Jim Salinetti: October 3

As the summer season comes to an end, I am definitely a little disappointed with how things have been shaping up.  Missing a few cuts in row is no way to go into tour school, so our final event of the year is pretty important to me.  Strange things have been happening to me out on the golf course these past couple of weeks, resulting in some high scores.  But I figure if the Red Sox can pull out a playoff berth with their shaky finish, there's no reason I can't end a bad golfing month with a win. 

Even though nobody is looking past our last regular event, I think tour school is on everyone's mind.  My first stage is in Kannapolis, N.C. on Oct. 18.  That was the site of my first Q-School experience when I was 22 and just out of college.  Kannapolis hasn't been on the schedule since that year, so was excited to see it back in the rotation.  I will have a full week of practice before I have to head south.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate in the Berkshires...if not I'm heading to Florida where I know it's warm.  I will mainly focus on my short game.  This isn't the time for a whole lot of swing adjustments.  I will be worrying about two things during these next two weeks:  practicing and resting.  My body always gets a little worn down at this point in the season, so it's important for me to relax when I'm not out on the golf course. 

Jim Salinetti: March 23

In my five years of "snowbirding" in Florida I have never been more ready to get back to New England.  I'm not sure if it is my excitement for my
upcoming season, or my frustration of working five days a week at the golf course.  Don't get me wrong, I have a great setup in West Palm Beach.  I couldn't ask for a much better place to work and practice than Breakers West.  But I am definitely ready to start playing and practicing every day and focusing solely on my golf game. Some times you don't realize how fun competitive golf is until you have to step away from it for a few months.

My summer schedule is very similar to last year.  I plan to play in most Cleveland Tour events, as well as all the state opens, invitationals and
pro-ams.  I am really looking forward to the Mass. Open at Charles River and a few of the new CGT venues.  I am lucky to have two great places to practice, Stockbridge GC and Cranwell, and I plan on working pretty hard in between events.

I am really hoping to get some of the feelings I once had relating to my golf game.  I have always been passionate about practicing and getting
better, but last summer I had a glimpse of that confidence I once had in my early 20's.  I often wonder if it helps being back at Stockbridge and
playing competitively in New England.  Whatever it is, I really hope some familiar surroundings can help my continuing confidence.

I may be crazy to want to leave 80 degree, sunny days down south for cold, damp spring days up north, but I am definitely pumped to start practicing every day and playing in tournaments every week.

P.S.  Mad props to all the good work "The Scribe" has put into the website. Hopefully all of us can have some great results for him to write about!  And yes, "snowbirding" is a word.