Serra

Name: Richard Serra

Guiding Question:
 * Would I like to pursue a future in athletics, specifically golf?

(optional) Use this space to list possible activities, tasks, experiences. Remember everything you do should help you answer your Guiding Question.
 * Practice form and hitting at driving ranges, playing rounds of golf at golf courses (Delcastle Golf Course), watch golf tournaments on TV, watch instructional videos on golf, study the rules of golf,study the history of the sport, study the historic courses, learn how to keep an accurate score card, do golf related workouts (such as lifting)

(Required) This plan is a “best guess” as to what you and your mentor think you will be doing. It is not meant to be a hard and fast schedule for your Exploration. The plan should illustrate how you intend to complete a minimum of 80 hours.


 * = Date ||= Location/Activity ||= Number of Hours ||
 * = April 28-May 1 ||= Watch Zurich Classic of New Orleans on CBS* ||= -4 ||
 * = May 5-8 ||= Watch Wells Fargo Championship on CBS* ||= -4 ||
 * = May 12-15 ||= Watch The PLAYERS Championship on NBC* ||= -4 ||
 * = May 19-22 ||= Watch Crowne Plaza at Colonial on CBS* ||= -4 ||
 * = May 26-29 ||= Watch HP Byron Nelson Championship on CBS* ||= -4 ||
 * = Mondays ||= Driving Range ||= 1-2 ||
 * = Wednesdays ||= Driving Range ||= 1-2 ||
 * = Fridays ||= Driving Range ||= 1-2 ||
 * = Weekends ||= Round of Golf ||= -4 ||
 * = Tuesdays ||= Studying/ Golf related workouts ||= 1-2 ||
 * = Thursedays ||= Studying/ Golf related workouts ||= 1-2 ||
 * =  ||= **Rest of schedule is work-in-progress**. ||=   ||
 * =  ||= **As we must see when tee times are available,** ||=   ||
 * =  ||= **when our mentor is available,** ||=   ||
 * =  ||= **and when Sam and I have available time** ||=   ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= **N/A*** * ||
 * =  ||> Total Number of Hours ||= **N/A*** * ||

Journal 1: Sam and I have had to improv the majority of our experience so far, due to testing, weather, and other scheduling conflicts. We have not yet been able to go out and golf with our mentor yet, but he has been extremely involved, sending us 6 quizzes, each with 10 questions on them. They have been extremely helpful in teaching us terms and rules, and have taken a fair amount of time and research. Our mentor has also recommended books to us, which will provide valuable resources to our learning process. Sam and I have taken advantage of poor weather by watching two golf tournaments on TV, as well as doing research to learn about the rules and history of the game. We have also been frequently hitting balls at the driving range, as well as playing the front nine holes at the Delcastle Golf course. This experience has been very different, and has allowed me to gain respect for what pro golfers have to deal with, as the sport is both physically and mentally taxing. The smallest adjustment to your hand or body position can have drastic effects on your swing, and how far/accurately you hit the ball. Now that our finals are done, Sam and I will have more time to actually golf with our mentor, and hopefully the weather will hold out, and allow us to spend as much time on the courses as possible.
 * Possibly keep scorecard for one player
 * *With this schedule, we will meet the required 80 hours

Journal 2: Now that finals are over, Sam and I have been able to spend more time on our golf exploration. We have been to the driving range almost everyday, practicing our swing. When we are not at the driving range, we are usually over at Delcastle golf course playing 9 or 18 holes. Luckily for us, the weather has been really nice, so we have been playing much more. Sam and I have also participated in Mr. Kempner’s golf fundraiser for autism. Basically what we did was just help out with the little things but it was still a ton of fun because there were a bunch of famous people there and a lot of support for the cause. Sam and I have also continued with the quizzes our mentor gives us, we keep up with our reading too, and we have also watched some of the HP Byron Nelson Championship on CBS. We have also been doing golf related workouts, which have been interesting because we are more use to football and lacrosse workouts. All in all this exploration is really fun and it is only getting better.

Journal 3:  For my last journal entry, I wanted to discuss the improvements that I made as a player, and the relationships that can be formed playing this great sport. I have gained a lot of respect for the sport of golf, as it definitely is not as easy as it seems. One small change completely shifts how well you play, as well as your mental state while playing. I have improved hitting the ball with every club, but my most significant improvements have come in my short game (irons, putting). I can aim the ball better, and solidly hit the ball. Finally, one can easily develop work relationships as well as improve relationships that you already have developed. Sam and I have become better friends in the month we have spent playing golf. Our mentor told us recently that the great part about golf is that it reveals a persons true colors. It shows how a person deals with success and failure. This game is truly the most mentally demanding and the most revealing sport I have ever had the pleasure of trying.