Spring Break
Peterman left with bright future
Bill Welt
Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: Sports
Leatherneck golfer Kyle Peterman had a difficult outing in his first major PGA event.
He was unable to reach the third round in the U.S. Open as he was cut after two with a score of +16.
"Obviously I would have liked to play better, but just being out here around all these guys I think I know a little bit more about myself," said Peterman. "I know I can maybe someday be out here and play with these guys. There is not much difference between how they play and how I play. It is just more of an experience thing. It's just getting out there and being comfortable."
Peterman got off to a rough start, finishing the round 11 strokes over par with a score of 81.
The next day would see a better outing by Peterman at Bethpage Black in New York, but he could not keep up with the rest of the field. Peterman finished the second round shooting five strokes over par with a score of 75, making his total score 156. Blasi believes his game improved at Bethpage Black because he was able to relax better.
"It's hard to explain what it's like to play in front of 50,000 people, and the crowds and what's that like," Peterman's golf coach Mel Blasi said. "You go from playing college golf where nobody is watching and then play in front of 50,000 people. So that itself is quite an experience and challenge. You may be a little bit nervous and that little nervousness translates into maybe not hitting the ball straight as you want to."
The experience will help Peterman in the future as he plans on continuing his new professional golf career according to Blasi.
"I know that Kyle has aspirations of making the PGA Tour and when you play in the U.S. Open, it motivates you to want to get back there," Blasi said. "I would hope he is not discouraged by his performance and instead is really excited about what the possibilities might be for him."
Peterman's qualification in the U.S. Open has given him a couple invitations by the USGA to compete at the amateur level. One of those invitations was given to him to participate in the United States Public Links Championship.
"He really is one of the best college players and those (amateur) tournaments can be dominated by the best college players," Blasi said. "They are difficult to qualify for. The fact that he is already in and will be competing with another player right away will really help him so much because he can go, relax, and play, and see how he matches up."
There were only 15 amateurs who qualified at the U.S. Open this year.
This year's U.S. Open was unfriendly with most of its participants last weekend, but for Peterman and the 14 other amateurs, the U.S. Open allows them to begin a potentially bright professional golfing career.
He was unable to reach the third round in the U.S. Open as he was cut after two with a score of +16.
"Obviously I would have liked to play better, but just being out here around all these guys I think I know a little bit more about myself," said Peterman. "I know I can maybe someday be out here and play with these guys. There is not much difference between how they play and how I play. It is just more of an experience thing. It's just getting out there and being comfortable."
Peterman got off to a rough start, finishing the round 11 strokes over par with a score of 81.
The next day would see a better outing by Peterman at Bethpage Black in New York, but he could not keep up with the rest of the field. Peterman finished the second round shooting five strokes over par with a score of 75, making his total score 156. Blasi believes his game improved at Bethpage Black because he was able to relax better.
"It's hard to explain what it's like to play in front of 50,000 people, and the crowds and what's that like," Peterman's golf coach Mel Blasi said. "You go from playing college golf where nobody is watching and then play in front of 50,000 people. So that itself is quite an experience and challenge. You may be a little bit nervous and that little nervousness translates into maybe not hitting the ball straight as you want to."
The experience will help Peterman in the future as he plans on continuing his new professional golf career according to Blasi.
"I know that Kyle has aspirations of making the PGA Tour and when you play in the U.S. Open, it motivates you to want to get back there," Blasi said. "I would hope he is not discouraged by his performance and instead is really excited about what the possibilities might be for him."
Peterman's qualification in the U.S. Open has given him a couple invitations by the USGA to compete at the amateur level. One of those invitations was given to him to participate in the United States Public Links Championship.
"He really is one of the best college players and those (amateur) tournaments can be dominated by the best college players," Blasi said. "They are difficult to qualify for. The fact that he is already in and will be competing with another player right away will really help him so much because he can go, relax, and play, and see how he matches up."
There were only 15 amateurs who qualified at the U.S. Open this year.
This year's U.S. Open was unfriendly with most of its participants last weekend, but for Peterman and the 14 other amateurs, the U.S. Open allows them to begin a potentially bright professional golfing career.
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