Hey golfers!
It has been a few weeks since my last post, and please please let me fill you in on the details! I’ve officially made 7/10 cuts and we’re now more than half way through the season. Where does the time go? Two weeks ago I was so excited to have the Duramed Futures Tour come to my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. It was a week full of Goldstar Chili, Reds games, and a big hometown crowd. I couldn’t ask for more…except…for a little more…air. No, I’m not talking about choking under pressure. I’m talking about the horrible lung infection I came down with that week. It was my time to shine, and I’m sick!
All week I dreamed of all the times in the history where injured or sick players came out on top and took home the title. Sure, I can’t breath and my body aches, but what if this was going to be my Kerri Strug moment? Where I stand over a vault with a broken ankle and still bring my team to an Olympic gold medal. I haven’t won yet this season, and what a story would it be to make this incredibly sick week my first trip down victory lane. Maybe I would be like Tiger in 2008 US Open, where his knee was about to snap and he fought the pain all the way to a courageous victory. I dreamt all week of all the possible outcomes…and then I woke up from Nyquil coma and tripped over my own feet as I stumbled out the door for my Friday round. Okay golf course, let’s rock!
Golf is a very complex game. The little girls hold the quiet signs up for a reason, because concentration is so im
portant! The infection wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but I’m diabetic too. (Too sweet for my own good 
). So my blood sugars have been all over the place, and my head was a little cloudy. My mom wanted me to withdraw, but I had the hometown crowd of my side!
Fans even showed up with “Carling’s Crowd” hats in support. It was awesome! So I just thought I would keep my swing thoughts very simple and aim in smart directions. It seemed like a good plan, until I duck-hooked my first approach shot 20 yards left of the green. Okay…hmm…Maybe I’ll be Kerri Strug on the back nine?
…Okay…Maybe I’ll be Kerri Strug on day two? It never happened! I felt horrible. It was 95 degrees outside. I couldn’t hit the ball anywhere close to straight. And everyone I have known since kindergarten was there to watch. It felt like that dream where you are giving a public speech and suddenly notice that you’re naked. Of course I was embarrassed. I may be a professional golfer, but I am only human. I felt like screaming and crying all at the same time. I didn’t want to hit any more bad shots. I just couldn’t take it! But the only thing more painful than playing bad golf, is watching it. People didn’t drive all the way out to the course to watch a sad little sick girl.
So I changed up my attitude. I fist pumped when I made my six-footer for double. I winked at the crowd when I found my ball in the hazard. I waved when my hook flew over the hazard into the next fairway. And I changed my strategy from birdie dances to par dances. Why not? And then at the end of the day…Believe it or not…through all the pain and agony…I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a 78 more.
Okay…so it wasn’t my turn to change history. That’s okay. I did get better by the way (my health and my game!) I practiced, practiced, practiced, and I made the cut the next week in Decatur, Illinois. She’s back, baby! Just when I thought I had seen it all this season, add a dangerous illness to the list! What doesn’t kill us…makes us stronger.
See you next time!
Carling
Ladies on the Tee Golf Blog author, Sherry Tabb was privileged to be part of ‘Carling’s Crowd’ at the Duramed Championship in Mason, OH. She exemplifies courage and composure in the way she handles adversity and responsibility. We look forward to following Carling for the rest of this season and beyond as she continues to “Chase Her Dream”. Thanks for visiting and sharing Carling’s journey to the LPGA.
Related posts:
- Carling’s Duramed Journey to the LPGA – Back Home Home at last! After spending three weeks in Florida, I...
- Carling Coffing Getting Ready for Duramed Tour In Daytona Hello Hello! I’m rockin’ out here in Daytona Beach this...
- Carling’s Stretch Run on the Duramed Hello again! This is Carling Coffing blogging straight from The...
- Introduction to Carling Coffing – Duramed Tour Player Hello golf world! I’m Carling Coffing, a professional golfer on...
- Carling’s Great Wind Adventure in Texas Greetings! I’m in San Antonio right now, and washing my...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Tags: Carling Coffing, Decatur Futures Tour, Duramed Championship, Duramed FUTURES Tour, Kerri Strug, LPGA
Way to hang tough Carling. We never know what lies ahead of us, but a positive attitude and determination are always important to any success we ever achieve.