Sunday, September 4, 2011

Learn from the best -- Scott Hebert -- at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

I guess I picked the right time for a two-day golf school with Scott Hebert at his new Grand Traverse Resort & Spa golf academy.

It was the day after Hebert erased a two-shot deficit on the first hole of the final round of the Michigan PGA Professional Championship en route to his fifth title in six years at Eagle Eye Golf Course. GTR's head professional shot a final round 67 and handily won by five shots over Eric Dovre.

Dovre, the first and second round leader, faltered with a bogey on the first hole while Hebert was making birdie, his first of four in the a row to start the round.

“That was a fast horse to catch,” Dovre said. “Shell-shocked is not the right word, but he came out firing and I was kind of right there with him but I made two bad swings for back-to-back double bogies (on No. 5 and 6 to finish a seven-shot swing on the leaderboard). Right then knew I wasn’t playing for first. It was like watching a Tour event; fairways, greens, no mistakes. Really a pleasure to be out there and watch that.”

Dovre finished with a 74.

“I got off to a fast start for a change,” Hebert said. “I think that rattled Eric a bit. Those first four holes were the difference.”

Only five players broke par in the final round including Brian Cairns with a 71. He finished third. Hebert won $6,500 for his efforts.

I can't tell you much about my lesson with Hebert because there's a story brewing in a major magazine, but I can say the two-day session has changed my game forever. It was a great experience, one I can recommend for others.