Covid-19 has turned our worlds upside down. Across the globe our everyday routines, social interactions, travel plans, and upcoming calendar events have been stopped in their tracks. It has become an incredibly unsettling and uncertain time for us all, and I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy.

My heart and well-wishes go out to all those who have fought, continue to fight, or have lost the battle against this violent disease. To those who have lost loved ones, unable to say a final goodbye – I am so sorry for the devastating loss you have endured. My admiration goes to all those within the NHS – and medical care facilities around the world – working tirelessly day and night to bring healing back to us all. You are our heroes.

Currently, in the world of professional golf, we are in limbo. As it stands, no tournaments are set to be played in the coming weeks…most likely months. During a time when we could all do with a hint of normality, enjoyment, or a taste of competitiveness, this will be a shame for many sports fans. The PGA Tour however, have announced their intentions to continue play in May – as much as I want to bring positivity to you as readers, this feels incredibly optimistic, and to be honest, unrealistic. Obviously, I understand that hope this will happen is giving the players something to work towards, and a date for fans to look forward to with anticipation that sports greatest comeback will begin very soon.

For now though, we remain in the unknown as much as the rest of you, awaiting news of change each day.

Matt’s Start to the Season

As many of you who have followed Matt’s results over the last few months will know, his performance has been anything but consistent. Leading up to the end of 2019, he was struggling with his scoring, unable to identify what the cause might be. Following the end of some of his contracts in December, Matt made the decision to undertake a club change. He moved to Callaway.

Changing clubs, as we have learnt, is often quite a difficult and a timely process. It takes a lot of testing, adjustments, and time invested into it. Matt and the team at Callaway have been working hard to find his perfect set of tools.

The beginning of our season did not have optimum results. It hasn’t been a pretty journey, and it’s the times of performance struggles that can be the hardest to feel as though I am being an effective support system. But, the lows always lead to the highs, and with the practice and time invested into his club change, Matt is confident his game is on the up.

This long pause on golf that we currently find ourselves in is not necessarily a negative for some players; Matt being one of them. Although he may be out of work for a while, he has the time to work on his game, and his swing, with complete freedom. He does not have to worry about losing ground within tournaments, gaining Ryder Cup points, or falling down the world ranking list following poor results, because nobody else is playing. Players currently have the freedom (albeit using some initiative without access to golf courses) to grind on their own areas for improvement, giving that work as much or as little time as they feel willing. The pressure is off.

Realising this, Matt currently adopted a nice balance between thinking about golf, working on his golf game, and also successfully switching off. Over the last few weeks, I have noticed changes in Matt’s behaviours in his day to day habits, and his responses when having spent time practicing. Typically, the sound of a golf club making contact with a ball rings in my ears when trying to sleep at night, because Matt will watch swing video, after swing video, after swing video. I knew who Rocky was before being introduced to him as Matt’s coach, solely because I recognised him from the endless videos Matt would watch on Youtube!

Recently, the swing videos have gone down – Matt is not meticulously analysing them, and his own, as much as he has done previously when things haven’t been going well. To me, that is a sign that he is seeing positives in his practice. His positivity in response to myself and team members asking how things are going, further signifies to me that the Matt we know from 2018 is slowly making his anticipated return. In addition to this, over the last year, behind closed doors, Matt and the team have spent a lot of time working on his personal growth too. Combining this with the positives he is sharing from his practice, instills belief in me that there are great things ahead for Team Wallace.

We are excited to get going again – whenever that may be – for Matt to compete feeling more confident in his game, to reunite with our tour friends, and to finally reveal some exciting team news.

Our Intended Year

Pre-coronavirus, our plans for 2020 had involved an exciting adventure – a golfer’s American Dream.

With Matt’s qualification for his PGA Tour card, following a successful 2019, we were going to be spending our year based in two different countries. Our year was set out to spend the first half of it in the USA playing on the PGA Tour, and returning home to the UK, and to our friends and family for the second half. We were looking forward to a new experience together, living in a new country, within a different culture, meeting new people, and playing brand new tournaments to us. We were going to miss our European Tour community, but adventure awaited us.

We began preparation for this year in autumn of 2019, spending hours trying to find a rental we could call home. Admittedly, we weren’t helping ourselves find somewhere because we were being particularly fussy! The problem was, we were so desperate to find a place that felt like a holiday space for family and friends who had flights booked to visit us, whilst also having that homely feel for ourselves. Eventually, while Matt was playing in The Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa (one of European Tour’s Rolex series events), the rental we had been hunting for became available – needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity and our excitement for our American adventure began!

We moved over at the beginning of February, and the tournament year was business as usual with Matt competing in Mexico, The Honda Classic, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players, before leading up to the best week of the year: The Masters. Or at least, that was the plan!

Coronavirus & Golf

The reality of coronavirus’ impact on businesses did not truly hit us until the week of The Players.

Following an enjoyable week in Orlando for The Arnold Palmer Invitational, we had arrived at Sawgrass with an unsettling feeling that we probably shouldn’t be there. The updates on the news from Europe were increasing in severity, and honestly, more than fear, there was a part of me that felt guilt. Why were we continuing as usual, when other businesses, families, nations, were suffering? Precautions were in place during the week with hand sanitiser available throughout the clubhouse and golf course. But, walking around a course I usually thoroughly enjoy, I was all too conscious of the general public; the number of people crowded together around a green, and the risks we were all naively taking.

Mumblings of an announcement being made in the afternoon on Thursday started to spread and we were all making predictions about what it might be. It was confirmed at lunchtime, whilst Matt was mid-round, that the tournament would be closed to the public on Friday, through the weekend. Only essential volunteers, family members/player support staff, and players themselves were to be allowed access. It felt a shame to have such an iconic part of the event removed: the crowds around the infamous 17th green – but we were all in agreement that it was a sensible call.

However, some concerns were raised for international players whose countries were giving notice of impending travel bans, and Trumps implementation of a 48 hour deadline for many internationals currently in the USA to catch flights back out.

We continued our usual tournament evening routine, and went to sleep. Late that night we were awoken by a knocking on our bedroom door from Matt’s manager; The Players had announced the full cancellation of the tournament. We would not be playing in the morning. It was a decision by the PGA Tour that every one of us respected, and for international players the next 24 hours became incredibly chaotic with many scrambling to book, pack, and rush to the airport to make the final flights leaving the US to their home countries.

It has been a weird few weeks with no golf – not just because Matt’s work (our every day norm) has halted, but because of the unknown. We have no idea when we will be returning to tournaments, or which event the first one back might be. Every week we have news of upcoming tournaments being postponed or cancelled, new dates presented to replace them…but you can’t really plan for them, because the unknown only seems to get greater each day. Not just within professional sport, but for all of us around the world, within every industry and every family.

I am writing this post during what should have been Masters week. It’s a week every golf fan has highlighted in their calendars. It feels very surreal to be sat here writing this, with the news updating us of the catastrophic impact of this brutal virus, when my calendar pings up reminders of where we should have been, and what we should have been doing.

This week we should have been reuniting with our families, sharing The Masters experience with them all. Matt’s dad should have been caddying at The Par 3 Contest, and we should have been together celebrating Matt’s 30th birthday on Sunday. But, how can you be sad that those things aren’t happening when you see the impacts of this pandemic. It’s a period where the positives feel harder to find, but one positive it has given us is gratitude. Gratitude for our opportunities – the time we could spend with our families, and the fact we could even travel, and play, in an event so iconic in the first place.

When we return to Augusta in November, we will all be taking the time to appreciate and make the most out of every minute we spend, and every memory we create with our families and friends. We will breathe the air in a little deeper, we will stand and admire the view of Magnolia Lane and Amen Corner a little longer, and we will celebrate the week a little harder….simply because we’ve been reminded of just how lucky we are that we can.

Life in Quarantine

Although our adventure has come to an abrupt end, we are doing our best to remain positive. Adventure awaits us again.

Personally, I am keeping positive by taking this opportunity to enjoy the luxury of time. In life, we very rarely get the time to be completely selfish with it. To put ourselves first, to do the things we enjoy. Things as simple as reading a book from beginning to end, or having an evening to pamper ourselves, or going on a long walk in the fresh air. We are always stressed, running around busying ourselves, ensuring we feel productive, or that our day has been important; that if we don’t try to make the most of this time to be selfish with it, to enjoy being a little lazy, watch movies, have a lie in, play with our children, and laugh with our families…then one day – when normality returns –  we will be stressed, busy, and going about life at such a rush again, we will regret not taking this moment to embrace the luxury of time while we were given it. To enjoy this time to do the things that bring us a little happiness.

For Matt, he is embracing this time where his mind is completely free. He is not stressing about perfecting his performance, the details of swing improvements, the impact of results etc. For the first time in a while, he is learning to be relaxed in his head space, and is enjoying having time to connect with golf fans by taking part in podcasts and instagram lives and participating in golf challenges; finding the fun in the game again.

For now, the ‘American Dream’ will have to wait. Our adventure will have a chance again.

As for 2020 – we have not ruled you out yet! Life in general will excite us all once more. We will heal. We will be united with a new appreciation for our loved ones, our freedom to travel, and our possibilities in life – from the simplest luxuries, to the most extravagant. We will make the most of every minute, and every opportunity. And finally; golf will return. Players will compete, fans will cheer, and trophies will be won.

 

 

Until then, please be kind to yourselves, and share your kindness with others.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay positive.

Chelsie x

 

She’s back and she is very sorry!

Firstly, I must apologise for my lack of content over the last few months. In honesty, life got in the way for a while there! It’s been a busy but exciting first half of the year – Matt and I moved into our first house together and I have been totally consumed by all the logistics and exciting stress that comes with buying a house and making it a home.

We are now very settled and proud home owners with new found relationship dynamics – predominantly surrounding the inability for men to put things inside a dishwasher…seriously guys, what is it with that?!

Living and travelling together is definitely an adjustment, but we are finding our flow and enjoying the journey.

Whilst the home excitements have been going on, golf has continued! We have been through Major season and spent plenty of time in the states over the summer months. The first half of the year was a busy one with a more intense travel schedule, but it’s also been incredibly enjoyable experiencing brand-new tournaments to us. So, as we have lots to catch up on, I thought I would share with you 3 of my favourite US based tournaments from the past few months.

The Players Championship

The Players Championship was held in March at Sawgrass Golf Club, and it was one tournament I truly had zero expectations going into. Not being a golfer myself, I hadn’t understood the scale of this tournament, nor it’s popularity.

It didn’t get off to the best first impression when having arrived at the golf club, I went to find the car reserved for Matt for the week. Walking past all the players names and pristine shiny cars in front of them, I strolled past a car covered – and I mean
C O V E R E D – in bird poo. I remember thinking to myself “that’s hilarious. Imagine getting that one, the poor sucker”…5 minutes later, said car was discovered to be ours! Serves me right.

However, from that moment on everything about this tournament had me seriously impressed. The clubhouse was absolutely beautiful, the grass picture perfect green.

The layout of the course is designed for spectator viewing – visibility adds to all events. Nothing is more frustrating than an event that isn’t well equipped for the number of people attending. It’s not fun when it’s a battle to see even a glimpse of a player because there isn’t enough space for the crowd to stand around a green. But here, viewing was a proper experience. Majority of the course, spectators are slightly elevated above the players, creating perfect viewing conditions. Where it’s flat the areas are wide enough, and clear enough, for large crowds to all see what’s being played out in-front of them.

The crowds themselves were amazing. They had real respect and pure enthusiasm for the sport. Especially around the famous 17th hole! I had seen the 17th on TV before, but actually walking up to it with Matt on the practice day, taking in the sheer scale of the empty grandstands in a full circle surrounding it was incredible. I had never seen that much infrastructure around a singular hole before – I knew then I wasn’t prepared for just how amazing this event was going to be. By Thursday, it did not disappoint.

You could hear the buzz of the crowd get louder as you approached hole by hole. The atmosphere made reaching the 17th really exciting. This was probably also helped by being two groups being Tiger – there really is nothing quite like a Tiger roar!

The boom of the cheers, jokes, jibes or random outbursts from the crowds are not something we are used to in Europe – and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. But here, there was something different about the cheers and gags coming from the crowd that didn’t seem so invasive compared to other events we’d experienced. Of course, there was still the odd idiot that would be too drunk and shout at the wrong time, but there’s always one! In general, this event just felt fun.

We decided to have a team house this week. We don’t normally do this, but Matt wanted to try something new! Although it was admittedly a little intense being in a house full of ‘golf pervs’ (definition: those completely obsessed with golf they’re unable to stop talking about it for even a second), it was also a lot of fun! We socialised by having other players and their partners over for dinner and ate great food all week – it’s little things like that that can add to our experience, when we’re able to have fun away from the golf course too. Especially following a day that may not quite have gone our way!

The Players is an event I came home from, knowing I would recommend to people 100 times over. We finished the week not as well as we would have liked to, but we really enjoyed it regardless of the result and are looking forward to next year!

 

The Masters

You don’t have to be a golfer to know how iconic an event it is.

Before I met Matt and golf became the epicentre of my world, even I – the girl that used to read a kids ‘how to’ golf book to understand what on earth Matt was talking about going on about birdies and bogeys on our dates – had seen snippets of The Masters on TV and knew all about the significance of the green jacket.

Previously in our relationship (prior to Matt’s European Tour accredidation) it would be the only tournament I would agree to watch with Matt from start to finish, staying up till the early hours with him. We would chat and daydream together about us being there one day, getting lost in our favourite discussion: what menu Matt would host for his Champions Dinner (this remains his favourite dinner table discussion). It became a little annual routine I would look forward to.

This year however, we didn’t watch it together – we experienced it together. Matt competed in his first Masters tournament, and it was everything we could have imagined and more!

Getting on our flight from London, I can only describe us as two kids on their way to Disneyland. Ultimately, that’s what the Masters is: a golfers Disney! The excitement of knowing we were on our way to compete in a tournament that Matt had always dreamed about, amongst the best players in the game, was overwhelming.

We were driven to the course by the Sky Sports team, and the reality of driving down Magnolia Lane for the first time raised real emotion for Matt. He took a moment of peaceful reflection for himself, recognising just how much he had achieved in the last two years. Even in the rain, there’s a real beauty about it that hushes you all into silence. Perhaps it’s the history; the significance of it.

The Sunday prior to the tournament, only past champions are invited to play the course with a guest. Matt was given the opportunity to do so with Sir Nick Faldo – and what an opportunity it was! No spectators are able to pass the 1st tee that day, meaning we got to experience the course in complete isolation and all of its glory. In the sunshine, the pink azaleas were gleaming against the contrast of the pristine green fairways. The only sounds were that of birds and muffled golf shots the further round the course we got. Walking through Amen Corner almost untouched, for the first time, was truly special – I know for Matt it is a moment he will never forget and be forever grateful for.

For me, my highlight of the week was undoubtedly the Par 3 Contest!

However, if you’d told me that the night before I wouldn’t have believed you. I was so nervous! Matt wasn’t playing until 3pm so he could utilise the day to practice – for me however, I spent the whole day feeling incredibly anxious. It sounds ridiculous – I’m not even the one playing! But, my fear stemmed from knowing I would be inside the ropes when I am so used to being outside them, hidden within the crowds. I have never been a personality that likes to be the centre of attention; I hated anything and everything that involved performing or standing in-front of a crowd. I prefer to blend in than stand out…(although I did have to learn the hard way that this is almost impossible when you’re taller than the crowd)!

It was looking like a disaster waiting to happen acting as caddy, when dressed in my boiler suit it took 4 attempts for me to manage to pick up the golf bag correctly…on camera. I had agreed with Matt I would take a putt rather than a swing when it was the ‘caddy’s’ turn to have a go –  I felt the risk of multiple spectators heading to A&E on my account was pretty high! With this decision, Matt made me go and practice a few on the little putting green…my pride was swiftly knocked realising I was the only one in a boiler suit attempting to putt that was over the age of 5!

I could feel the number of people watching at this point, the part I had been so nervous about, and it stayed that way for the first hole. But once we’d got through the first, the crowd just became silhouettes and a blur of noise cheering us on. We played with two of Matt’s good friends on the tour – Eddie Pepperell and Danny Willett – whose little boys made it so entertaining. It was all just a bit of fun…but classic Matt took it pretty seriously, partook in a play-off, and consequently won!

Everybody says winning the Par 3 is a curse – nobody has ever won the Par 3 and gone on to win The Masters in the same week. As of 2019, the curse continues.

Although, it wasn’t only Matt that had a win that day. I’ll just leave this here…

Is there room for two golf stars in one relationship?

For the tournament, spectators are able to watch from Monday. Usually, the practice days are pretty quiet with the main flow of tickets starting on Thursday. This is not the case at The Masters – there is a higher number of spectators able to attend on the practice days than the tournament days. This means there is a real buzz in atmosphere from the get-go, which well and truly caught Matt up. We could not get him off the course!

This buzz made the tournament feel like it had already begun. With that, a lot of energy was used predominantly from excitement, and ultimately made the week feel very long in the end. This is definitely something Matt and the team have learnt from our first Master’s debut, and will be taking on board for 2020.

The experience behind the ropes for the week was the best I have experienced to date.

Firstly, due to the control of tickets released there was never a problem with visibility – I could see every shot, putt and facial expression Matt made all week. Secondly, I was a big fan of the concession stands. Maybe I am easily pleased, but the organisation of the concession stands amazed me. Not only was the service incredibly fast and efficient, meaning there weren’t long queues making noise that might travel across to where the golfers are focusing, but it was also sooo cheap! It cost me $5 for a sandwich and a large soft drink. And best yet, there were healthy options. Normally at the golf, it’s burgers, hot dogs, chips and all things fast food on offer. It was nice to be able to grab a light bite or some fruit, and to miss barely any golf when doing so. It’s only a little thing, but it genuinely added to my experience.

Finally, the restriction on phones within the grounds made the experience so much better – there were no phones held in the air taking videos of every player blocking the view, or noise distractions from somebody who forgot to put their phone on silent. The course was filled with people intently watching and appreciating the talent of the sportsmen in-front of them. I really loved the way it united everyone there and brought them back to what matters; enjoyment. Being in the moment.

Although Matt missed the cut, we thoroughly enjoyed the week and can’t wait to return in 2020! We didn’t break the curse, but forever in The 2019 Masters history will be written:”Par 3 Winner: Matt Wallace. Masters Champion: Tiger Woods” and I think that’s pretty special.

The PGA Championship 

This years PGA Championship was held in Bethpage, New York. This was great for two reasons: 1- getting to explore the city during the week, and 2- the wild New Yorker’s in the crowd!

The course itself was a public course – the clubhouse and its hospitality were great. I really liked walking this course as every hole was visually different. There are some weeks on tour that after the first day, I know it’s going to feel like a long week just because the course is very flat, or a bit repetitive to walk. Bethpage was definitely a tough walk – there was a lot of hills to climb – but, my favourite courses to spectate are those that have something about them!

Being located just outside New York was so much fun. On the practice days – since living together –  I try to make sure they are spent apart where possible so each of us get some space. This week, a group of ladies from the European Tour got together to go and see a Broadway show! It was a first experience for me, and it was such a great way to spend some time with friends. We went to see Aladdin and it was brilliant, I highly recommend it. Arranging a girls day out is the highlight to every week!

There was no holding back from the crowds at Bethpage! In honesty, there were definitely times walking around on my own that it got a little intimidating in compact areas – but when the crowds are that upbeat, it’s impossible for me to feel nervous watching Matt because you get completely caught up in their energy too.

The best example of this, was on the final day. Brooks as usual in Majors was leading the way and it didn’t seem anybody was going to catch up to him with the windy conditions that afternoon. But, as the afternoon progressed, Dustin Johnson started making some birdies and it begun to look pretty promising for him to have a chance. This was fully embraced by the crowds – at the start of the day, Brooks was their king – in the last 9 holes that all changed. I was stood on the 17th green squeezed in a crowd of very drunk men, with a leaderboard directly in-front of us. Every time DJ birdied the crowd went CRAZY – I’m talking beers thrown in the air, jumping up and down, ear drum busting loud cheers – and suddenly when Brooks birdied, they booed! I have never witnessed anything like it.

It seems fickle, but it all stemmed from the crowds just wanting a bit of extra excitement for the title. Matt was playing really well, but at this point we knew he wasn’t going to win. Knowing our round was finishing, his manager and I could start to relax, and took the atmosphere all in. We were laughing at just how mental this event had suddenly become! As soon as it became clear DJ wasn’t going to do it, the love went straight back to Brooks. It really did make the afternoon highly entertaining!

Matt proudly finished 3rd; his greatest Major achievement to date.

For anybody wishing they had been there, The Ryder Cup is being hosted here in 2024 and I’m already excited for it. It will be one hell of an event – the course is great fun, the crowds are insane, and you’ve got the city on the doorstep. What more could you need!

 

Overall, this summer has had plenty of highlights for us, as well as memorable events. Some of these include going on an amazing holiday just the two of us (with zero golf I will add), Matt being paired with Tiger in The Open Championship, and generally just continuing to enjoy this lifestyle not taking a second for granted, and having fun with our friends on tour. Of course – as with anything – where there are highs, there are also lows, which this year has definitely tested. But, they’re a whole other discussion I will save for another day!

All three of the events I have mentioned stood out for me for their spectator visibility, and their atmosphere. This is definitely something we experienced more of in the US, but you can’t beat the variation in cultures and places we get to visit every week on The European Tour. And with that, we are looking forward to being back in Europe for a great end of year!

Have you ever wondered as a golf fan, what goes on ahead of the tournament? What a week in their lives is really like? Or maybe, since reading my previous blog you’re wondering what ‘life on tour’ truly means?

Well, in this post I’m taking you through a week in my shoes.

MONDAY

Travel & Practice Days. 

The beginning of any week for us is used for travel. Depending on where in the world we are, we will make our way to the next destination on the Sunday evening or Monday morning. Once arrived, Monday is where the work begins – we fight the jet lag, and focus on the tournament ahead.

One of Matts greatest traits is his work ethic. He is without a doubt one of the hardest workers I have ever encountered, addicted to improving himself and bettering his game every day. There are a few reasons behind this: on one hand, it’s the competitor within him – his sportsman genes, believing there is always room for improvement and not stopping until he sees it.

On the other hand, it’s related to self worth. As mentioned in my previous post, Matt is still catching up with the success he has had. To be competing against his idols, on this platform, week in week out remains a dream come true – let alone being 38th in the world! Matt works incredibly hard to prove – to himself, and his competitors – that he deserves to be here.

We tend to spread the course of the day across three areas: the range – the putting green – the course. Having selected a time with a group of 3 or 4 players, we head onto the course to play 9 holes. After that, we’ll go back and forth from the range and the putting green throughout the day until Matt is satisfied he’s put as much work in as possible. That the work done, was effective and worthwhile – practice smart as he would say!

For me, I like to be present and involved. Practice days can often be seen as days to spend apart, for exploring the area, or getting your own things achieved. Personally, I believe that to truly feel a part of the team, you’ve got to be a part of the grind. The hard graft that most don’t see – the less exciting, less ‘glamorous’ moments of life on tour.

When I was working in London and used my annual leave to support Matt, I made sure to be present for our relationship – making the most of my time with Matt for those few days together. Now, I do it for team commitment; enhancing my understanding towards golf and the ways in which Matt works. I get to ask questions, learn new terminology, and witness conversations between player and caddy.

However, my favourite part of practice days – where you have the ability to walk inside the ropes – is getting to witness the sportsmanship between players. They share tips, tricks, and techniques. You will often see one player ask another to look at part of their game, give them a bit of advice – from something as simple as recommending clubs, balls, or favourite shoes, to watching & commenting on their putts – anything and everything that they believe helps them play their best. I truly admire this about many of the players – regardless of the fact that come Thursday they are competing against one another as individuals, they consistently share and learn from each other. They aren’t a team, but they behave like team mates.

They say golf is a gentleman’s sport. Now, I understand why.

TUESDAY

Practice Days.

Tuesdays are similar to Mondays. The only difference being that we play the opposite 9 holes to the day before.

Usually, we get to the course by 10am at the latest – Matt likes to get up and go, seize the day! However, by no means does starting early, mean we leave early. You can bet that Matt will be one of the last to leave the golf club…every. single. week.

Some days I will sit and watch him hit every ball, see every strike and every putt for hours and hours on end. For a golf fan, that might sound like a perfect day…when you’re not physically involved, nor an expert golf enthusiast, there are moments when it’s painfully dull. No offence Matt…

But, we try to make practice as enjoyable as possible for the both of us. We spend the day chatting about anything and everything in-between golf talk, or laughing continuously at one of the numerous stories Dave McNeilly (Matt’s caddy) tells. Dave has been on tour for 37 years, and caddied for some of golfs greatest! His experience alongside his Irish charm, makes for an entertaining team mate – the man is a walking library, bursting with stories to share…albeit mainly those of fiction!

Other days, I might disappear for a few hours and take some ‘me’ time. Whether that be picking up necessities from the shops, finding somewhere to sit and plan these blogs, or exploring the local area for the week; I believe it to be important to do things for ourselves individually too. Plus, there really is only so much golf talk, or sports talk in general, one girl can take! (Why is it that no matter where you go in the world, or how many minutes they’ve known each other, men always manage to find a way to debate football?!)

In Dubai, I started bringing a book onto the range with me. One of my 2019 New Years resolutions is to read more -to take the time to do something that brings me calmness and that I enjoy. I love finding a great book – the novelty of being taken to a completely different place, worlds away from your reality, page by page – not a trait Matt and I share!

In this era of technology, I often catch myself glued to my phone, scrolling mindlessly – especially on tour during moments where I’m unable to contribute. Some weeks make being a part of the process particularly difficult, and my phone becomes the only source of entertainment available to me.

These are the weeks ‘local security’ take their role a little too intensely, displaying a worrying lack of common sense, glued to the instruction to only follow the passes printed on the board for each area. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for security and protecting the players, but I can’t say I understand how a player with credentials saying “this is my girlfriend/wife and I’d like her in here with me” is presenting a threat to themselves or those around them.

The days when it’s easier to walk away than fight our corner, I have to watch Matt from behind a rope or fence. These, are the bad days – being forced out the team preparation by a cardboard sign. If it’s a location with not a lot around, the day becomes a time killing game. If there’s plenty to do, somewhere to explore, or social spaces in the hotel, then I will disappear and do my own thing – albeit a little reluctantly.

Generally though, the practice days are my favourite moments in the week. They’re the only days you really get time together, both as a team, and a couple. From Thursday, I’m behind the ropes like everyone else, so I treasure the first few days. I love the day times for contributing to the team and being involved, and the evenings more so for the time together we get to make the most of. Knowing we don’t have an early tee time, or a game face to prepare. Matt is relaxed, and settling into the weeks location. These moments are ours; to simply enjoy.

WEDNESDAY

Ladies Day.

Ladies day is without a doubt, the biggest contributor to making life on tour a community. Women of all ages, cultures, nationalities, circumstances, and stories come together with one thing in common: life with a professional golfer.

Our ladies days vary in activity; it might be a lunch event, a day out, educational and cultural visits, or simply exploring the area together. A few examples being a visit to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, pottery making in Turkey, visiting a historic island in Lake Garda, a lunch cruise in Dubai, game drives in South Africa, and gin making in St Andrews.

They’re an opportunity for the girls to dress up a little, put some makeup on, and enjoy a day for ourselves, chatting to our hearts content. But more than anything; it’s a day for us to build friendships, share advice, and receive support from a group of girls – the only girls in the world – that can relate to you, your lifestyle, and the various troubles that might come your way.

The concept of Ladies Day receives a variety of opinions, and not all partners want to be a part of them. But in honesty, for us as a European Tour community, they are so important. They aren’t about ‘glamour’ or ‘luxury lifestyle’.  The truth is, life on tour can be incredibly lonely – for both players and partners – especially, when things aren’t going well on the course.  As girls, there comes a point when you’re gagging for an escape from golf, and want nothing more than gossip and girl talk! Having the opportunity to come together, and have the time to get to know one another is a genuine pleasure, and in many ways; a saving grace.

I have met some of the most incredible women. Many, friends for life. They are not the stereotypical ‘wag’ – in fact, we hate that term! The women I have met on this tour are women with independence, careers, education, and aspirations. They are women with kind hearts, the patience of saints, and all of whom have made compromises, sacrifices, or changes to their lifestyles, to support the dreams their partners are achieving.

Together, we share new relationships, tournament wins, engagements, weddings, and pregnancies. We witness each other – and our partners – grow both as teams, and professionals.

The days themselves can vary from a few hours, to an entire day. If they’re just a few hours I personally use the rest of this day as time for myself. To enjoy some time apart from Matt, and do or see anything that I want to while in that country or area. Sometimes, it might be something as simple as sitting in the sun, with a drink or a book, watching the world go by. Other days, a couple of the girls might decide to do something together – head to the beach, explore the area a bit more, or grab lunch. We like to make the most of girl time!

Our ladies days could be described as well needed therapy sessions! But one thing is for certain – I will always return with a stronger friendship. A friendship that travels the world with me.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

Tournament Days – Pre Cut. 

Tournament days very much vary week to week – both time wise, and emotionally! Wednesday night is always very chilled, and we will usually have a relatively early night regardless of whether Thursday’s tee time is morning or afternoon.

The routine is similar every day: breakfast, car to club, prep begins. For myself, I balance time between being a part of the prep, and leaving Matt to himself to focus. When I leave him be, I disappear off to the players lounge, grab myself some food whilst chatting to the other girls or players who might be in there, and make Matt (and Dave) a sandwich to have when out on the course.

I try to get to the tee 5 or so minutes before Matt tees off, to give him his grub, but more importantly to have a little moment to wish him a good day before I become a blur in the crowds.

I walk all 18 holes every day, and I absolutely love it. I find the walk calming on the first day – and when Matt’s playing well! However, over the course of the week emotions can fluctuate greatly and the walk can be anything but calm! Depending on where Matt is in relation to the cut mark on the back 9, Friday’s can either be a chilled or an incredibly nervous few hours. There are many times you might spot me trying to hide behind a tree, as if in any way hiding myself from Matt’s potential view will help a putt drop! Really, it’s just an illogical way for me to handle my nerves….

Following Matt round – and having been a part of the process prior to it – I tend to feel every high and every low that he does. I can tell from his body language before the bad word comes out his mouth! The hardest part, is that when it’s not necessarily going great, or he’s having a little run of bad luck or bad putts; I’m unable to say or do anything, or even engage with him at all.

You’re held back from them by a rope. But that simple barrier, emotionally, can seem a lot bigger. On the bad days, all you want to do is give them a hug and comfort them – as you would if you were at home. But you can’t. So the fluctuating emotions stay within you for the entire round, just as they do with him. I feel nerves, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get sad for him, I get excited. As a partner – and I’m sure as a player – you can go through every single emotion possible within one round.

If Friday hasn’t gone the way we all want, and you’re heading home early with a missed cut – its an unhappy weekend! Missed cuts are the worst days. They come home with you both. It’s sometimes hard to best handle player disappointment or frustration – as a loved one, it’s easy to be the scape goat – and it’s these days that can be the loneliest as a girl on tour. You’re sharing a hotel room, and you can’t give them the space they probably want or would have at home. So you end up adding to the frustration by just being in the way. Or saying the wrong thing –  predominately from a failure of truly understanding what’s going  round and round in their mind: golf.

In honesty, experience has helped better handle bad days for the both of us. For Matt, he’s learnt to see the positives (…eventually), and to allow himself a period to be frustrated before using it as drive for bettering the next round, or the next week. For me, I’ve learnt to give him some time and space to be alone, and find my own escape for an hour or so.

Regardless of making or missing the cut, practice continues. We’ll be on the range, and the putting green until: its dark, we feel ready for the next day, or we have a flight to catch! Thankfully, the latter hasn’t been the case for us for a little while – minus Saudi. Although, I wasn’t there to deal with it, and following a tough grind to result in a very successful week in Dubai, Matt was exhausted and ready for some home comforts.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Tournament Days – Looking for the Win.

The transition from Friday to the weekend is a fun one. It’s when the competition really starts! The crowds increase, along with the buzz, and the roar of cheers round the course for birdies and better.

For the players the grind continues preparing for their final round. Matt will work just as hard, if not harder, as the days progress. The fire within him really gets going on a Sunday. No matter where on the leaderboard he is, he will fight to climb to the top.

I love the weekends for the atmosphere – especially when Matt is in contention! The enthusiastic spectators bring out everyones excitement – even if I’m trying to stay calm, my tummy will flutter with every cheer. When he’s not necessarily in contention but has a chance with a low round, I’ve learnt to stay patient. And surprisingly even more so if he is the current leader at the start of the day.

One of the best pieces of advice shared with me by another girl on tour, is to remain neutral with no expectations on a final day; because it all comes down to the back 9. Everything can change. That very same week at the Italian Open 2017, Matt and I were faced with exactly that. After holding the lead for 3 days, the leaders completely shifted on Sunday’s back 9; resulting in a 4th place for us.

It may not have been the result he had wanted, but Matt’s chip on 17 that day will forever remain one of my favourite memories, and most exciting moments on tour!

Did you hear that roar? It’s the first real moment of golf excitement I had ever been a part of. I will never be able to describe just how immense it was, or how engulfing the atmosphere became. THAT, is what Sunday’s are about. It’s the sound players live for!

More often than not, our flight home or to the next tournament is on a Sunday evening. When it’s been a good week – but not the win – post round, it’s a process of interviews, gathering our things from the locker room, and heading to the airport. Tour life continues, flowing into the next week; re-focusing without a second thought.

For the wins, flights are happily missed. The atmosphere is still going, spectator celebrations are getting started, and you get to enjoy being wrapped up in it too. With the whole team there, the drinks and the cheers flow, enjoying a moment all together to celebrate the achievement. I say this…my only experience of celebration was in Dubai when fighting for second place felt like one to celebrate. I am yet to be present at any of Matt’s wins…so far its been tears of joy shared down a dodgy wifi call – but there’s still time!

If there’s one thing I know with certainty; there are plenty more wins ahead for Team Wallace.