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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 15, 2007

GOLF REPORT
Time to recharge battery

 •  Local, international stories plenty as LPGA tees off

By Parker McLachlin
Special to The Advertiser

Parker McLachlin

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2006 Hawai'i golf calendar
See a listing of all Hawai'i golf events this year.

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Join us as we take a tour on the PGA Tour with Parker McLachlin, a former Punahou athlete. McLachlin earned his PGA Tour card for this season. He joins Castle alum Dean Wilson as the only Hawai'i golfers on the PGA Tour. McLachlin will write his impressions on events that he's just completed and tournaments that are upcoming on his calendar.

I just wrapped up my first "West Coast Swing" and I'm at home getting some rest and enjoying a week off. I've played four of the past five weeks, and it's good to know that I made two of four cuts, missed the other two by just one shot and have two top-25 finishes this season.

Everyone that I have either met or played a practice round with this season has been extremely welcoming onto the PGA Tour. Veterans make me feel welcome, and they are always offering support. Guys like Brad Faxon, Jerry Kelly and others have come up to me and let me know they are glad to have me out here.

I'm taking this (the Nissan Open) week off as I get ready to play the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico next week. Then I will head east to Florida to play in the Honda Classic and the PODS Championship in Tampa, Fla.

The week of rest and relaxation couldn't come at a better time and I'm excited about recharging my battery for the next few events. I feel staying mentally and physically sharp are keys to success and are often overlooked.

The PGA Tour "reshuffles" players like myself who earn their PGA Tour card from either the Nationwide Tour or Qualifying School. I started the season as 37th on the reshuffle list (which means 36 of 62 players would qualify for PGA Tour events before me) but now I've moved up to 20th place. The last tournament before the official reshuffle is Mexico, so it behooves me to play well there and earn money to continue to improve my place in the reshuffle.

Besides that, I'm just getting my game in shape for the heart of the season, and will take full advantage of this time off.

I want to send a quick congratulations to my brother Spencer's basketball team, Punahou, which won the ILH title last week, beating six-time defending champion 'Iolani and advancing to the state tournament. I'm proud of you Spence.