Wrapping up 2009

Its hard to believe that the season has now officially come to an end. We had a great last PGA TOUR event of 2009 in Florida. We stayed with Parker's coach, Sean Foley, and his family. We had so much fun getting to spend time with them, especially their 19mo. old. Fun dinners at the house and happy hour on their patio. We also spent a few of the nights with Stephen Ames and his son. Sean is Stephen's coach as well so we had some great "Team Foley" get togethers.

Parker and Stephen were paired together during the first two rounds of the tournament which was a great experience for Parker. Even though Parker didn't make the cut I think he was able to take away some great things from the golf course that week. On Sunday we offered to babysit so the Foley's could go out and watch Stephen and Justin Rose (another one of Sean's students) in the final round. Both were playing well that week and had a chance to win. Parker and I watched it on TV and it was a blast to see Stephen go home with the trophy!

Now we are at the Callaway Invitational in Pebble Beach. It is so beautiful here, words can not describe. It is easily one of our favorite weeks of the year. Parker has had the chance to play Monterey Penisula Golf Club, the new addition to the Pebble Beach Invitational Tournament and Cypress with his 2009 Playing Partner Doug MacKenzie. Scott Simpson and Parker's Dad joined them for an epic day out on the golf course.

Today he played Pebble Beach and we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. He had a great group of playing partners and is off to Del Monte tomorrow for day 2.

I love this tournament because you get to really appreciate the beauty of these golf courses. there are no spectators, grandstands, ropes, etc like in a regular PGA TOUR event. Just the guys on the course.

Viking Cancelled

I still can't believe the Viking Classic was cancelled.

The tournament week basically went like this....

Thursday - alarm went off at 5 am... Parker and Ricky Barnes left for the course... txt messages from the Tour followed with 1/2 hr rain delay... 1 hr rain delay... 3 hr rain delay... day cancelled.... then practically the entire TOUR went to the nearby movie theater... We saw Michael Jackson's Movie (it was amazing!)

Friday - alarm went off at 5 am... Parker and Ricky left for the course... txt messages with 1/2 rain delay... 1 hr rain delay... 3 hr rain delay... day cancelled... once again - everyone went to the nearby movie theater... we saw Couples Retreat


Saturday - practice facilities were closed and we awaited news from the Tour.

Finally just before noon, it was announced that the event was cancelled - we hopped on a plane and headed home to phoenix :( I was so sad for all of the people at the tournament who worked so hard all year to put this event on. It was a shame that the weather just didn't allow this tournament to happen. It was especially a bummer since Parker seemed very ready to play that week.

Off the course we had a great time getting to stay with the parents of one of our very best friends. Ricky stayed there as well which made it a blast. We loved our time and Jackson and have to thank Tim and Jean for showing us such a great time. It was fun to connect with all of our extended friends there as well!

I was extra bummed that the tournament got cancelled because I was soooo looking forward to seeing one of my favorite chef's Tyler Florence do a cooking demonstration at the tournament on Saturday. We missed it because we ended up flying home that day. Once we got back to phoenix we turned on the golf channel and since there was no tournament to show they were airing the Tyler Florence Cooking segment. I was sad to have missed it but it was cool that they were still able to put it on and share it on the golf channel. We were inspired to cook that week at home!

Now we are in Orlando, Florida staying at Parker's coaches house. It is so nice to be able to be able to hang with him and his family. We are looking forward to a fun week! Last PGA TOUR event of the season... lets make it a great one!

Fall Series Kick Off

After our break during the playoffs we are now back into the full swing of things. Turning Stone was so beautiful (and still very cold) but we loved it anyway! It felt like fall with the leaves changing color and the chill in the air. Parker had a great week but feel just short of the cut line. It was pretty heart breaking. I think it was actually the most bummed I had seen him all year. He has been so patient with his swing changes and has put in so much hard work this year. Now that he is getting so close to being able to convert his hard work to success on the golf course, his expectations are higher and higher. I know its coming.

The fall weather didn't last too long because after Turning Stone we headed back out to Vegas. Since an entire week on the Strip can be a bit overwhelming, I took full advantage of getting to explore a different part of Las Vegas with my girlfriend Sybi Kuchar. We went on a hike in Red Rock Canyon and it was an amazing getaway. I had no idea that Las Vegas could be so beautiful.

For the second year in a row the highlight of the Vegas tournament was when Justin Timberlake's mother put on an amazing luncheon for all of the girls!!! It was a blast and was topped off by a fun visit from Justin himself!!! Here is the picture that we captured, poor guy - you can barely see him in this mob of women!

On the course, Parker had a great week in Vegas, scoring really well the first couple of days and then not getting as much as he wanted to out of the round over the wekeend. All in all it was a great week with another incredible Justin Timberlake and Friends Concert.

After fun week at home for the Frys.com Open we have arrived in Jackson, MS for the Viking Classic. Parker had another solid week last week so hopefully he will have lots of momentum coming into this tournament. His swing defintiely seems to be coming together so it has been getting exciting to see how things will develop on the golf course.

Getting Ready for Fall

Since Parker is not a part of the playoffs this year, he has had some great time to prepare for the fall. With a visit to Florida to see his coach, he has been able to get some great practice in and get into a consistent workout schedule. Although we would have loved to have been in the playoffs this year, being home has been a wonderful treat. We recently moved and have been using this time to work on some home projects! I think this break from a tournament schedule was just what we both needed to get ready for the fall series. We are looking forward to Turning Stone first, it is always one of our favorite events of the year. Hopefully it will be warmer than last year!!! I'm bringing my hat and gloves just in case!

Ready for more House Projects!

Defending Champion

Returning to Reno has been one of the highlights of the year! Even though I missed out on the win last year, just being back to the course gave me goosebumps. Everyone was so wonderful. We had the whole family to support which made the week so much fun! Thanks to everyone who came out and walked with us. Especially the Andersons who graciously hosted Parker once again this year, baby Jason for making Reno his first golf tournament ever, and DJ Gregory who walked Reno for the first time (since he was at the Bridgestome Championship during his 2008 PGA Journey). It was such a special week - thank you!


Before Reno, we had a family reunion (on Parker's side) the week before the tournament. It was the greatest week! It was very relaxing but still kept us in the competitive spirit. Oh yes, there were family competitions in volleyball, bocce ball, and baggo. We even had a golf day with the whole family. It was my first time playing on a golf course ever! When Parker and I were first dating we went to the driving range a couple of times, but since golf has become such a large part of our lives, I just haven't really had the desire to play during our "down time." His Aunt let me borrow her clubs and we played a scramble! That is such a fun way to play golf, I had no idea it could be so fun.... a lot less pressure on my shots ;-)

Fort Worth

Another week of great progress for Parker. Though it hasn't quite shown in his score yet, I know that he feels like he is so close to putting it all together on the golf course. Even when he ended his friday round with a Tin Cup like moment, he still managed to leave his mark at the Colonial... check out his best shot of the tournament!

Sports Center Top 10

"Walking with Friends"

It was a great week in Charlotte, one of our favorite events of the year. I absolutely love the town and Parker loves the course. Works out well for everyone! Now we are in Ponte Vedra, Florida. We rented a condo on the beach this week...we have Parker's Dad, Coach, and Sports Psychologist staying with us. The whole team is here!

Another reason that this week is extra special is that tomorrow May 5th is the date of our good friend DJ Gregory's book release. If you are a fan of golf you have probably heard his inspirational story, but just in case...check out it out below:

In the past year DJ has become a great friend and we are so excited for the launch of his book Walking with Friends: An Inspirational Year on the PGA Tour . Hope you can check it out!

With DJ and his family, holding his very first copy of the book

Sad to say our New Orleans stay has come to an end. This week has been full of amazing food and amazing people! We got in early on Sunday and had a chance to check out the French Quarter Festival with one of my best friends. We saw an awesome local band called Trombone Shorty and made our way through all of the food stands... sampling all the food that we had missed so much over the year...gumbo, po'boys, jambalaya.





Then the best surprise of the week was when Parker got paired with Chef Emeril Lagasse during the Wednesday Pro Am. They had a blast together and that night we were fortunate enough to attend a Zurich Classic party at his restaurant Emeril's. Later in the week we checked out NOLA, his more casual but equally as delicious restaurant.

Parker & I with his cousin Holly at the Players Party at Acme Oyster House

During the day on Wednesday I participated in arts and crafts day with the children of St Michael's School and also had the chance to meet the CNN Hero of the Year. Her name is Liz McCartney, Director and Co-Founder of an amazing program called the St. Bernard Project. Their mission is to help rebuild the lives of the Katrina survivors. With the help of volunteers and donated materials, they rebuild the homes in the St. Bernard Parish so that families can return home. I hope to come back next year and volunteer with her organization http://www.stbernardproject.org/

On the course Parker made huge progress this week. Everything really came together for him during the first 2 days and it seemed like golf almost looked effortless. Unfortunately he had some back pains on Saturday which didn't allow him to get into any kind of rhythm on the course. Sunday he felt much better and was able to find some positive progress in his swing once again. Excited to be in Charlotte now, this is always one of Parker's favorite tournaments!

This blog is especially dedicated to all the American Idol fans!

Today was a great reunion for Parker and his Pebble Beach Pro Am partner, Doug, and also a day where we had the chance to make a personal connection with one of the American Idol Finalist.

Parker, Doug, and friends had an awesome day of golf out at Whisper Rock and then we all met up for dinner out in Scottsdale at a restaurant called NoRTH. Through family ties, we were joined by the father of American Idol Finalist, Scott MacIntyre. What a wonderful guy. We are so thrilled for their whole family and will be rooting Scott on the rest of the way! Don't forget to vote on Tuesday. :-)

Marissa, Andrew, Doug, Parker, Kristy, Doug MacIntyre, & Jim at NoRTH in Scottsdale, AZ

Phil Mickelson, Charles Schawb, Doug MacKenzie, & Parker at the Pebble Beach Pro Am In February

Spring Training in Scottsdale

This weekend Parker and I had the chance to check out a Spring Training Game in Scottsdale. Ever year we seem to be traveling at this time and always miss out on this huge attraction in AZ. It was such an awesome day for a baseball game. We got to watch the Giants vs. the Padres and of course were rooting for my old home team the Giants. Thanks to our friends at the Giants for such an awesome day!!!

We just got back from an amazing long weekend in Sun Valley, ID. It was a great escape from the golf course and just what we needed to recharge for the next road trip. Special thanks to Cubby for helping us organize such an awesome weekend!

Parker in his new Oakley goggles - Thanks Oakley!

Parker & I on top of "Mt. Baldy"

West Coast Highlights

So once again, the West Coast swing has gone by in a blink of an eye! I can't believe that it is already over...It is our favorite part of the year, but also the busiest. Here are some of the highlights!

Pre Tournament week ~ Hawaii

It all started with a basketball game with the President Elect, Barack Obama



Security was high



I guess word travels fast when the future President is in town




Mercedes-Benz Championship ~ Maui

Friends and Family joined us in the Mercedes Celebration



Parker's best friend Max proposed to his girlfriend Margaux




Sony Open ~ Oahu

This is what you do when you don't get to play on the weekend at the Sony Open...
Bocce Ball



& Canoeing at Sunset!!!



FBR Open ~ Phoenix

To jump start the week, Parker and I hosted a wine tasting on Monday of the FBR with Destination Cellars and Duckhorn Winery





Dave, one of Parker's best friend's, caddied for him at the FBR and helped him earn the first Top 20 finish of the year!






Buick Invitational ~ San Diego

I can't believe I made the February issue of InStyle Magazine! My head is the size of a pencil dot but its there!!! (I am just one of the 50 women surrounding Justin Timberlake during the Las Vegas Tournament in the bottom left photo!)




AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am ~ Pebble Beach

This is where we host our version of the Clambake!



And after getting paired with Phil Mickelson for the first 3 rounds of the AT&T, Phil graciously invited our group out for dinner (and our good friend even captured a quick pic with him!)



Northern Trust Open ~ Los Angeles

Only in LA would we get the opportunity to meet Bradley Bayou, a fashion designer to the stars and author of The Science of Sexy



Parker and UCLA Alumni including Kevin Chappel, Brandt Jobe, Scott McCarron, & Tom Pernice were introduced at half time during the Thursday night UCLA Basketball game against Washington



My grandparents even had the chance to enjoy their very first PGA TOUR Golf Tournament!



Finally, the weekend provided us with a little time off to go support Parker's brother Spencer in his Stanford Volleyball match against Northridge

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Those are just some snapshots of our "off course" adventures! It has been a great West Coast swing! Thanks to everyone who made the effort to be there to share in these moments with us. It makes this journey truly incredible when we can share it with family and friends! See you in Florida!

Parker's First Mercedes Benz Championship

I am actually writing this from San Diego... so its a little overdue. But I wanted to share these pictures from the Mercedes! It was such a wonderful week. I now know why all of the veterans on TOUR say this is their favorite tournament. There were so many things that made this week so special! Celebrating Parker's first Mercedes-Benz Championship in his home state could not have been more amazing! We would love to back here again in the near future!