First off, great news about our Bible Study leader Tom Randall getting back home safe from the Philippines.  He was very fortunate to get a woman judge who was honest.  She interviewed the 11 year old boy and his mom who accused Tom of kidnapping.  It turned out they were very poor, and their story just wouldn’t stand up.  She dropped all the charges, but there were some policemen who weren’t too happy about how things turned out.  But Tom was able to see all his kids at the orphanage and school, and to really encourage them.  I have no doubt that he was a great example to everyone there and on tour of what true commitment to the Lord looks like.  He got into ministry not to be safe but to be lead by the Lord to serve others.  He felt the Lord calling him back there no matter if it meant being free, imprisoned or killed.  That kind of trust and faith is amazing, and also inspiring.  It will be so joyous to see him again next week at the ‘Church on the Move’ which is what he calls our Bible Study. 

We just played the Boeing Classic in Seattle where I came in second to Tom Kite by 2 shots.  I had a two shot lead going into the last round, and I didn’t realize it, but it’s the first time I’ve lead after 2 rounds of a Champions Tour tournament.  I think I can get used to it though!

I played really well the first round tee to green.  I missed one green off the edge, and putted for 18 birdies.  ‘Only’ made 5 and 3 of them were within 4 feet, so I had to settle for a 67J  It was a great feeling to hit the ball so straight, solid and hit so many good shots.  Obviously, even the misses were going pretty straight.  The putter was just so-so, but I made a couple good putts toward the end. 

The second round I didn’t hit the ball as well.  But then again, how often are you going to hit it that well.  I still drove it pretty well, a lot of good iron shots, but my putter got hot.  I shot 31 the back nine for a 66 and the two shot lead.  I had 24 putts!  I just finally started to feel I was rolling the ball on my line and had great speed.  Funny enough, I missed a 2 foot birdie putt on the 8^th hole, before one putting I think 8 of the last 10 holes. 

The last round I started well, and hit the first 7 greens, and made 2 birdies.  But then hit a bad shot on the 8^th and made my first bogey of the week.  Tom Kite decided to go ahead and play the last 11 holes in 5 under par.  Geeze!  I had some chances the back nine, but it just didn’t seem to go my way.  I didn’t hit my irons as well as I had been, and then after making a lot of good putts, I missed a 2 footer on the 16^th hole.  I birdied the last hole to come in 2^nd.  They put on such a great tournament, on one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever played.  It’s a shame to come so close and not win, but I still felt good overall about my play.  And I can think of one proud Texan who’s pretty happy right now!

Cheryl and I had a busy week in Seattle.  We had a dinner at Scott Oki’s restaurant Nishino which is fantastic.  He asked if I could donate a night for an auction they were doing for inner city boy scouts.  What a great cause, and it turned out to be a great night.  We had dinner with Phil Smart Sr. and Jr. and their wives.  We told them that we were heading to Italy next month for a vacation.  Phil Sr. found out we were going to be driving around, and said he once drove around Italy in a truck:  It was in 1944 with General Patton after working his way up from North Africa!!  How wild is that.  And after fighting the Nazi’s he opened one of the first Mercedes Benz dealerships in America about 14 years after WWII. 

They are Christians also, and it was a very encouraging night.  Phil Jr. said he had read the book I did with Larry Mize and Loren Roberts and we talked about that.  Phil Sr, asked if I prayed on the golf course, and for what?  I said I do and it’s usually for peace, and for His will to be done.  I also often remind myself how fortunate I am to play golf for a living and how thankful I am to God for all His blessings, and even the struggles and failings that I can learn from.  He said that the most important thing he’s learned is that his prayers never get a busy signal!  I love that, because God is God, and His love for us truly is beyond our understanding, and He is always there for those who seek Him.

We also had a few other dinners with our friends from the tour, and another friend Dan Mahowald who I played with last year in the pro-am and who works for SAP.  Great times, and some great wines.  It was a busy, but great week in many ways I guess!

We also had a chance to go see the Mariners play Saturday night after the round.  I got done late and we couldn’t get there until the 4^th inning. Unfortunately the Mariners are about as good as the Padres this year.  Ouch!  They lost, but also like the Padres they play in a beautiful new ballpark which was fantastic.  We had a great night with my caddy Doug, his sister Mary, Dave Marr of Golf Channel fame, and his wife Kim.  It was so fun, with lots of kidding around, often about politics since we have good natured disagreements.  Yes, it is possible to disagree and still have fun discussing politics and religion, and I think that’s the way it should be.  . 

So now we’re heading home for a couple days before I head to Monterey for the Wal-Mart First Tee Championship.  Cheryl is staying home getting ready for a month in Italy. I have 10 days after the Wal-Mart to work out, and host the Scott Simpson H.B.I.C. pro-am at Hacienda C.C.  Then I join her in Italy for a 20 day vacation with Brea, my brother Dave, his wife Jeanette, and no golf clubs.  Yeah!!!  Now that sounds like a real vacation. 

I’m looking forward to this week and will be practicing to see if I can find that swing from Bend and the first round in Seattle.  I know it’s not far off, and it’s just really encouraging also to see some putts go in.  Can’t score without making some putts.  God bless you all.