to any other tournament this year!!



UVU Review Posting

Two Down and Two to WIN!!!

The first two tournaments of the year came and went so fast! It is like I don't even remember starting school and having anytime in between school and golf to get settled...





The firs tournament at Washington States home track, Palouse Ridge was a great starter to the year. The course was longer and had more rolling hills then anything we play in Utah. The course played just shy of 7400 yards with greens running a 10-12 on the Stimpmeter (meaning the ball rolls out 10-12 feet when the officials release a ball of a metal ramp), so some of the fast green we play this season too!!! We had one lone freshman make the travelling 5 for this trip and it showed in what college golf is all about....





---YOU HAVE TO HIT IT STRAIGHT AND IN THE FAIRWAY SO YOU CAN HIT GREENS IN REGULATION---





The team as a whole had a great showing with no scores in the 80s which has not happened at UVU for 3 years and all three rounds under 300 which hasn't happened in over 6!!! So just looking at the squad this year we are greatly improved and have nothing but positive steps to take in the right direction, FORWARD!!!!!





Personally, I didn't play my best but when have I ever said I have?!! OH wait the USGA Public Links Qualifier!!! Anyway, I played a solid opening tournament with only a few hiccups here and there... missed greens for the middle of the fairway, 3 putt greens, and a few double bogeys. For the three rounds I shot a total: 222, 75-77-70.



My goal for the tournament was to lead the team and show them how to shot a round under par. I was not the low guy on the team but really stepped up the last day and became a leader. "Like an Upperclassman should"!!!



The second event for the fall semester was the Gene Miranda Invitational hosted by the USAFA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is somewhat of my home course even though I did not play there very often this last summer.. I was feeling very confident going into this tournament because all aspects of my game were in good shape.

I played a solid first day scoring +2 72-74 and I was tied for 19th.

The second day was a mental roller coaster. I started off the round with a birdie on the first hole! I was very excited to see where I could go with this round today. Unfortunately I let a few bad shots get to me more than they had ever before. I got back on a high with I holed out on my 7th hole number 18 from about 137 yards for an EAGLE!!! I ended up shooting a 76 and ended the tournament in 29th.

We have about 2 more weeks to get ready for the next event which is in Layton, Utah at Valley View golf course for the Purple and red Invitational.

Thank you everyone for the love support and prayers!!!

Statistics thus far:

Scoring average: 74
Putts per Round: 27.83

Fairway Percentage: 60%
G.I.R.: 51%

Total Birdies: 21
3 Putts: 7
D. Bogeys: 7

Room for Improvement but a great start!!!!

I dropped out of college my junior year to do Saturday Night Live, and golf on the side!!!!

Well Junior year has started off great so far. Everything in Orem is green and lively, girls are looking great, and the team this year. is going to be solid.!!!! We have only two new freshman but SIX new guys!!! The two guys I an living with this year are very different from the roommates I have had in the past... I don't ever have to worry about being pressured into anything at home and is not a place I can use to get away from everything.

We just finished the first qualifier of the 2010- 2011 season and everyone played well. I started off very well with a 69 to start, but then just kinda leveled out the rest of the rounds and won by only a stroke. This was one of my goals coming back this year: to win the first qualifier and lead the team to Washington States tournament in Pullman, Washington. We leave for this event on Saturday September 11th, not the best day to travel but glad to be headed out.

The team going to this event is Stratton, Andrew, Paul, Joey, and myself. everyone that is going played a solid qualifier and earned his shot on the team, With junior year underway, I am thankful for Chris Curran for taking over as the he golf coach of UVU, and thankful for everyone support this summer and my great play.

Keep God in your prayers and hope everything is going well!!!

UVU Golfer Tarasiewicz Advances to U.S. Publinks in North Carolina

Nicholas Tarasiewicz

June 23, 2010

OREM, Utah - UVU junior golfer Nicholas Tarasiewicz carded a 5-under 66 on Tuesday at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying on the par-71 Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor, Colo., to capture medalist honors.

He fired a 3-under par 68 on the first day. With the win he now qualifies for the national championship is set for July 12-17 at Bryan Park Golf Course in Greensboro, N.C.

"It's great that he'll be representing himself and UVU in North Carolina," UVU men's golf coach Chris Curran said. "I'm really proud of him and it's a great accomplishment to be playing in a national USGA event."

Tarasiewicz, Allen, Arp Advance to U.S. Publinks
National tournament will be Arp's amateur finale
by Gary Baines - June 22, 2010

While next month's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will mark a beginning for Nicholas Tarasiewicz of Colorado Springs and Stu Allen of Lakewood, it'll be an ending for Riley Arp of Fort Collins.

Tarasiewicz and Allen will be competing in their first USGA championship, while Arp will conclude his days as an amateur.

All three earned spots in the U.S. Publinks on Tuesday after completing a two-day qualifying tournament at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor. The national championship is set for July 12-17 at Bryan Park Golf Course in Greensboro, N.C.

Tarasiewicz (pictured), who just completed his sophomore season at Utah Valley University, claimed medalist honors Tuesday after a 5-under-par 66 left him at 8-under 134 for 36 holes. Allen, a 24-year-old salesman of Mizuno golf equipment, and Arp, a former Colorado State University golfer, shared second place at 136 after rounds of 68 and 69 on Tuesday, respectively.

It will be the second USGA championship -- and second U.S. Publinks -- for Arp, who wrapped up his CSU golf career last month. It will also be the end of the line for Arp as an amateur as he plans to turn pro before next month's HealthOne Colorado Open, then go to PGA Tour qualifying in the fall.

"Going into this week, I said, 'This is my last chance at a USGA event (as an amateur)," Arp said. "And it worked out."

Arp's previous USGA appearance came at the 2008 U.S. Publinks at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora. There, he advanced to match play before losing in the second round.

At Highland Meadows this week, Arp admits he had a bit of an advantage. He once worked on the outside-services staff at the course for three or four years.

"I've been out here a lot," Arp said, noting he's played at least 150 rounds at the course. "And without a doubt (it helped me this week). I still remember all the spots you've got to be."

Arp's game is starting to round back into shape after a finish to his college career that he'd just as soon forget. At an NCAA regional tournament last month, CSU finished four strokes shy of what was needed to advance to the NCAA Championship Finals, and Arp struggled all three days, shooting 78-77-77.

"If I would have showed up one day, we would have qualified for nationals," Arp said. "I feel horrible about it. It was on me. Everybody says you can't put one tournament on you, but it was my fifth year and it was on me. That still stings a little bit, but there's nothing I can do about it (now). You just move on and see what you can do."

At Highland Meadows, Arp's game was solid as he finished 6 under par for two days. But it was Tarasiewicz who was particularly impressive in Tuesday's second round. The German-born player -- he and his family moved to the U.S. when he was about 3 years old -- made eight birdies en route to his 66 and medalist honors.

"It's phenomenal," said the Rampart High School product. "I've never been in this position in a USGA event before. I'm glad I could put two rounds together. The 66 was awesome. It's kind of blowing my mind right now, but it's a great feeling."

Tarasiewicz overcame a double bogey on Tuesday with a stellar putting display.

"I started off really nervous because I really wanted to get this done (qualifying for the U.S. Publinks)," the 21-year-old said. "But I just knew I had to shoot something low today to give myself a chance. I just went out there and got it done."

Meanwhile, Allen recorded an eagle on the par-5 15th hole for the second straight day on his way to a second consecutive 68. He made a double bogey early in the second round, but played his final 10 holes in 5 under par.

"It's a little surreal, but wonderful," he said of qualifying for his first USGA championship. "I'm elated."

Riley Andrews of Highlands Ranch won a four-man playoff to become the first alternate, while Branden Barron of Centennial will be second alternate.

U.S. Amateur Public Links Qualifying
At Par-71 Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor

Qualifiers
Nicholas Tarasiewicz, Colorado Springs, Colo., 68-66--134
Stu Allen, Lakewood, Colo., 68-68--136
Riley D. Arp, Fort Collins, Colo., 67-69--136

Alternates (in order)
Riley Andrews, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 69-69--138
Branden Barron, Centennial, Colo., 70-68--138

Failed to Qualify
Zahkai Brown, Arvada, Colo., 68-70--138
Jordan Burgess, Windsor, Colo., 68-70--138
Joseph Schwark, Westminster, Colo., 71-69--140
Dean Clapp, Littleton, Colo., 70-72--142
Philip Nelson, Xenia, Ohio, 74-68--142
Mitch Gilchrist, Lone Tree, Colo., 73-69--142
Tristan Sanders, Denver, Colo., 75-68--143
Charles Chon, Aurora, Colo., 71-72--143
Neil Metz, Boulder, Colo., 69-74--143
Brandon Bingaman, Montrose, Colo., 74-70--144
Kurtis Lucas, Lakewood, Colo., 75-69--144
Wesley Martin, Denver, Colo., 72-73--145
Zachary Zaremba, Pueblo West, Colo., 73-72--145
Andrew Filbert, Scottsbluff, Neb., 74-71--145
Bryan Hackenberg, Thornton, Colo., 71-74--145
Bryan Kruse, Westminster, Colo., 72-73--145
Adam Golesh, Littleton, Colo., 72-74--146
Sean Thomas, Arvada, Colo., 71-75--146
Blake Mitchell, Loveland, Colo., 70-78--148
Jason Marshall, Aurora, Colo., 77-72--149
Greg Johnson, Lakewood, Colo., 73-76--149
Jon Bohannon, Ocate, N.M., 75-75--150
Ben Lyons, Centennial, Colo., 77-73--150
Grant Javernick, Aurora, Colo., 76-74--150
Kyle Beardslee, Littleton, Colo., 75-76--151
Eric Parish, Laramie, Wyo., 73-78--151
Clint Miller, Englewood, Colo., 77-74--151
James Kurtenbach, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 74-77--151
Shane Unfred, Loveland, Colo., 75-77--152
Nicholas Reisch, Thornton, Colo., 76-76--152
Kenneth Forward, Superior, Colo., 74-79--153
Jeffrey Schroeder, Aurora, Colo., 78-76--154
Derek Powell, Commerce City, Colo., 75-79--154
Wlad Colmenares, Aurora, Colo., 78-76--154
Matthew Rubin, Castle Rock, Colo., 78-77--155
Randy Gaddis, Lone Tree, Colo., 76-79--155
Robert Glucksman, Denver, Colo., 76-79--155
Nick Umholtz, Greeley, Colo., 74-83--157
Ryan Bent, Evergreen, Colo., 81-77--158
Brandon Hystad, Colorado Springs, Colo., 83-76--159
Grant McLaughlin, Aurora, Colo., 77-82--159
Phillipe Kim, Arroyo Seco, N.M., 81-79--160
Adam Vasilakis, Colorado Springs, Colo., 84-76--160
Jay-Jay Botha, Englewood, Colo., 82-79--161
Timothy Walters, Fort Collins, Colo., 80-81--161
Mark Barkley, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 87-78--165
Richard Zavada, Fort Myers, Fla., 90-85--175
Ethan Castle, Denver, Colo., 93-92--185
Douglas Rouse, Evergreen, Colo., 77-NC
Doug Grove, Parker, Colo., 85-NS
Travis Fore, Windsor, Colo., 71-WD
Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield, Colo., 72-WD
Spencer Grove, Parker, Colo., 107-NS
Brian Richmeier, Aurora, Colo., 74-NS

Home and Hit the ground Rolling!!!

So glad to finally be home for the summer and now I can really focus on the golf game and just having a fun summer and enjoy the break!!

Since I have been home I have played in three competitive tournaments already, including my U.S. Open local qualifier last Monday.

The first tournament that I played in was the Southern Colorado Amateur down at Walking Stick in Pueblo, Colorado. That was the second time I played in the event and it is a good opener for the summer season. It is hosted on the first weekend of the May and the course is always in great condition because the day after the event they have a U.S. Open qualifier there. So the Course was PERFECT!! I didn't really have the greatest showing but it was a great event to see where my game is and what things I need to work on this summer to become more competitive next year. I ended up shooting 79-75 which placed me two strokes out of the money. I did enter the skins game which is a great way to earn some of the entry fee back if you get lucky, and this year I did!! Twice... I eagled the 15th hole the first day and birdied the 2nd hole the second day. It won we back 84 dollars of the $135 entry fee. So all in all it was a great tournament besides the higher scores..

The second tournament I played in was just this last weekend up in Ft. Collins, Colorado at South Ridge Golf Club. I had never played this course before and was very happy that I got to play a practice round because the course was very short but a thinkers course and I need to think my way around my round a lot more then I have had to do in the past. The course measured to roughly 6666 yards, and was very tight. I only hit 8 drivers the entire tournament and was placing my iron tee shots in the fairway. I shot 77-73 and took 6th place out of around 40 people. My ball striking and my mental game was very good this tournament and I hit 28 of the 36 green. I improved my scores and it can only get better the rest of the summer.

Last Monday in my U.S. Open qualifier I shot 73 and just missed the qualifying score of 69. Grandpa Tarasiewicz is up here for my sisters graduation so him and Dad came up to Ft. Collins to watch me play. The tee times were delayed 30 minutes because of the frost on the course so it gave me plenty of time to get a good stretch and warm-up in. I was feeling very good before the round started and did all the preparation that I need to get done. When it was my time to tee off I was ready to get the round under way and there were a lot of people watching. As soon as I got over the ball I became very nervous and just thought it was normal because I haven't played in a event of this magnitude in a while. When I get nervous I tend to hit a bigger draw and that was what I did on the first three holes. I started off with 3 straight bogeys and shot 4 over 40 on the front nine. I calmed down and and played a better back nine and shot 2 under 33.

My game is feeling really good right now and can only get better from here. My next event is the CGA two-man championship at the end of the month. My partner is Kory Harrell, of my high school buddies who is currently playing college golf at Colorado State University. I will keep you all posted with how the summer is going and thanks for all the support!!

Much Love

Rollin up to Cali in style and on Fire

Wanted to let everyone know that I was picked as the individual to play in our next tournament in Palms Desert, California. Sorry I have not posted anything about the last tournament in Layton, Utah, but I have just not had the time of day to do anything but school work! HAHA

Anyways, we just arrived in California around 10:00 P.M. today after a nine hour drive through some mountains and a long desert. We took a long break in Primm, Nevada to practice so we were not coming into this tournament cold. After getting some grub, and stretching, we started the final leg of the trip to California. I fell right asleep in the van until the guys let me know that we were passing by a wildfire. Seeing that fire will leave a footprint in my head forever. Form far away it looked like a volcano was erupting over the horizon. Closer up the fire looked exactly like the scene in Lord of the Rings of Mordor. I have never seen anything like that ever. I was a great spectacle to see but disturbing to watch the mountain ablaze.

Well on a different note we will play our practice round tomorrow at 12 and will have the entire day to relax and practice. I cannot wait to play and get this tournament started!! I will keep everyone posted this week and will later do a write up on the tournament in Layton.

 

 

 

 

    

Leaving Colorado Springs on a High Note!!!

After having the time of this last week to look back on the Gene Miranda Invitational, in Colorado Springs, I have focused more on the positive things. If everyone does not know I ended up shooting 75,76,83 over the three rounds placing me in a tie for 93 of 108. This placing has shown me that the competition has improved and I need to stay focused throughout that tournament and not worry all my play on one hole. Even though I did not play all that great on the last day of the tournament I did have more birdies(4) then the first two round combined. My ball striking the entire week was great and it is still feeling great.



This last week back in Utah we had our second qualifying for the next tournament which is up in Layton, Utah about 1.5 hours north of Orem. I did not receive and exemption for the Gene Miranda so I had to fight my way back onto the top 5. We had the qualifying days, the first at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. I was still not feeling 100% health wise but bared with it at shot a 75. The lower for that day was Noah Cook who shot 73 to receive the 3rd spot on the team. The second day was at Hobble Creek in Springville. I played and felt better on Thursday and shot an even par 36. I ad to birdie my last two holes to shot even but I fought back strong. Andrew was the low that day with an impressive 32 and took the 4th spot.

We had a team meeting on Friday to go over the team going to the tournament and coach picked me at the 5th guy. Overall in the qualifier I finished 3rd but Jeff and Dane were exempt and did not have to qualify even though they played.

We are leaving today at 9:30 to go play our practice round at 12. I have not played the course we are going to yet so today I am going to learn the course so I can play well on Monday and Tuesday.

Sorry I did not get this post up earlier, School has been taking over my life right now, but last week I got all caught up.
I will keep you posted about this weekend.

If anyone has any ideas of other things I could put onto this blog let me know by leaving a comment!!

Thanks